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

1840: "VR" 1 d. black, lettered FG, struck with trial cancellation of concentric rings, of which an official experimental attempt at removal was undertaken, margins clear to large, save for clipped lower right corner, otherwise a fine and rare example of Rowland Hill`s cancellation trials Gi. V1 = £22,500.

Though prepared in April, 1840 for official use, the plan for special stamps for government use was abandoned, but only after 3323 sheets had been delivered. While these were ordered destroyed, 21 sheets are recorded as having survived, some of which were used for official experimental attempts at cancellation removal.

Provenance: Puttick & Simpson, London, 26-7 March, 1912.