Auction 309-320 - Great Britain 1840–1841 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

1850, Prince Consort Essay, 1 d. red-brown, lettered FJ, Archer Perf. 16, deep colour, vibrant printing, from plate position 'J', aligned to the right, without gum, toned, small corner crease and tiny tear, blunt lower right corner, although still very attractive, very rare essay, perforated upon the Archer machines to enable him to demonstrate his offer to produce perforate surface printed postage stamps on more favourable terms than the exisiting contract; there are only five known examples in red-brown which are perforated gauge 16, two are offered in this sale. DP71(3)a = £25'000. rnReference: Queen Victoria Specialised Catalogue, Volume 1, 16th Edition, page 27. rnProvenance: Grosvenor, London, 30-31 October 2013, lot 244.