1883-84 Lilac & Green Issue. 1883-84 Lilac & Green issue 1 1/2d to 1s set of nine die proofs, each stamp-size in black and inset on piece of thick card (151x70mm), a remarkable and very rare set, ex Chartwell. (Image)

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)

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

1883-84 Lilac & Green issue 3d imperf. colour trial in purple on yellow, un-watermarked paper without corner letters, printed from a special plate by De La Rue in December 1884, an exceptionally rare trial of which only two or three examples are believed to have survived. (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 3d. colour trial (no wmk perf. 14) in lilac on blue paper, very fine o.g. scarce. (Image)

1883-84 5d dull green die 1 with line under "d", mint o.g., a superb example of this very rare stamp that was prepared for use but not issued, thought to be one of 7 examples in private hands (S.G. £25'000). (Image)

1883-84 9d dull green 9d with "SPECIMEN" type 9 overprint in mint block of four (lower pair mint n.h.); very fine and fresh (S.G. £1'700 as singles). (Image)

1883-84 Lilac & Green issue 9d dull green mint n.h. with wmk sideways inverted variety, very fine, cert. RPS (1987) (SG £2'000+). (Image)