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

1848, 1 d. red, plate 70, lettered PK, Henry Archer Roulette Trail, approx. gauge 11.5 to three sides, the P row being top of the trial part sheet from plate 70 (PA-TL) and thus cut straight, unused, no gum, very fresh and fine, comes matched with a used example from the same plate and position. Cert. RPSL (1948). Gi SG16b = £15'000.rnRemark: The formerly adjoining pair PJ-PK in the H.P.Manus collection (sold by Plumridges 27 Oct. 1932, lot 13) and the adjoining single PL (ex. Maurice Burrus collection, Robson Lowe, 30 Oct. 1964, lot 149), clearly demonstrate that all stamps from the 'P' row were cut by scissors and represented the upper row of the block rouletted given to Rowland Hill.rnReference: "Stamp Perforation: The Somerset House Years 1848 to 1880", by R. Simpson & P. Sargent, Plate 1. rnProvenance: Colonel Bates Collection, Harmer, 3-5 December 1934, lot 654;   Harmer, 18-20 July 1938, lot 468; Morten Bond Collection, Harmer, 11-12 March 1946, lot 466.rn                   rn