This item is an imperf PLATE PROOF of one of the values fromTonga Niuafoou 1990 150 years of Stamps set.
All Tonga stamps issued after 1980 were perforated. Unlike other countries, Tonga did not issue both perf and imperf stamps, they were all perforated, none were issued imperf. However, at the beginning of each printing run, the printers Walsall Security Printers of London, used the printing plates to print off one imperf plate proof sheet for checking purposes before the main printing run. This plate proof sheet was not perforated, and was checked by the printers for any mistakes and for clarity of colour. After checking, this first sheet was not perforated, but was left imperf., and was then placed in the printers archives. The item here for sale has been taken from the printers imperf plate proof sheet, and is a very scarce item from the printers archival material.
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