Great Britain 1880 5d Indigo die proof, SG169var Royals & Emperors Slight gum creasing

Slight gum creasing

with part interpane margin above showing additional 'Service'

Superb unmounted original gum corner marginal block of four with Pear's Soap underprint in blue

but can be confirmed under magnification by comparing the braiding on the sleeves and at the bottom of the garment with that on the normal stamp - the gold printing is noticeably thinner on the error

Great Britain 1880 5d Indigo die proof, SG169var Royals & Emperors Slight gum creasingGreat Britain 1880 5d Indigo die proof, SG169var. A superb example printed by De La Rue in black on white glazed card (92x61mm) dated twice "5 AUG 80" in blue. A scarce specialised Queen Victoria philatelic piece. The 5d stamp was required for correspondence with India and China paying double rate (1 ounce). A hand painted essay in the issued design, except that it had corner letters and was for 9d, was amongst those submitted on 31 May 1880. It