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

1901: De La Rue Artist's composite Essay for the Edward VII key-plate design with photographic Head-Plate, hand-painted background in black (without country legend or Duty Plate) and hand-drawn perforations around edge, Die sunk in brown thick card (56 x 77 mm.) with manuscript date "May 20 -1901" at top and "Approved WHM" (Mercer) in manuscript. Ex De La Rue archives (pencil note on reverse 'Lot 4, 1-5-46', unillustrated in "The De La Rue Collection". Unique and splendid Proof.rnrnProvenance: Collection John Ayre / 'Jamestown', Harmers, London, 8 March 1989, lot 1336.rn