3d. Die Proofs

Die proofs are printed in black on white glazed card, typically 92 x 60mm, unless otherwise noted. They are listed below ordered by date, with undated proofs following those with the same plate number. The rightmost column gives the number recorded in our database: in private hands + institutionalised.

The list of die proofs with unique dates is probably complete, and it’s unlikely that a proof with a previously unseen date will be found. However, the number of proofs within each date has not been recorded before, and it’s probable that additional proofs exist, especially for the second issue for which many more proofs were taken.

1	June 22, 1875	—	—	—	1
2	July 2, 1875	—	—	—	1
3	July 6, 1875	—	—	—	1
4	July (1)8, 1875†	—	—	“BEFORE HARDENING”	1
5	July 8, 1875	—	—	“BEFORE HARDENING”	3
6	July 14, 1875	—	—	“BEFORE HARDENING”	6 + 2
7	no date	—	—	Basic Die Proof	1 + 1
8	July 14, 1875	1	AB	“AFTER HARDENING”	1 + 1
9	July 16, 1875	1	SB	—	1
10	Aug 16, 1875	2	—	“BEFORE STRIKING”, “JPS”	1
11	Aug 16, 1875	2	BB	“AFTER STRIKING”, “JPS”	2
12	Aug 20, 1875	2	—	“AFTER STRIKING”	1
13	Feb 22, 1876	3	—	“BEFORE STRIKING”, “SEJ”	1
14	Feb 24, 1876	3	DE	“After Striking 20 Leads” (“TR”)*	1*
15	Nov 23, 1877	5	—	“SNE”	2

* Recorded with and without initials, likely the same one.
† In error for July 8.
Institutionalised/Total: 4/28.

No. 1 — June 22, 1875

No. 2 — July 2, 1875
Ex R. E. (Bob) Philipps.
Ex A. J. Lowe.

No. 3 — July 6, 1875

No. 4 — July (1)8, 1875
Dated July 18, an error as it’s before hardening. The “1” is light with a dot at bottom.
Subsequent proofs have just the extra dot in an apparent attempt to correct the date.