1902 KEVII MASTER DIE PROOF for high value POSTAGE REVENUE formats with UNCLEARED VIGNETTE, SURROUND, "NATAL" & VALUE TABLETS. Still incorporating the vignette headplate, a composite so-called "Key" Die. In black on glazed card dated (in blue) 18 DEC 01 and marked AFTER HARDENING. Initialled "GW". VF, an exceedingly rare progressive master proof showing clearing of the lower frame surround advancing over the similarly dated proof illustrated by Trotter on page 92 of "Edwardian Stamps of the South African Colonies". A particularly rare state of the die, more so as composite "Key Die" for these bicoloured stamps. Typically only a single such impression was taken for checking of the master die roller/s at each of the after hardening, before striking and after striking production stages.
