1883-84 Lilac & Green Issue. 1883-84 Lilac & Green issue 1 1/2d die proof in black on white glazed card, 90x60mm, endorsed "BEFORE HARDENING" and dated "4 AUG 1883", very fine and very scarce. (Image)

1884 1 1/2d colour trial in lilac on buff paper, imperforate from the bottom of the sheet, very fine with large part o.g., scarce. (Image)

1883 2 1/2d De La Rue die proof in black on glazed card, 92x60mm, without corner letters, dated “28 JUL 83” and endorsed “BEFORE HARDENING”, scarce. (Image)

1883-84 Lilac & Green issue 2 1/2d imperf. colour trial in purple brown on white, gummed, wmk Crown paper, fine and scarce. (Image)

1884 3d brown TD perforated colour trial, printed on white gummed crown watermark paper, rare. (Image)

1883 3d De La Rue die proof in black on white glazed card (90x60mm) without corner letters, endorsed "BEFORE HARDENING" and dated "13 JUN 83", very scarce. (Image)

1884 4d dull green JH tied top small piece of De La Rue archive page by crisp Portsmouth "IL" JA 5 85 squared circle trial cancellation, very fine and thought to be unique in private hands, ex "Verus" (see Wiseman's "De La Rue Years" vol.2 p.249). (Image)

1883, Lilac & green issue 5d De La Rue die proof, endorsed "AFTER HARDENING" and dated "23 AUG 83", very fine and scarce. (Image)

1883 9d dull green FO, variety watermark inverted, superb fresh mint n.h., a lovely example of this rare watermark variety. (Image)