This item is a PLATE PROOF item of one of the values from Tonga 1990 Natural Energy set. The design shows wave power and the words on the stamp say "wave power, a major new energy source" and "world´s oceans polluted, marine life at threat".
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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