HIGH PRIORITY - CLASSIC
Overview
On
May 19, 2011, a 1854 India Half Anna Essay, Brownish Red, 8 Arches in complete sheet of 96 subjects with large
sheet margins on thin yellowish paper, without ornaments or inscription, a rarity sheet, it was one of David Feldman's auction.
Looking into the album, there is a Half Anna Red collection has been hinged on hingeless sheet. The actual stamp and image in the hingeless sheet has similarity to 1854 Half Anna Red, 8 Arches, imperforate & litho. However, it is not similar to 1854 Half Anna Vermilion, 9.5 Arches & unissued which is higher value than 8 Arches.
Referring to Stanley Gibbons, 8 Arches is an impression from Die used for the Used Stamps, mostly using die proof, trial print and lithographic transfer from the Die so-called Die IV states.
Referring to Stanley Gibbons, 8 Arches is an impression from Die used for the Used Stamps, mostly using die proof, trial print and lithographic transfer from the Die so-called Die IV states.
Analyze
The
sample of Half Anna Red stamp enriched with red pigment colour, depicting Queen Victoria is
illustrated below.
1854 Half Anna Carmine Red
Watermarked Paper, LLM,
We believe this an exceptional 1st. trial printing of Die Proof with flaw conditions - deflection and broken lines surrounding vignette whereas the latest versions prints with minor flaw or flawless.
We believe this an exceptional 1st. trial printing of Die Proof with flaw conditions - deflection and broken lines surrounding vignette whereas the latest versions prints with minor flaw or flawless.
Physically,
the above sample of Half Anna Red has a pin hole at bottom right of corner
frame, top left and right corner has ornaments, the diadem and numbers of
arches are almost similar to the 1854 Half Anna Blue Die II or Die III, therefore could be classified as new die so-called Die IV states. The shape
of the cruciform mark in the top corners and the hair strands below the diadem is similar to 1854/94 Half Anna Brownish Red Essay. The lithographic impression shows a characteristic of horizontal stroke for 'L' of 'HALF', sloping downwards which is similar to Half Anna Blue 1854 (April).
1854
Half Anna Blue 8 Arches Die I
1854
Half Anna Blue 8 Arches Die II
1854
Half Anna Blue 8 Arches Die III
There were reprints of 1854 issues in 1855, 1889, 1890, 1894, 1905 & 1916 in various shades such as vermilion and brownish red, without or with watermark such as "Arm of Great Britain" each has large margins all around, one shade in red and other in blue & black, both
with “Specimen” letters on reverse. However, the above sample do not have any letter of “Specimen” on reverse, could be an accepted die proof or trial prints. Refer to the image.
Yellowish
wove paper with a portion watermarked coat of arm East India Company
Inscription Stamp Office
According
to international philatelic source, there is a forgery of British India 1854
Half Anna 8 Arches Red imperforate lithograph. The forged proof 8 Arches has cruciform corner marks resembling of 1854 One Anna Die I lithograph. Also there is genuine essay issued in 1889 use cruciform corner.
1854
One Anna Vermillion 8 Arches Die I
The
genuine British India 1854 Half Anna 8 Arches Red imperforate proofs was
printed on yellowish wove paper without or with watermark of arm East India
Company with inscription STAMP OFFICE inside.
When
analyze more detail on the sample, the eye & eyebrow was retouched. According
to International Philatelist that the genuine proofs has two types consists of Chignon strongly retouched or eye & eyebrow retouched were printed at
different rows. The sheet of 288 was distributed in 3 panes of 96 proofs
divided into blocks of 24. It was first printed shade in Red twice by Henry L
Thuillier, Deputy Surveyor General, Survey of India, Kolkata on March and April
1854. This means the quantity of the 1854 Half Anna Red proofs were printed most
probably an approximated of 576 numbers only, a rarity stamp.
Eye
and eyebrow retouched
similar to 1854 Half Anna Blue
Conclusion
The 8 Arches Red or 8 Arches Carmine Red are considered as a proof die.
Looks to the actual condition of the Half Anna 8 Arches Red, there is no signed of forged stamp or reprint. Refers to Scott Catalogue, this Half Anna Red 8 Arches is Scott #1 & CV $825. Believe it was printed sometime in 1854 which is similar to 1854 Half Anna Blue.
Due to very limited references, it is very difficult to secure an appropriate conclusion at this stage.
Indeed, collecting this stamp is rare and gorgeous.
Due to very limited references, it is very difficult to secure an appropriate conclusion at this stage.
Indeed, collecting this stamp is rare and gorgeous.
Is there a green one ???
ReplyDeleteYes, half anna 1854 has green or pale blue, reprint as eassy issued 1890/1894 as well as red, blue and black on early issues.
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