THE RARE "ETED" INITIALS ON 4 CENTS MAGENTA 1856 Provisional 4 cents black on magenta, displaying the remarkable initials of postal clerk Dalton "ETED", showing large even margins and brilliant colour, with light Demerara datestamp of 17 June 1856, usual air-hole, ink etching, small thin and pressed crease; (SG £25'000). A very rare stamp in an unrepaired state of preservation and displaying this great appearance. The earliest known usage of the very rare initials "ETED", which have been recorded as used from June to August 1856, with only seven examples known. Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60073, David Feldman SA, June 2014) "Imperium" (Lot 30115, David Feldman SA, October 2021) Expertise: Signed "Thier" Max Thier, Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)

THE "FREDERICK T. SMALL" MARGINAL EXAMPLE 1856 Provisional 4 cents black on magenta, Type 1, initials of postal clerk Watson "CAW", exceptionally large margins and denoting to originate from the bottom of the sheet, Demerara datestamp of 16 April 1856 struck twice, deep fresh colour, in superb condition apart from a horizontal crease at centre which seems to have been caused, according to the layout of the cancellation strikes, when the stamp was unusually applied overlapping the edge of a correspondence; (SG £25'000). Provenance: Frederick T. Small (Lot 66, Robson Lowe, March 1970, "superb but for a horizontal crease"), showing his "Comet" hs on reverse John E. du Pont (Lot 60076, David Feldman SA, June 2014) "Imperium" (Lot 30117, David Feldman SA, October 2021) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)

THE "FERRARY" 4 CENTS MAGENTA COVER THE FINEST RECORDED 1856 Provisional 4 cents black on magenta, Type 2, initials of postal clerk Wight "EDW", extraordinarily large margins and splendid colour, used on cover to Georgetown with manuscript date "June 5th 1856", tied by Demerara datestamp of 6 June 1856, and Berbice arrival struck on the following day on flap. Thirteen 4 cents magenta covers are recorded, including four displaying the much rarer cut square, of which three with a single franking (this contrasting to the others as tied to cover), this being the finest of all thirteen. Provenance: Philipp von Ferrary (Lot 235, Sale 2, October 1921, "superbe") John E. du Pont (Lot 60078, David Feldman SA, June 2014) "Imperium" (Lot 30119, David Feldman SA, October 2021) Expertise: Signed Bloch, Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)

THE "DU PONT" 4 CENTS MAGENTA VILLAGE COVER 1856 Provisional 4 cents black on magenta, Type 4, initials of postal clerk Wight "EDW", cut octagonally and displaying the complete design, used on cover to Sophia's Hope Estate in Mahaicony, tied by the impression to the cover of the village datestamp of Williamstown "A 3 C 30 JL 1856" (matching strike on reverse), Demerara transit over flap, from the Barlow correspondence; a very fine and appealing example of this rarity; (SG £75’000). One of only four 4 cents magenta covers recorded with a village postmark. Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60079, David Feldman SA, June 2014) "Imperium" (Lot 30120, David Feldman SA, October 2021) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)

THE EXTREMELY RARE 4 CENTS ROSE-CARMINE INITIALLED "ETED" 1856 Provisional 4 cents black on rose-carmine, Type 1, initials of postal clerk Dalton "ETED", cut square, light Demerara datestamp of 27 September 1856, fresh colour, hinge thins of little significance for this attractive stamp in unrepaired original state of preservation; (SG £40'000). Probably only two or three examples recorded with the "ETED" initials. Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60084, David Feldman SA, June 2014) "Imperium" (Lot 30123, David Feldman SA, October 2021) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)