10c Dark Green, First Design, Plate Proof on India (62BP3). Pane of 100 from the left half of the plate, with imprint and plate no. 4 at bottom and sheet margin at left and top, showing part of guideline at right, deep rich color and detailed impression, on card and so remarkably well-preserved, some slight wrinkling at top left

VERY FINE. A PHENOMENALLY RARE INTACT PANE OF 100 OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE FIRST DESIGN PLATE PROOF ON INDIA. AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL EXHIBITION PIECE.

The famous Josiah K. Lilly collection, distributed by the Siegel Firm from 1967-68 in a series of 10 sales, contained complete proof sheets on India paper and on card for United States Classic issues through the Columbians, which came from the Earl of Crawford and Ackerman estates. The 1861 10c First Design, Scott 62B (formerly Scott 58) was present in the Lilly collection only on India paper and is not believed to exist on card. This pane represents the left half of the sheet of 200 from the Lilly collection (Siegel sale 320, lot 201), which was purchased by Raymond Weill and divided into two panes of 100. Scott 62BP3 is scarce in any form of multiple, with none larger than a block of four listed in Power Search.

Ex Earl of Crawford, Ackerman and Lilly. Unlisted as a plate block or block of four. Scott Retail as singles, which does not remotely do justice to the rarity of this full pane

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