1840, "VR" 1d. black, left margin horizontal strip of three,
lettered LA-LC, showing "the Labels ABOVE" portion of inscription,
chiefly
1840, "VR" 1d. black, left margin horizontal strip of three,
lettered LA-LC, showing "the Labels ABOVE" portion of inscription,
chiefly good to large margins, clear at upper left, showing trace
of red cancellation on which an official attempt at removal has
been made, endorsed on reverse "2 have been once cleaned", a fine
and important multiple from the cancellation trials, and an ideal
exhibition piece Gi. V1 = £67,500+ Though prepared in April, 1840
for Official use, the plan for special stamps for government use
was abandoned, but only after 3323 sheets had been delivered. While
these were ordered destroyed, 21 sheets are recorded as having
survived, some of which were used for official experimental
attempts at cancellation removal. Provenance: Collection Sugden,
Harmers London, 8-9 January, 1951, lot 390, together with a
once-adjoining single. Collection "Tes", Christies Robson Lowe, 5
October, 1995, lot 284
