he worked as a book illustrator in New York City.
He joined the ABNC in 1864 and then moved in 1874
to the Continental BNCo and stayed there until retirement in June 1911.
#234
The design was created by Alfred S. Major. The
stamp paid the 1/2oz international postal rate,
which was the lowest and most used international
postal rate, hence this stamp is quite common. A
huge total of 35 million stamps were printed.
The frame was engraved by Douglas P. Ronaldson,
the image is from a painting by the Czech painter Václav Brožík.
The engraving of the picture (or vignette) was created by Charles Skinner.
Interestingly this is the only Columbian stamp issued
whilst the artist was still alive. The painting
was created in 1884 and is now located in the dining room
of the Hotel Manoir Richelieu in Quebec, Canada.
Douglas S. Ronaldson was born in 1825 in England, died in 1902.
He came in 1840 to Philadelphia and worked there until 1858 as an engraver.
From the ABNC, he was employed in 1860 and remained even after the merger there until 1897.
At that time he joined the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and worked there until his death.
Charles Skinner, born in 1841, died on 14th March 1932. In the early 60s
he worked as a book illustrator in New York City.
He joined the ABNC in 1864 and then moved in 1874
to the Continental BNCo and stayed there until retirement in June 1911.
234
The original painting by Václav Broží
The picture can now be found in the dining room of the
Hotel Manoir Richelieu in Quebec, Canada.
The painting can be seen on the far wall.
Photograph courtesy of the Hotel Manior Richelieu
All rights reserved
Václav Broží
(1851-1901)
234-E4
Columbian Large Die Essay on India
Die Sunk on Card
234TC1
Large Die Trial Color Proof on India
Printed on card
A pane of 100 of #234
#234 on a souvenir card from the Columbian Exposition