Auction 321 - 332 Australian States & Commonwealth of Australia, St. Helena, Basutoland, Bechuanaland, Swaziland, Brazil 1843 –1870 - Day 1

1900: Essay for Empire Patriotic Fund Issue, 2 d. Essay hand-drawn in pencil and hand-painted artwork for proposed "Victoria Cross" design in shades of black and grey with Duty Plate highlighted in green and central vignette in Chinese white, imperforate on thin card and affixed to a larger card (60 x 92 mm.), and the design for "Postage" added at the sides in manuscript. Endorsed at top "2nd Prize W.H.W" and noted "1d. One Penny" at base. Illustrated in "The Stamps of Victoria" by Geoff Kellow RDP on page 283. A unique and spectacular Essay.rnrnProvenance: Collection J.R.W. Purves, RL, Geneva, 27 Nov 1980, lot 2211.rn                     Collection Rod Perry, DF, Zurich, 4-11 Dec 1988, lot 31179.rn                     Prestige, Melbourne, 22 April 2006, lot 421.