Lot
6341 (
)
New Zealand, 1864, Queen Victoria "Chalon Head", 2d deep blue, imperf, Large Star watermark, left margin horizontal pair (R. 12/1-2), unused without gum, large margins to barely clear at bottom, prooflike color and impressions, Very Fine and choice; with 1933 R.P.S.L. certificate. Scott No. 32d var. Campbell Paterson No. A2n (X). SG No. 115c var. £3,000 ($3,940).
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE UNUSED PAIR OF THE 2D DEEP BLUE PROVISIONAL IMPERFORATE.
Realized: $2,400
Lot
6342 
New Zealand, 1864, Queen Victoria "Chalon Head", 2d deep blue, imperf, Large Star watermark, horizontal strip of three, intense color, large margins all around showing portions of two adjoining stamps, top right corner truncated clear of design, tied by "Auckland SE 12, 67" duplex with "1" barred oval on 1867 cover to Coventry, England, red London Paid (12.4) cds also ties strip, reverse with Coventry (12.4) arrival cds, Very Fine and a great rarity, Henry RubenH. Gordon Kaye, Christie's Robson Lowe, April 1991, lot 630
DuBois (Hiroaki Inoue), Matthew Bennett, May 2007, lot 2313
Joseph Hackmey, Spink Shreves, February 2009, lot 1465; with clear 2006 Odenweller certificate. Scott No. 32d. Campbell Paterson No. A2n (X).
SG No. 115c Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE 2D DEEP BLUE PLATE II PROVISIONAL IMPERFORATE.
These Provisional Imperforates came about as a result of the breaking of the pins of the 12½ comb machine and the eventual conversion of the perforating instrument to line perforation. While the perforator was withdrawn from service for repair, stamps were issued imperforate. This occurred during three very brief but distinct periods.
Realized: $5,250