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

1841 (Jan 15): Small Trial Two Pence Plate of 12 impressions with 'White Lines', without corner letters, printed on Small Crown watermarked paper (upright), as used for the larger printing plates of 240 stamps. This example shows marginal watermark lines at the top and on the right, unused without gum as issued. Vibrant colour and of fresh appearance. The trial was undertaken due to the delay of the new printing plate and thus prepared for the distribution of specimen stamps to accompany the announcement of the new 2 d. issue with the Postal Notices. Very light creasing as is usual, otherwise in perfect and fresh condition. A rare and visually impressive piece Gi = £ 17'500.
Note: This particular trial sheet is the first to which an original adjoining trial sheet of 12 has been identified (Phillips auction February 8 February 1990, lot 507) forming a (separated) "pair of 2 d. small trial sheets" with a 11mm. "Gutter Margin" in-between. For more details see "Pick of the Pack" article in the GB Journal September/October 2024.