Queensland 1895 1d Proof material

This page is a census of known examples of the 1d (1895) (SG 210 - 211, 217 and 228) proof issues. This stamp was introduced in 1895 and differs from the 2nd Sideface issues that preceded it by the removal of the background shading around the Queen's head. The 1d stamps, issued in an orange-red shade, first went on sale on 22 February 1895 and were replaced by the 1d (1896) issue in August 1896. 

According to Scudder (Kenneth Scudder, Queensland Postage Stamps 1879 to 1912, p. 186) the following proofs are known

• Orange-yellow, unwatermarked paper, Imperforate (although examples I have seen are more orange-red)
• Orange-yellow, unwatermarked paper, roughly perforated 12.5, 13 comb (again most examples I have seen are more orange-red) - I am not convinced that these perforate examples are proofs. Faint watermarks are hard to detect and it is possible that these unwatermarked proof examples are actually postally issued faint watermark ones. Nonetheless, I show some examples

Imperforate examples

1d imperforate plate proof block of 4 in orange-red on highly surfaced ungummed unwatermarked paper. Ex Colonel Harrie Evans (Prestige Philately auction no 96 lot no 480)

1d imperforate plate proof block of 4 in orange-red on highly surfaced ungummed unwatermarked wove paper. Seen in Corinphila auctions. Ex Bernard Manning, Slade (Prestige Philately auction no 1466 lot no 1140)

1d imperforate plate proof strip of 7 in dull orange on highly surfaced ungummed unwatermarked wove paper. Seen in Spink auctions no 19010 lot no 2186. Ex Bernard Manning (Prestige Philately auction no 1466 lot no 1141)

1d imperforate plate proof pair in orange-red on highly surfaced ungummed unwatermarked wove paper

Perforate examples

1d orange-red roughly perforated 12.5 x 13 plate proof pair on highly surfaced unwatermarked wove paper, small printer's correction mark at the top. Seen in Phoenix auction no 9

1d orange-red roughly perforated 12.5 x 13 plate proof single on unwatermarked paper

1d orange-red roughly perforated 12.5 x 13 plate proof single on unwatermarked paper

Not yet issued to Public

A vertical strip of 3 notated "not yet issued to public 14/2/96." This proof item must refer to the introduction of the Cowan paper printings which went on sale in late April or early May 1896. Seen the collection of Dr Tim Dexter