Lot 50029 – 1840 « Rainbow » Colour Trials: Second trial plate state 3 in blue, a part sheet of nine

1840 « Rainbow » Colour Trials: Second trial plate state 3 in blue, a part sheet of nine of the original twelve impressions on un watermarked white wove paper, dipped in Prussiate of Potash, the left vertical strip of three having contemporarily excised possibly for further experimental reasons, the nine impressions cancelled by fine strikes of an experimental « No 712 » cancellation, ink manuscript notes at top at sides in the hand of Joshua Bacon below  » Prussic Acid », « Potash », « Tartaric Acid », « Turpentine » and « Creosote », « No 2 denotes the shade of blue and D4 the order of goodness as determined by Perkins Bacon, adhesives with a few very minor imperfections as to be expected on an experimental multiple of this size, though in no way detracting from the very fine appearance, an incredibly rare and important part sheet.

Note: On this date six Specimens in different shades of blue, numbered 1 to 6, some of these on plain paper and some with Prussiate of potash in the paper, were sent to Rowland Hill by Joshua Bacon.

Provenance: Ex Perkins Bacon Archive and Major Allen (see his article in the British Philatelist Dec 1939 item 9)

Correction to printed catalogue: Estimate is £12’000-15’000