Lot no. 303 •

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1840, 1d. black, plate 1, TD, two singles cut from the First and Second Imprimatur sheets („Before Hardening“ and „After Hardening“) with large to very large margins all round, the Imprimatur from the First imprimatur sheet dated 15 April showing the sharp impression of the earliest state of the (unhardened) printing plate 1, the latter from the Second Imprimatur sheet dated 27 April showing the contrasting worn impression. A magnificent Matched Pair from the first printing of the world’s first postage stamp! For the other imprimatur (first printing of the world's first “never issued” postage stamp) registered on 15 April 1840, see lot 320). BPA certificates  for each (2009) (S.G.Cat.: GBP 30‘000)

Remarks: Neighbour stamps of the 1d., TD, from Second Imprimatur: 
TC was in the Board of Inland Revenue Reference Collection
TE is in the Tapling Collection, British Museum.

Provenance: For the 1d.,TD, First Imprimatur sheet:
Harmer, 30 November 1954, (2500th. Jubilee Sale), ex lot 234 „The Magnificent Collection of imperforate Imprimaturs (1840-1892)“ 
Dr. & Mme. Serval of Belgium Collection, Harmer, 15-16 March 1976, lot 3
Robson Lowe, 21-22 April 1977, lot 2042
Alan Holyoake („MAYFLOWER“) International Grand-Prix Collection 2010

Provenance: For the 1d., TD, Second Imprimatur sheet:
Christies, 17 June 1986, lot 77 (stated to be ex Crawford Collection)
Alan Holyoake („MAYFLOWER“) International Grand-Prix Collection 2010