Auction 309-320 - Australian States & Commonwealth British Africa, St. Helena - Day 1

1884/97: Imperforate Plate Proof for the 2½ d. value in issued colour of ultramarine, backed onto card, initialled "BLS" in red ink manuscript by the Crown Agents for approval (12 June 1893). One other example is recorded, ex 'Justine' collection, however that example has suffered an attempt to remove the "BLS" initials. Illustrated in "The De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP on page 5616. Superb and very rare.rnrnProvenance: Collection John Ayre / 'Jamestown', Harmers, London, 8 March 1989, lot 1165.