1c Blue, Type III, Position 99R2 (8). Positions 79-80/89-90/99-100R2, block of six containing Position 99R2 at bottom left, other stamps Type II (Scott 7), Position 89R2 with pronounced double transfer, original gum, h.r. at top, bottom right corner sheet margins, large margin at left, slightly in at top, vertical crease affects right stamps, top left stamp small repair, middle left stamp small surface scrape, the most important stamp (Position 99R2) is completely sound and superb

VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF SIX FROM THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF THE RIGHT PANE OF PLATE 2. THIS PHENOMENAL MULTIPLE CONTAINS THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF POSITION 99R2, A MAJOR CLASSIC RARITY.

Plate 2 was made in late 1855, and consists of 198 stamps that are Type II, one position that is Type III (99R2) and one that can be Type II or Type IIIa (100R2). To summarize the Ashbrook and Neinken books: Guide dots were used to correctly lay out the spacing for the plate. Positions 79 and 89 were transferred perfectly using their guide dots. However, the guide dot to the south-east of Position 88R2, which was used to align the single B Relief for Position 99R2, was placed far out of line. The misplaced dot was accidentally used and the bed of the press was moved too far, resulting in the bottom part of the A Relief being transferred into the bottom part of Position 89 (and in the margin below this position) by mistake. The original entry of Position 99R was out of place and so it was erased or burnished out, but seemingly no attempt was made to erase the parts of the A Relief transferred into the bottom of Position 89R. When the fresh entry was made in Position 99R a full transfer of the design was not possible without running into the error in Position 89R. The position was therefore short transferred at top, and apparently also at bottom, creating the finest example of Type III found on any plate (see pp. 183-184 of Neinken book). Position 100R2 can be Type IIIa (from plate wear) but it is an early state Type II in the block offered here. Position 100R2 can be Type IIIa (from plate wear), but it is an early state Type II in the block offered here.

From our 1981 Rarities sale--the collector who acquired it there resold it 31 years later in our Sale 1037. With 1981 and 2012 P.F. certificates.

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