New Zealand 1899-1903 5d purple-brown plate proof, SG263New Zealand 1899 1903 5d purple brown (towards sepia), Waterlow plate proof from the "colonial" plate, imperforate block of 4 on ungummed wove, no watermark, from R5 6 1 2 on sheet with roller flaws (especially on upper pair), SG263. A fine quality and interesting block. R6 1 shows small fault at left, but remains a fine quality and rare piece. An attractive early pictorial stamp from New Zealand featuring Otira Gorge and Mount Ruapehu. Provenance: Ex