Lot 50023 – 1838ca. Perkins Bacon die proof of backgrounds in black on card, 95x215mm, used for the GB line engraved stamps

1838ca. Perkins Bacon die proof of backgrounds in black on card, 95x215mm, showing two smaller ovals wither side of three larger ovals, with the two larger ovals either side of the central oval showing the regular wave patters as used in the vertical borders on the GB line engraved stamps, and the central oval showing the design used for the St. Vincent 1880 5s, some minor foxing, a highly important proof in the design of the first stamp in the world, cert. RPS (2010).

Note: The secret to this process is in the two lathes invented by Asa Spencer (Geometric and Traversing lathes), one of the original group of Americans who arrived with Jacob Perkins from Philadelphia. The patents for these lathes were purchased off Spencer by Perkins in 1819 prior to their coming to England. The Geometric lathe allowed the engraving of interlocking geometric patters on any surface, including the curved surface of a transfer roller. The Traversing lathe did the same but was able to engrave straight lines or regular wave patters which traverse the design horizontally or vertically. It was the Spencer lathes that provided the white line engraving, the unique security feature of the Perkins process.