This page is a census of known examples of the 2d (1882) (SG 168) die proof issues. This stamp was introduced in 1882 and was a completely different design to the 1st Sideface issues that preceded it. The 2d stamps, issued in a blue shade, first went on sale in August 1882
The 1882 steel die was engraved by William Ridgway of the firm Bradbury, Wilkinson in London, arriving in Brisbane on 19 April 1882. It was in an unclear state with a 1mm solid edging which was removed before the die was used
There was also a previous "die" which had been received in September 1881 after being ordered on 18 March 1881. However it was been rejected as instead of a steel die two soft electrolytes were received which could not be used to prepare the electrolyte plate. It also had a flaw to the tip of the Queen's nose. Nevertheless proofs were taken from it. In early 2024 proofs in various colours and retained by Bradley, Wilkinson in their archives were sold on Ebay
The following die proofs exist as per Scudder (Kenneth Scudder, Queensland Postage Stamps 1879 to 1912, p. 99)
First (rejected) "die" - with a frame 0.75 mm outside the design and a flaw to the nose
- In black or blue on a portion of a letter
- On thin card in blue, rose, lilac and black
- From the archives of Bradley, Wilkinson
Second (approved) die
- Uncleared state - 1 mm solid edging, in black on card
- Cleared state - on thick card in blue, brown and brick-red
- Cleared state - on thin card in blue, violet, green, brown and brick-red
Left to right; 1st rejected die, 2nd approved die - uncleared state, 2nd approved die - cleared state
1st (rejected) Die
Letter portion
1st rejected die in blue (issued colour) with 0.75 mm edging on a portion of a letter. Seen in the collection of Dr Tim Dexter
Black
1st rejected die in black with 0.75 mm edging on what is described as "unwatermarked cream wove paper" (110 x 78 mm). Seen in Corinphila auction April 2018. The annotation is "Engraved Proof 8"
Lilac
Rose
1st rejected die in rose (described in the auction as red) on what is described as "affixed to card" (50 x 48 mm). Seen at auction
1st rejected die in rose (described in the auction as dull red) on what is described as "cream woven paper". Seen in Classic Philately March 2019. The annotation is "Engraved Proof 4"
1st rejected die in rose (described in the auction as carmine) with 0.75 mm edging on what is described as "small card" (60 x 84 mm). Seen in Corinphila auction April 2018. It is handstamped "Engraved By / Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd." in red at base
From the Archives of Bradley, Wilkinson
1st rejected die in black with 0.75 mm edging from the Bradbury, Wilkinson archives and sold on Ebay in January 2024
1st rejected die in brown with 0.75 mm edging from the Bradbury, Wilkinson archives and sold on Ebay in January 2024
1st rejected die in green with 0.75 mm edging from the Bradbury, Wilkinson archives and sold on Ebay in January 2024
1st rejected die in blue with 0.75 mm edging from the Bradbury, Wilkinson archives and sold on Ebay in January 2024
2nd (approved) Die
Uncleared State
2nd approved die uncleared state in black on card (60 x 91 mm) with 1 mm solid edging. Seen in Spink auction no 12043 lot no 1274. Ex Alan Griffiths. Now in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock. The annotation is "engraved by W Ridgway"
2nd approved die uncleared state in black on wove paper (55 x 62 mm) with 1 mm solid edging. Seen in the collection of Dr Tim Dexter
Cleared State - Thick and thin cards
Blue
2nd approved die cleared state in light blue on what was described as wove paper (109 x 71 mm). Seen in Spink auction no 12043 lot no 1275. Ex Alan Griffiths
2nd approved die cleared state in blue on cream wove paper (60 x 60 mm). Seen in the collection of Dr Tim Dexter
2nd approved die cleared state in blue on card. Seen in the L'estrange collection at the Queensland Museum
Brick-red
2nd approved die cleared state in brick-red (stated to be orange-red) on cream wove paper (60 x 60 mm). Seen in Corinphila auction October 2017
2nd approved die cleared state in brick-red (stated in auction description as dull orange-red) on thin card (23 x 28 mm). Seen in Prestige Philately auction no 146 lot no 1104. Ex Bernie Manning
Brown
2nd approved die cleared state in brown on cream wove paper (60 x 60 mm). Seen in the collection of Dr Tim Dexter
2nd approved die cleared state in brown on thin card (23 x 28 mm). Seen in Prestige Philately auction no 146 lot no 1103. Ex Bernie Manning
Green
2nd approved die cleared state in green on cream wove paper (60 x 60 mm). Seen in the collection of Dr Tim Dexter
Violet
2nd approved die cleared state in violet on thin card. Seen in the L'estrange collection at the Queensland Museum
2nd approved die cleared state in violet on what the auctioneer described as cream wove paper (60 x 60 mm). Seen in Corinphila auction October 2017
Unknown colour