1848: Entire letter from Launceston to London endorsed 'per Wellington', struck with LAUNCESTON despatch cds (Jan 24) in black and half-round PAID datestamp in red (Jan 25) at right with '4' (pence) charge in red ink. Struck with straight line SHIP LETTER in red and rated '8' (pence) to pay for this service. Reverse with London arrival datestamp (May 23) in red. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

First Issue on medium soft yellowish paper 1853 (Nov 1): 1 d. pale blue, a fine unused vertical strip of three, margins clear to large all round, of fresh delicate colour, top stamp with slight closed tear at right, large part og. with the central stamp unmounted og. An astonishing and lovely multiple Gi = £ 36'000+.rnrnProvenance: Collection Baron Ferrari de la Renotière, Sale 7, Paris, 13-15 June 1923, lot 504.rn Collection Sebastian Earl, RL, Geneva, 25 April 1980, lot 2018.rn Collection Rod Perry, DF, Zurich, Nov. 1987, lot 20856. (Image 1) (Image)

First Issue on medium soft yellowish paper 1853 (Nov 1): 1 d. blue, a superb used example with distinct cross-hatching, good colour and ample to large margins with portion of adjoining stamp at top, lightly cancelled by "62" numeral obliterator of Hobart in black. A fine example of this scarce stamp Gi = £ 1'500. (Image 1) (Image)

First Issue on thin hard white paper 1853 (Nov 1): 1 d. pale blue, position 3, used example with good even margins all round, with unusual pre-printing paper fold running vertically through the stamp, lightly cancelled in black. Most unusual variety on the first issue Gi = £ 1'500.rnrnProvenance: Collection Dr. Enrico Bombieri, Spink, Melbourne, 28 March 1999, lot 1018. (Image 1) (Image)

Fine Engraving 1853 (Nov 1): 4 d. bright red-orange, Plate 1, imperforate on vertically laid paper and thus from the Proof sheet of 24 subjects, a brilliant unused example with large even margins all round, of exceptionally bright colour, light horizontal bend of no significance and not affecting the lovely appearance in any way. A delightful and very rare Proof. Cert. Robineau / Calves (2001) Gi = £ 10'000.rnrnProvenance: Theodore Champion. (Image 1) (Image)

Fine Engraving 1853 (Nov 1): 4 d. bright red-orange, Plate 1, imperforate on wove paper, a used example with large even margins all round, of superb bright colour, neatly cancelled in black. A delightful stamp. Signed A. Diena Gi = £ 1'000. (Image 1) (Image)

Second State of the Plate 1853 (Nov): 4 d. red-orange, Plate I, used example with margins good to just clear at right cancelled "River Don 6/20/57" in manuscript ink. Scarce Gi = £ 475. (Image 1) (Image)

Second State of the Plate 1853 (Nov): 4 d. orange, a fine used example in a bright shade, with large margins on all sides, cancelled by probable "61" numeral obliterator of Hobart in black Gi = £ 400. (Image 1) (Image)

Second State of the Plate 1853 (Nov): 4 d. pale orange, a fine used horizontal strip of three, with even margins on all sides, of fine delicate colour, wrinkle and tiny thin spots and slightest of nicks in margin only above third stamp, cancelled by "52" numeral obliterators of Ross. A scarce and attractive multiple Gi = £ 1'350. (Image 1) (Image)

Coarse Engraving 1853 (Nov): 4 d. orange, Plate II, lines of background blurred, an exceptional unused example with good to large margins all round, slight scuff in left margin that could be trimmed, without gum, otherwise a superb example of an exceedingly scarce stamp in unused condition. Cert. RPS (1983) Gi = £ 5'500.rnrnProvenance: Collection Dale Forster. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Coarse Engraving 1853 (Nov): 4 d. dull orange, Plate II, lines of background blurred, two used examples, rejoined, each with large margins all round, each cancelled "Hamilton 20-8-55" in manuscript ink. Rare and very fine Gi = £ 850. (Image 1) (Image)

Coarse Engraving 1853 (Nov): 4 d. dull orange, Plate II, lines of background blurred, an ample to large margined used example on 1855 cover to London endorsed 'pr. Indian Queen', tied by "64" numeral obliterator of Hobart in black and by "General Post Office / Hobart Town / Crown VDL" datestamp in red. Backstamped with square LIVERPOOL / SHIP datestamp (June 5) and London arrival cds, charged '8' (pence) due for Ship Letter fee. A splendid and rare cover. Cert. BPA (2006). (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Coarse Engraving 1853 (Nov): 4 d. dull orange, Plate II, lines of background blurred, a used example with ample to good margins all round, horizontally creased but cancelled by "57" numeral of Westbury in manuscript. Rare thus Gi = £ 375. (Image 1) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1854: Perkins Bacon Original Die Proof by Humphrys, printed in deep black on thick card, 53 x 78 mm., with remarkable engine-turning surround and head-plate inscribed POSTAGE and ONE PENNY but without the Van Diemens Land at top; showing guide markings. Extraordinary Proof of great charm and rarity.rnrnProvenance: Collection P. L. Pemberton RDP.rn Collection Benjamin Goodfellow RDP.rn (Image 1) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1854: Perkins Bacon Die Proof for the rejected / unfinished Transfer 1 d. Die, printed in carmine-rose on thick white card, 41 x 49 mm., without 'Van Diemens Land' at top. For similar examples in black and vermilion see Sebastian Earl lots 2086 and 2087. A rare and beautiful Proof. (Image 1) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1854: Perkins Bacon Die Proof for the rejected / unfinished Transfer 1 d. Die, printed in emerald green on soft surfaced white card, 47 x 90 mm., without 'Van Diemens Land' at top. For similar examples in black and vermilion see Sebastian Earl lots 2086 and 2087. A rare and beautiful Proof. (Image 1) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1855 (Sept 16): 1 d. carmine, wmk. Large Star, imperforate, a fine used example with ample to large margins all round, cancelled by part oblterator handstamp in black. A rare stamp. Signed A. Diena Gi = £ 900. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1854: Perkins Bacon Plate Proof for the 2 d. value, imperforate horizontal strip of five, printed in black on poor quality medium wove paper, minor stain between first and second Proofs but a scarce and appealing strip. (Image 1) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1854: Perkins Bacon Plate Proofs for the 2 d. value, imperforate block of nine, marginal from top of sheet, printed in black on poor quality medium wove paper. Unapparent vertical crease on first vertical row but a most attractive multiple. (Image 1) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1855 (Sept 16): 2 d. deep green, wmk. Large Star, imperforate, a fine used example with ample to large margins all round, of wonderful colour and appearance with the Chalon head entirely clear of the light obliterator handstamp in black. A very fine example of this scarce stamp Gi = £ 550. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1855 (Sept 16): 2 d. deep green, wmk. Large Star, imperforate, a fine used horizontal pair with huge margins all round, of excellent depth of colour, cancelled by "64" numeral obliterator of Hobart in black. A rare and lovely multiple. Cert. RPSL (1963) Gi = £ 1'100+.rnrnProvenance: Alfred H. Caspary, Harmers, London, 6-9 Oct 1958, lot 480. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1855 (Aug 17): 4 d. deep blue, wmk. Large Star, imperforate, a fine used example with good margins all round cancelled by "Hamilton 14/1/57" manuscript cancellation in ink. Scarce Gi = £ 130. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1855 (Aug 17): 4 d. blue, wmk. Large Star, imperforate, an unused block of four of good colour with large margins all round and margin of adjoining stamp at lower right, small corner crease otherwise fresh and very fine for such a multiple. Rare and most attractive Gi = £ 20'000+.rnrnProvevance: Rodney A. Perrry Auction, 30 April 1991. (Image 1) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1855 (Aug 17): 4 d. blue, wmk. Large Star, imperforate, a fine example used on 1856 cover to Melbourne, cancelled in Hobart on despatch in black, with circular 'General Post Office / Hobart / Crown / VDL' datestamp alongside in red. Reverse, two side flaps missing, struck with SHIP LETTER / SYDNEY in black (Nov 6) and front with scarce 'MISSENT TO / SYDNEY / N. S. W.' in black and docket number in red. Mailed back with 'Ship Letter / Free / GPO Victoria' datestamp (Nov 13) in red on reverse. A scarce and appealing usage. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Chalon Head Issues, London Printings 1855 (Aug 17): 4 d. blue, wmk. Large Star, imperforate, a vertical pair, margins close to fine all round, used on double rate cover to Geelong endorsed 'per Royal Shepherd' each tied by "68" numereal obliterators of Hobart in black. Circular 'General Post Office / Hobart / Crown / VDL' datestamp alongside (Nov 26) in red. Reverse with SHIP LETTER / FREE / GEELONG-VICTORIA datestamp (Nov 29) in red. A charming and scarce cover. Signed Holcombe.rnrnProvenance: Corinphila sale 85, 23-28 September 1985, lot 7370. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)