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Essays, Proofs, Officials and Telegraphs

An essay is a design for a proposed stamp submitted to the postal authorities for consideration but not used, or used after alterations have been made.By contrast, a proof is a trial printing of an accepted stamp.

Both essays and proofs are rare, as usually just a few are produced. Although intended for internal use by printers and official bodies, essays sometimes find their way on to the philatelic market.
 

Official mail is mail sent from, or by an authorised department of government and normally has some indication that it is official, for instance,  I.R for inland revenue purposes.

Telegraph stamps were stamps specially printed for the payment of telegraph fees. The customer completed a telegraph form before handing it with payment to the clerk who applied a telegraph stamp and cancelled it to show that payment had been made.