Lot 40169 – 1876, 50r blue, the exceptional strip of four on cover

1876, 50r blue, the exceptional strip of four, exhibiting the « crashed plate » variety with coloured hairline in the second stamp below the volute besides the denomination below, continuing at top right also through part of the perforation (see Rui C. Doss Santos study, fig 121 on page 62), used to pay the double rate on 19.7.1877 entire letter from Pindamohangaba to Rio de Janeiro, cancelled by the French type cds on dispatch, additionally struck below, showing arrival on reverse, vertical crease of not importance for a unique item; the largest multiple recorded on cover, with no more examples known, and the most important postal history item of this value, furthermore featuring the very rare « crashed plate »; listed by Paolo Comelli as the first one of just two the most significant covers of the « Perçé » 50r in the « Mosaico » magazine, even though the plate variety was then unnoticed; ex Dr. de Amaral Machado.