The 2a Plate
The earliest dating we hear of for the 2a, indeed the earliest of any New Rectangular so far, is 10 May 1878. Surprisingly enough, it is a pair of official stamps in black on horizontally laid paper on a registered cover Jammu to Amritsar (Lot #136 Eames Sale).
The 2a black on laid paper, 1878. State I of the plate. A nice thing to show from our own collection for a change, with only three or four such sheets attested. Ex Masson; another is Lot #135 Eames Sale.
Detail from the unique 2a full sheet in black watercolor, State I of the plate. The horizontal pin-rows (vertical in the scan) number 59 to 63 holes over 8.65 cm (averaging just over 14 per 20 mm). The broad range given in the literature for individual stamps, namely 13-16, is a bit of an exaggeration. A partner piece exists for the 1a, and it is clear that the same perforating implement was used. No examples are known with the 4a+8a composite plate, which was likely carved later. These watercolor items are usually called “proofs,” but the dating is unknown. Collection Hellrigl, ex Godfrey, ex Masson.
Jammu-Printed 2a Reds
The 2a reds on medium laid paper, 1879. Uncommon. The second image must have been cancelled after June 1880.
The 2a dull vermilion on thick wove paper, very thick, between 0.14 and 0.15 mm, 1879. Again, something like card stock. A medium wove is given a date of December 1879 by Séfi & Mortimer.
The 2a scarlet and 2a orange-red on thin wove papers, Jammu-printed 1879. The latter on the coarse yellowish-toned paper. Unspecialized catalogues do not distinguish between between these two items. They are Jammu-printed in all likelihood because Srinagar printings in shades of red are known only for the ¼a, ½a, and 1a denominations. A sure Jammu printing (State I of the plate) is shown in the next scan:
The 2a red on thin wove paper, State I of the plate.
Jammu-Printed 2a Blues
Among the blues we distinguish bright and dark families as a first cut. The 2a dull blue (also known as dull ultramarine Scott-side) on medium laid paper. The pigment is said to be rather soluble in water, perhaps even a kind of watercolor. Some two or three dozen are said to be in existence. Used copies were not known to Séfi & Mortimer. The SG catalogue entry would seem to have a most moderate price for this item, especially in used condition. A unique block of the top sixteen stamps was listed as one of the gems in the Haverbeck auction, Lot 1469.
On the left above is a 2a dark violet on medium laid paper, 1878. The SG catalogue speaks of a slate-blue and Séfi & Mortimer of a deep violet-blue of August 1878. On the right is a 2a bright violet in slightly soluble ink on horizontally laid paper. The earliest known use on cover dates 19 December 1879 (Haverbeck Lot 1464). A rare complete sheet in vertical laiding was in the Haverbeck sale Lot 1460.
A perforate version of the dark is catalogued, but is not recognized in either Staal or Séfi & Mortimer. There is reported a 2a bright mauve, attested on cover as late as 1880.