Auction 333-341 Western Australia & Great Britain - Day 3

1878/79: Plate Proofs for Fugitive Ink Trials conducted on the 1858/79 1 d. red, pl. 191, lettered RC-RD / SC-SD, an unused imperforate block of four printed in rose-red, with large margins all round, superb impressions of rich colour, diagonal crease that does not detract from the wonderful appearance, unused without gum. An exceptional multiple from these Trials, this block adjoining the pair RA-RB which 'Besançon' re-united after more than a century. A spectacular multiple of the greatest rarity. The Karl Louis Card Index only records three singles AD, BD and CD plus the pair RA-RB and this block of four in unused condition. A few more 1 d. from pl. 191, imperf. are recorded bearing trial concelllations or pen strokes. Cert. BPA (1996) Gi DP39 = £ 68'000.
Provenance: Phillips, London, 12 Oct 1989, lot 208; Collection 'Tes', Spink, London, 5 Oct 1995, lot 172.