Ink Trials or Reprints?

The ¼a black and grey-black ink on European laid batonné paper. These strips are confusingly called ‘proof strips’ in the literature, terminology which does not accord with one definition of proof that would relegate any such to 1867 or before. The plate is in State I, i.e., there are no rivet repairs along the lower edge. Their first notice in Europe was January 1879. It is not known whether they are pre-May 1878 ink trials or are post-May 1878 reprints.

Apart from the variation in ink thickness, these items also seem to come in only a few distinct impression varieties, a fact that suggests that their number is decidedly limited. One type (first strip above) is characterized by the absence of ink along the lower-left border; in the other common type this deficiency is more than compensated for, with some of the 2a portion of the plate showing, ghost-fashion as in the second strip. A properly printed type is also reported.

While we have seen specimens with approximate horizontal laiding only, there are reports of vertical laiding as well. The papers vary in thickness, tone, texture, and laiding line-separation. The first strip shown above is a has a uniform thickness of about 0.09 mm, while the second strip is significantly thinner, varying over the 0.04-0.05 mm range. Some specimens are rather white. The batonné rulings in both specimens shown here are separated by about a stamp width. The item is also reported in a coarse wove. Eames reports copies of the ½a circular in the same ink, which usually show an embossed effect.

Blue Ink

A ¼a blue printers’ ink on thick wove paper is reported by Eames. It bears a cancel consisting of three concentric circles of different thicknesses. An impression in the same blue ink of the outer frame of the ¼a New Rectangular plate is found offset on the back.

The 2a Strip

Above: State I reprint of a 2a lilac partial strip on native paper, an example of an early reprint (perhaps 1881) pre-repair. Any rivet impressions along the upper edge would be visible were they present.

The 2a lower strip of the plate after the rivet repair, i.e., in State II of the plate. The image is taken from Séfi & Mortimer Plate 14.

Above: State II 2a reprints in bluish-grey, vermilion, and pale yellow. Dates are uncertain but the 1886-88 period is often cited for reasons here unknown. Here is a fuller accounting, all oilcolor on native paper:

Visitors’ Plate Reprints