1888-93 2½d purple/blue (SG 4). F-VF/UM pair HANDSTAMPED SPECIMEN TYPE GB9. Light colour rub on left stamp. The GB9 handstamp was primarily applied to stamps retained as specimens in the Inland Revenue reference collection at Somerset House. Infrequently the GB9 handstamp was also used to cancel specimens of overprinted GB postal issues supplied for UPU distribution. This practise was discontinued after a short period of time in favour of more permanent defacements.
