The Plating of the Cape Triangular 4 d. blue. This study is probably the finest known extant at the present time. Clients are referred to
The Plating of the Cape Triangular 4 d. blue. This study is probably the finest known extant at the present time. Clients are referred to the original work by Commander F.W. Collins RN., in the London Philatelist digital archives (available online to members) from Volume LXIX, number 812, July 1960 almost continuously running through to Volume LXX, number 823 of July 1961 (a printed copy is available to viewers with the lot). The illustrations with this plating study are taken from this original article. The sheet size was the usual British 240 positions, however the plate was in fifteen horizontal rows of eight pairs. This made the Plate unusually large for Perkins Bacon and when the top eight horizontal rows had been printed, the sheet had to be turned round in the press and the work continued with the relative positions of the dies now reversed. Above the "Die Shift Line" dividing the sheet between the eighth and ninth horizontal rows, the stamps are Type A over B; below the Die Shift Line the stamps are orientated Type B over A. The collection on beautifully written-up leaves with the nigh on complete plating of the Triangular 4d. blue from all printings, made up with a total of 245 stamps from the plate of 240: Horizontal Row I: Two used sheet marginal blocks of four (PB), strip of three used and singles unused (1) and used (4) Horizontal Row II: Block of four used, unused marginal pair (DLR), used pairs (3), singles unused (1) and used (4) Horizontal Row III: Two blocks of four unused (DLR), used pairs (PB, two) and singles unused (1) and used (6) Horizontal Row IV: Plate Proof pair, Block of four used (PB), Pair unused (DLR) and singles used (6, one marginal) Horizontal Row V: Block of six used (PB), Strip of five used (PB), Block of four unused (DLR), Block of four used (PB), Pairs used (3), and singles unused (1) used (5, one sheet marginal) Horizontal Row VI: Block of four unused (DLR), used block of four (PB) and singles unused (1) and used (7) Horizontal Row VII: Strip of three used, Pairs unused (DLR, 3), Pairs (2) used (PB) and singles unused (1) and used (8) Horizontal Row VIII: Pair unused (DLR) and singles used (5) Horizontal Row IX: Block of four on piece (PB), Pair used, singles unused (1) and used (7) Horizontal Row X: Block of eight unused (DLR), Strip of three used (PB), Pairs used (2), unused (1) and used (1, on piece) Horizontal Row XI: Strip of three used, Pair used (PB), unused (1) and used (3) Horizontal Row XII: Used strip of six (ex Stevenson and Huston), used block of four (ex Caspary), used pair, singles unused (1) and used (3) Horizontal Row XIII: Block of four unused (DLR), used pairs (2) and singles unused (5) and used (3) Horizontal Row XIV: Block of four used (two, PB), block of four used (DLR), unused pair and singles unused (1) and used (2) Horizontal Row XV: Used pairs (2) and singles unused (3) and used (4). All blocks (when vertical) are listed from the top row of the block. All the above singles, pairs and blocks are in generally fine to very fine quality and this is a spectacular achievement when combined with the single items from this Exhibit Gi = £ 50'000+.
