Lot 523
1901 (July 22) composite artist's essay for...
Stamps and Postal History of the World | 5938
Auction: 22 November 2022 at 00:00 GMT
Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500
Description
1901 (July 22) composite artist's essay for the KEVII 1902-11 2a value, comprising a cut-down die proof of the 1882-90 QV 2a in black on glazed card, extensively modified by the insertion of a photographic head of the King and a separate hand-painted crown above, with the upper and lower tablet inscriptions (and a fancy dotted border around the portrait) hand-painted in Chinese white. The design with simulated perforations outside the frame and the whole sunk-mounted in card (57x78mm), with M/S date and initials on the surround. A unique and highly important essay, prepared six months after the death of Queen Victoria, but nearly two years before this value was actually issued. [The changes to the previous QV design were necessitated by the desire to include the crown above the portrait, leading to the transposition of the 'TWO ANNAS' and 'INDIA POSTAGE' tablets]. Ex De La Rue archives.
