Lot 31533 – 1855 (?) 4a die proof in blue and red (issued colours) form the original engraved die

1855 (?) 4a die proof in blue and red (issued colours) form the original engraved die which was the source of all the transfers used in the production of the 1854-55 4a stamp, final 1855 state (head die III, frame die II), the frame and head inked separately and necessarily printed in two operations with the head inserted into the frame, on thick wove paper (58x60mm) with complete frame of wavy lines and rosettes in red (parts of the NE and SW rosettes also in blue). A beautiful item of the highest importance and rarity. Unknown to Spence, and one of only four recorded examples in this format (plus a poor cut-to-shape example discovered in 1990). An essential frontispiece to any collection of the 1854-55 4a.