This item is a rare cromalin proof of one of the values from Tonga 1992 Legend of the Bats MS plus the issued stamp overprinted specimen for comparison. Each of the four stamps issued for this set continue the story of the legend. The legend is below.
THE LEGEND
Long ago in the Tongan village of Kolovai lived a handsome young man named Kula son of Ata Chief of Kolovai. Ata decided it was time for Kula to be tattooed according to the custom for chiefs. The finest tattooists lived on ´Upolu now called Samoa. So Kula journeyed there accompanied by two male cousins of lesser rank plus an army of retainers. Although only 2 hours by air, in Kula´s day the journey took 5 hazardous days. However the entourage arrived safely in ´Upolu and beached their magnificent double hulled war canoe (capable of taking 100 men). The people of ´Upolu greeted the visitors with warmth and great pomp. Kula and his retinue were immediately taken to the chief of ´Upolu who ordered food and accommodation for his Tongan guests, and arranged dancing and singing for that evening.
After Kula and his entourage feasted, they retired and rested. Later Kula was awakened by gentle Samoan singing so he rose, dressed and walked to the door with his two cousins. The sight that awaited them was mesmerising with a path of small fires leading to a circle there sat the chief on a pile of woven mats and surrounding him sat a hundred singers and a dozen drummers . In the centre was a lone figure, a girl gently swaying from side to side, her arms moved rhythmically. On her head was a fantastic turban of light brown soft tapa cloth with red feathers on the sides and mother of pearl in the front. On the back cascaded light brown bleached hair belonging to the chief´s ancestors. Kula fell hopelessly in love with the girl who was the chief´s daughter. The legend goes on to say that the girl fell in love with Kula too, and the romance blossomed for some months while Kula was being tattooed and then while he recovered. A whole year passed, and back home Kula´s father began to worry and sent Kula´s uncle to bring him home, which he did. But before leaving, the girl gave Kula a pair of bats to remind him of her. These multiplied in Tonga and lived in the caves of Kolovai. Today only the royalty can kill the bats as they are considered sacred.
Cromalin proofs were done by Walsall Security Printers of London, UK., on thick card and in full colour, a proofing method used by Walsall Security Printers in which full color proofs are produced directly from the color separations prior to final production of the printing plates. Each color is layered on top of the next thus building up to the full color design. It is at this stage that any final color change and occasionally design adjustment is made. As only 4 or 5 were done, cromalin proofs are scarce due to the very small number done. They are lovely looking, very high quality, with a glazed finish and were done by Walsall Security Printers as an important part of the printing process. Scarce proof item from the printers archival material.
