Lot 40294 – 1878, 1,000r grey slate, imperforate plate proofs on India paper without gum, vertical block of 24

1878, 1,000r grey slate, imperforate plate proofs on India paper without gum, a striking vertical upper left corner-sheet block of 24 (4×6), showing the complete ABN imprint in its enormous margins at left and top, vertical wrinkles and diagonal crease caused during the storage in the ABN archives, the latter resulting in a tear affecting four stamps; the largest multiple recorded of the 1,000r plate proof, with just two recorded (both offered in this sale), the issued stamp having a block of four and a block of 18 as the largest unused and used blocks known, therefore this being also the largest multiple recorded exhibiting the highest “Dom Pedro” denomination; ex Comelli and Dr. de Amaral Machado.