Description:

PRESENTATION DIE PROOFS: 1½d die proof in carmine-lake on wove paper (235x190mm) with printed inscription 'PRESENTED TO MR L BERNARD HALL..." and signed "HP Brown/7-2-27" at lower-right BW #132DP(8)B, minor blemishes mostly on the reverse, Cat $15,000. An impressive proof. Acquired at Gary Watson's auction of 11/4/1988. Illustrated by Geoff Kellow at page 32.



Four similarly inscribed proofs were prepared for AJ Derrick, B Hall (this item), AJ Mullett (now in the Australia Post Archives) and J Murray (believed lost). The ACSC notes that these are not technically "die" proofs, having been printed from a special single impression plate made from the roller die for this specific purpose!! [Lord Vestey's similar proof to AJ Derrick sold for £11,400]



Lindsay Bernard Hall was a noted artist whose claim to fame is that he was the first buyer for the Felton Bequest, the acquisitive charitable trust largely responsible for the international standing of the National Gallery of Victoria. Acknowledging receipt of the proof, he wrote "As you are aware...I had a very poor opinion of the design chosen for the Canberra stamp...I trust my name will not be mentioned in connection with its production, for it is artless - both in design and as an example of engraving - as it is possible for a stamp to be"!!! Considered by his contemporaries to be an aesthete of impeccable taste, he famously remarked "There is no immorality in art other than faulty or bad technique". Clearly he didn't rate Ronald Harrison, or JAC Harrison for that matter!