Queensland First Sideface Plate Proofs - 2d

Here are some examples of the 1st sideface 2d. plate proof. For general information on the 1st sideface plate proofs see here

In February 1879, the Government Engraver, William Knight, submitted for approval to the Colonial Treasurer, proofs of the 2d. These were printed on thin card, imperforate, in a blue colour. The submission was forwarded to the Postmaster-General, who returned it on 7 March 1880 with his approval. 

Imperforate die II examples with Crown over Q type II paper and defaced with blue crayon circa 1880 are known as well as examples that have not been defaced

Imperforate on thin card

2d. blue complete sheet of 120 imperforate Die 1 plate proofs on unwatermarked thin card with no 46 showing "queensband" variety and no 116 showing "penge" variety. Ex Butler and Griffiths

2d. blue block of 18 imperforate Die 1 plate proofs on unwatermarked thin card seen in the HL White collection at the State Library of NSW

2d. blue block of 12 imperforate Die 1 plate proofs on unwatermarked thin card seen in the HL White collection at the State Library of NSW

2d imperforate block of 4 in dull blue on thin card. Ex Slade and Manning

2d imperforate block of 4 in dull blue on thin card. Ex Colonel Evans

2d imperforate marginal block of 8 (4x2) from the base of the sheet in blue on thin card, margins close to huge. Ex Wm Knight, JH Chapman, Colonel Harrie Evans and Manning


2d imperforate pair in bright ultramarine on thick wove paper, minor thinnings, margins good to large. Ex Manning

2d imperforate block of 4 in blue on thin card. Seen in Corinphila auctions 2018

2d imperforate block of 4 in dull blue on ungummed thin card, margins just clear to good, the lower right unit with 'QUEENSbAND' (as SG 130b). Ex Manning and Griffiths

2d imperforate block of 4 on thin card. Ex Griffiths

2d. imperf plate proof pair 2d in Ultramarine on ungummed, no watermark paper. Seen at Millenium Philatelic Auctions no 1 lot no 644 

2d imperforate pair on thin card. Seen in Corinphila auctions

2d imperforate pair on thin card. Seen in Phoenix auction no 62 lot no 959

2d imperforate pair on thin card. Seen in Corinphila auctions

2d imperforate pair on thin card. Seen in Corinphila auctions

2d. blue pair of  imperforate Die 1 plate proofs cancelled with blue crayon seen in the HL White collection at the State Library of NSW

2d imperforate proof in dull blue on thin card. Seen in a private collection

Imperforate die II examples with Crown over Q type II paper 

2d imperforate block of 4 on watermarked paper. Seen in a private collection

2d Die II imperforate marginal block of 4 from the base of the sheet on crudely gummed watermarked paper, margins close to huge, endorsed "[E]lectrotyp[e]" in red pencil in the margin, minor stain & small scissor-cuts between the units at top & right. Ex Wm Knight, JT Chapman, Colonel Harrie Evans and Manning

2d. Watermark type II crown. Courtesy of Dave Elsmore, Queensland stamp collecting Facebook group

2d. blue Die 1 plate proof seen in the HL White collection at the State Library of NSW

Wmk type II crown. Lower right pair from sheet showing marginal watermark at base and at right. Courtesy of Dave Elsmore, Queensland stamp collecting Facebook group

2d imperforate plate proof horizontal pair in grey-blue on ungummed watermarked paper, Perf 12 at the top. Ex John White and Manning

2d imperforate pair on watermarked paper. Seen in a private collection

2d blue single from base of the sheet on gummed watermarked paper with red-pencil endorsement in margin. Ex Colonel Evans


2d imperforate bright ultramarine horizontal pair. Unknown whether on wmk paper or not. Seen at Phoenix Auction no 9

2d imperforate proofs in blue on ungummed watermarked paper. Seen in Prestige Philately auction no 152