Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 15024 - Western Australia from the Vestey Collection
Lot: 97

Western Australia
1854-55 Four Pence Blue
The Major Transfer Varieties
The 4d. value was prepared using a transfer of 60 positions from the Perkins, Bacon engraved 1d. plate. The frames were then painted out and individually replaced by transfers taken originally from a drawing of the 4d. frame probably direct onto the stone. Four transfers were then taken from this intermediate stone to construct the printing stone of 240 impressions.
The intermediate stone had carried transfer errors; the most prominent was the "t" of "postage" sliced at foot, which of course then appeared on four positions of Printing Stone 1, in Row 7, Nos. 5, 10, 15 and 20. Printing Stone 1 was used for 100 sheets printed by Samson in July 1854 and for 3 sheets printed by Hillman in January 1855.
Stone 2
Printing Stone 1 was considered unsatisfactory, or the stone broke, after 3 sheets had been printed by Hillman in January 1855. He returned to intermediate Stone 1, which was still available, but noticed that on two impressions, Nos. 34 and 36, the frame had been damaged. He removed the frames from these positions and replaced them with two new ones. This produced intermediate Stone 1A, i.e. intermediate Stone 1 with two impressions altered. However, of the two replacement frames, one was tilted and the other inverted. Each error then occurred four times on Printing Stone 2, as did the other transfer errors, such as shaved "T", present on the intermediate stone among the other 58 positions. Printing Stone 2 was used for 97 sheets printed by Hillman in July 1855
[-] blue horizontal strip of three, the right stamp showing variety tilted border, good to large margins all round, each neatly cancelled "14" (Marradong) in reddish brown, fine. A scarce multiple. B.P.A. Certificate (2007). S.G. 3a/i, £1900. Photo

Note: This transfer variety occurred on positions 124, 129, 134 and 139.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,400