Auction 309-320 - Australian States & Commonwealth British Africa, St. Helena - Day 2

Stamp Design Competition 1911: Essays (2) by Donald Mackay with large hand-painted example (108 x 95 mm.) in black, grey and Chinese white on thick card for proposed 1 d. value with charioteer and four horses with "Advance Australia" above (this addressed and signed on reverse by the artist); and the same design reproduced as stamp sized 'Die Proof' design (55 x 45 mm.) also hand-painted but in deep brown, pale sepia, rust and Chinese white. Exceptional pair of great rarity BW E47+E47 var = $ 13'500.rnrnProvenance: Collection Thomas E. Field, Harmers, London 15-18 Nov 1948. Sale cancelled as sold intact to Kilfoyle; Collection J. A. Kilfoyle, Harmers, London, 16-17 Oct 1961, ex lot 9; Collection Dr. Leslie Abramovich, Temple Bar, London 28 Feb 1973; Collection Derick Ray; Premier, Melbourne, 9 March 2002, lot 778.