274th - 283th Corinphila Auction - Day 6

1899 (April 24): Provisional ½ d. on 1 d. blue, wmk. NZ and Star, perf. 11, two single examples, a vertical pair and a horizontal strip of six, all used on 1899 cover (with New Zealand Arms embossed in red on reverse) to the Stamp Office in Auckland, tied by "Cook Islands / Rarotonga" datestamps (Dec 6) in black. Further despatch datestamp on reverse with Auckland arrival (Dec 14). Minor imperfections but a rare and attractive usage.