India 1854 Four Annas, Head Die II, Frame Die I, Wide Setting (Second Printing, December 1854). Cancelled Stamp
British India, 1854 Four Annas, Queen Victoria, First Issue Second Printing. A classic bi-colour genuine postage stamp featuring the youthful portrait of Queen Victoria printed in blue within a red octagonal frame. Lithographed at the Survey Office, Calcutta, this iconic issue was among the first multicoloured postage stamps produced anywhere in the world and remains one of the most celebrated classics of Indian philately. This example is postally used with an original cancellation and represents an important early issue of British India.
Observations from Stamp
- Red octagonal frame.
- Blue Queen Victoria head facing left.
- Used example with heavy diamond cancellation.
- Wide spacing appearance (portion of surrounding paper remains).
- The bust appears pointed rather than rounded.
- Hair details and diadem are somewhat worn, suggesting a later state of the die.
Probable Classification
| Feature | Identification |
|---|---|
| Stamp Type | India 1854 Four Annas |
| Frame | Likely Frame Die I |
| Head | Likely Head Die II |
| Printing | Second Printing |
| Approximate Date | December 1854 |
| Setting | Wide Setting |
The portrait does not appear to be the early, more sharply engraved Head Die I of October 1854. The diadem lines and facial profile are more consistent with Head Die II, which is the most commonly encountered die among the wide-setting Four Annas issues.
Cancellation
The cancel is the common diamond dotted obliterator, applied before the numeral obliterator period.
It is not a numeral cancellation and no post office can be identified.
Condition
- Four margins on piece
- Attractive colour
- Moderate ink offset
- Heavy cancellation
The information is collated from the available sources in the open domain and the same is available in the Informed Collector Section. Please check before order confirmation
₹ 31,500.00
₹ 31,500.00