Lot
1407 
Paid Reply Postal Card, Robert W. Mercer Essays, 1¢ + 1¢ on wove, first and second style, first design with "U.S." comprising two examples, one on buff card and other on 17 g/4 smoky v. faint o-yellow thin wove card second design with "U.S." removed with three examples on different shades of card: Off-White, Light Gray and Pinkish Buff, F.-V.F. USPCC No. MR1E-A, B $2,050.
The elimination of the "U.S." in the second design was likely in response to the Post Office Department's objections to the earlier essay.
Realized: $950