1883 Embossed Essay original hand-painted stamp-size artwork for the oval 'TASMANIA POSTAGE/TWO PENCE' in green & Chinese white on tracing paper (65x81mm) attached at left to a piece of white paper of the same size, '15JUN82' handstamp at upper-right and endorsed below the design "Approved/[initials]/19 6 82", with a Tasmania De La Rue Sideface 2d green overprinted 'CANCELLED' affixed at lower-left and manuscript "Colour" above G&S E1E, a couple of tiny blemishes hardly detract. Beautiful and unique. Ex De La Rue Archives. Not recorded in 'The De La Rue Collection' but  Illustrated by Groom & Shatten at page 38.  An outstanding rarity, further enhanced by the 2d adhesive being the only known example with 'CANCELLED' overprint in private hands.

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$2,500

1883 Embossed Die Proof 2d in scarlet on thin white card (28x32mm) mounted on another piece (32x33mm) E1P. A superb and beautiful impression in an unadopted colour. Ex De La Rue Archives. Not recorded in 'The De La Rue Collection' but illustrated by Groom & Shatten at page 38. 

Grade A+ (Image1)

Estimate AU$1,000

1883 Embossed 2d green E1 twelve unused examples with the original band 'TWELVE/POSTAGE ENVELOPES/ Duty Two Pence', some minor blemishes. Stated by our vendor to be the only recorded example of the band. Illustrated at page 40.  (13 items)

Grade A/A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1883 Embossed 2d green E1 with colour embossing within showing through as a reversed albino impression at upper-left caused by the folding of the envelope being reversed, subsequently with two additional embossings added at upper-right, in pale yellow-green and an Albino Impression Displaced Upwards by 3mm, small defect at the point of the flap otherwise very fine. Illustrated at page 40, and stated by our vendor to be "the only recorded example". The status of this "weird & wonderful" item has not been determined. The envelope is from the 1883 London printing. We expect that the envelope (and others like it) was discarded in Hobart because of the error, and subsequently used to trial the second 2d die that De La Rue produced in 1892 and then sent to Hobart for Stamped To Order use only. The albino impression may have been struck first, as an embossing trial, the inked impression being struck as a colour trial. Illustrated at page 40.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1883 Embossed 2d green E1 with BN '34' & part-'FINGAL/MAY21/1883' cds (the earliest recorded usage of the 2d Envelope; confirmed by the Hobart arrival of MY22/1883; minor stain on the face) and other usages from 'SOUTHPORT' (1884), 'CAMBRIDGE' (1890), 'DELORAINE' (1899) and Hobart (1900 & 1899 double-rate usage to Launceston), fine to very fine.  (6)

Grade A/B (Image1)

Estimate AU$200

1883 Embossed 2d green E1 uprated with Sidefaces 1d deep rosine x7 & 4d yellow tied by Hobart cds of MR 7/88 cds and 'TASMANIA'-in-bars cancels, straight-line 'REGISTERED' handstamp in the centre, to Germany "Per P&O" (obscured by the 4d) via Italy with Brindisi & 'AMBUL BOLOGNA' TPO transits and 'Leipzig arrival backstamp, minor blemishes. The rate was 9d per ½oz via Italy plus 4d registration fee. A wonderful and colourful usage.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$400

1883 Embossed 2d green E1 uprated with Sidefaces 4d yellow tied by Hobart duplex of DE6/90, to Italy with Naples arrival cds of 11-2/91 & 'DIST 8/91' postman's backstamps, repaired tear across the flap. The rate to Italy was reduced to 6d per ½oz from -.4.1888. A very scarce pre-UPU usage to Europe. Illustrated on p41.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$300

1883 Embossed 2d as E1 but in a distinctive dark green shade, registered to Victoria in 1895 uprated with Sidefaces 1d deep rosine & 2d green tied by untidy Barred Numeral '62' cancels with 'NEW TOWN' cds below, light 'REGISTERED/.../HOBART' chamfered-boxed handstamp, the reverse with Hobart cds & 'REGISTERED/ MELBOURNE' arrival, very minor blemishes. Illustrated at page 41, and stated by our vendor to be the only recorded example of this shade. 

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

1883 Embossed 2d green E1 two examples each uprated with Sideface 1d x4, both addressed in the distinctive hand of Arthur Basset Hull to the prominent dealers "Pemberton Wilson & Co/...London" in 1885 or to "JB Moens/.../Belgium" in 1890. Correspondence between three of the philatelic luminaries of the 19th century.  (2)

Grade A-/A (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

1883 Embossed 2d green E1 post-UPU 2½d usages to England France & America x2 and double-rate usages to England & Germany, various adhesives added including 'd./2½' on 9d on the last, F to VF.  (6)

Grade A/B (Image1)

Estimate AU$250