Lot no. 5049

Stone IA, ½ anna black proof, a variety of the  "original state" of the hand drawn lithograph stone, imperforate from position 1 of the sheet of 12 (4 x 3).  This black proof is most likely an early "test proof" of the stone with many characteristics of position 1 of the issued stamp (R1/1) but a number of differences.  Note that the "A's" in JAIPUR STATE  do not have crossbars versus a black proof sheet in the literature and printed on both sides of the paper does have cross bars on the "A's" in JAIPUR STATE.  Also the English lettering on the black proof here is more crudely drawn that the proof reported in the literature, very fine and extremely rare, certificate ISES (2021)