Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas Americas (North, Central & South America) - Day 1

1863: Coat of Arms, ½ r. blue, in a paler shade, plate 1, block of fifteen (5 x 3), unused, original gum, clean fresh colour, showing the prominent "Crack in Plate" running vertically down the three stamps on the left, very dramatic, the perforations are also partial, the punch being blunt at this stage in the life of the machine, a very fine example of this eye catching variety, rare. Ex the Brian Moorhouse Estate.
Remark: It is recorded that at some point prior to July 1875 the 1 real plate 1 developed a serious crack. The crack affected three positions on the plate - positions 1, 11 and 21. Printings from this plate in its late state were a paler colour.