1872 Piece cut from the De La Rue ink recipe book bearing a ...

Hammer

£140

1872 Piece cut from the De La Rue ink recipe book bearing a partial playing card proof in the colour used for the 1872 6d Chestnut, headed "6d English Postage" and described as "Yellow Brown". Inscribed alongside in red ink "In January 1872 the "Tyrian Purple" (No 610) was abandoned for the 6d Postage and this ink was used in its stead" and "In February 1873 this ink was abandoned for the above Postage and was superseded by the "Olive ink" No 765". The reverse bears a De La Rue dummy stamp block of four in green, described as "Tint for under-print, New Zealand Bonds". A unique archival piece.