My apologies to readers for not posting much at all in recent months. I feel there is already enough information here to help enthusiasts collect this area seriously. However, the wealth of philatelic knowledge and local history of these regions is endless and doubtless, I shall find material which is good enough to be posted here. Well, today I shall try to make up for my recent short fall by an extended post which is mainly pictorial and more information maybe added eventually.
This is part of a consignment of similar covers which were sent to Fred Parker in London. For some reason, his name and address were redacted on all of them. The 12c in stamps was the correct pre UPU rate for an half oz letter to UK. The 2c stamps were from the 1886 issue perf 14 and the 2 provisionals from 1886 are also perf 14 in contrast to the more expensive perf 12 counterparts using 1883 stamps. These envelopes are the only examples of these provisionals found used on cover. A Tottenham sorting office backstamp for NO 14 1887 confirms proper passage of this cover through the postal system.
These are printers' proofs of the 1939 PD issue which were scrutinised for mistakes or flaws. Corrections were made before the printing of the actual stamps. Some marks are on the 10c example to indicate the flaws in the printing die. And then, perforated examples were made. The flaw in "P" in the 10c stamp remained uncorrected in the perforated example. The holes were to prevent fraudulent usage.
These are the printers' proofs of the 1931 set with marks to show where corrections were to be made in printing die. This 1931 centenary issue is of the highest quality of design, printing and production. There are no known major flaws or errors as far as I know. This was quite a catch on my part considering there were no other bids apart from mine at the auction.
