1879 2c YELLOW-GREEN, wmk CA over crown sideways, perf 14, brilliant o.g. Pos. 1 on the sheet. Some trimmed perfs but beautiful colour and apparently unique without opt, although an example with 'CANCELLED' was preserved in the De La Rue archives. Ex William Frazer.

1879-92 part DLR daybook page (104 x 342mm, severed into two smaller pieces between the 8c and 10c values, for display) recording in two columns the original and new colours used between 1879 and 1892 for the seven values of the engraved Queen's head series. The original colours (left column) are represented by the 1879 wmk sideways 2c, 6c, 12c and 16c, each with type D7 'CANCELLED' opt, and the 1880-82 wmk CC 8c and 10c and 1883 wmk CA 40c, each with type D4 'CANCELLED', while the new colours are represented by the 1885-86 2c, 8c, 10c, 16c with type D12 'SPECIMEN' opt (as used for the UPU distribution) and the 1892-93 6c bright green and 12c bright blue (SG 40, 45) without opt. A variety of M/S annotations include black M/S dates above the second columns (with the 6c and 12c additonally noted as 'B. N. Borneo Co' and therefore not ordered by the Crown Agents), and red M/S '30 set' or '10 set', although these refer to the situation in 1892, when larger plates were introduced for the 2c, 8c, 10c and 16c. The stamps with some clipped perfs and occasional minor soiling, but a unique and highly important record, with all the 'CANCELLED' opts on the original colours individually very rare, and the 1879 2c exceptionally in the trial 'yellow-green' shade, rather than as issued. Fascinating and most attractive. Ex De La Rue archives (RL 15/9/76, lot 788) and not seen on the market for 35 years.

1878 (16 Oct) engraved essay die-proof for the 12c value, in horizontal format with vignette depicting sago palms, in ultramarine on card (80x80mm) with complete die-sinking. The original essay devised by De La Rue, based on a sketch drawn by F.W. Burbridge, a botanist who was studying the flora of Labuan. The sago palms idea survived for just 24 hours (!), but the design subsequently adopted for the Queen's head issues of Labuan (in vertical format) nevertheless retained the original frame, ornaments and inscriptions seen here. How different the philatelic history of Labuan might have been ! Some faults (thinned on reverse, causing slight wrinkling, and gum stain above the impression) of little consequence, but a unique and highly important item, ex De La Rue archives (RL 15/9/76, lot 779), illustrated on pl. 24 of Easton's 'De La Rue History', and not seen on the market for 35 years.

1878 (3 DEC) 12c, the unique original PLATE PROOF IMPERFORATE SHEET OF 10 (5x2) in black on thin surfaced card, with handstamped date '3 DEC 78' at upper right. Shows the pantograph variey 'No right foot to second Chinese character' at R2/3. Small faults (pressed creases, peripheral thin and slight rubbing affecting R2/1) but a wonderful item of the highest importance. Ex Col. Danson (RL 30/6/71, lot 2068) and not on the market for 40 years.

1879 16c blue, wmk CA over crown sideways, opt 'SPECIMEN' (type D8), very fresh with traces of gum. Pos. 9 on the sheet. Some trimmed perfs but rare. Ex Marcus Samuel.

1879 16c blue, wmk CA over crown, sideways (to right from back, and reversed), complete sheet of 10 (5x2), fresh o.g. (seven stamps unmounted). Margins a little reduced, still a rare and most attractive item. Only 352 sheets printed.

1879 16c blue, wmk CA over crown sideways (to right from back), block of 4 being the two left columns of a sheet with full margins, brilliant unmounted o.g. (hinged in margins). A lovely multiple, scarce in this form and condition, with only 352 sheets printed.

1880-82 2c yellow-green, wmk CC, complete sheet of 10 (5x2) without margins, unmounted o.g. Pos. 3 with a pulled perf, and top row with insignificant perf tones on gum, still lovely fresh appearance. A rarity as a sheet, with only two recorded by Price (quoting Marriott).

1880-82 6c orange-brown, wmk CC, block of 4 from left of sheet (pos 1-2/6-7) with full margins, large part o.g. (lower pair with only traces of hingeing). Typical minor gum wrinkles but a rare and beautiful multiple, with lovely fresh colour.