Lot 50465 – France – Ceres First Issue 1fr, working proof on wove

France – Ceres First Issue 1fr, working proof on wove paper, bearing date “2/3/49” (almost exactly 100 years after the stamp issue), with various notes pertaining to the production, designated “Vervelle” by Sperati, indicating in French at left that the ink used in the trial colour of Sperati’s fingerprint below was applied on the first day, and at right, on the other fingerprint colour sampling, denoting a ‘second day’ (we presume that the chemicals reacted differently after one or two days under certain conditions of experimentation, and it may deduced that the colour of the stamp design was chosen after the fingerprints’ trial). A unique documentation offering a very rare glimpse into Sperati’s experimental manufacturing process. Undoubtedly the most spectacular of Sperati’s production proofs of France.