Lot 849

1899-1901 set of 17 to 5r, in...

Stamps and Postal History of the World | 5938

Auction: 22 November 2022 at 00:00 GMT

£2,000

Description

1899-1901 set of 17 to 5r, in matching IMPERFORATE lower right corner blocks of 4 on ungummed wmkd paper, from the De La Rue registration sheets, all but the ½a and 4r (unmarked) with handstamped date in blue or black (4½a blue-black, 7½a, 2r, 5r), except the 8a with blue circular H/S ('PASSED/7 APR 99/initials), and the 2½a with M/S date and initials. The blocks with black date additionally with M/S initials, while the 2a and 1a carmine show additional pencil endorsements, the former reading 'Passed by Dr M'. Odd minor soiling and creasing but a beautiful and highly important set, unique with the dates and endorsements, documenting the production of this issue. The low values (printed in sheets 6x10) dated between '6 MAR 99' and '11 APR 99' except the 1901 new colours 1a (3 MAY 1901) and 4½a (10 MAY 1901) and the 2½a (9 May 1901, clearly from a later printing), the rupee values (printed in sheets 6x5) between '16 MAR 99' and '24 APR 99'. Neatly mounted on six exhibition pages.