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Lot# 5251C - Auction 284 - 290

  • Lot# : 5251C Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): '20/-' in black on Great Britain 1 s. dull green, an unused example with Gibbons Type 12 handstamped surcharge, of fresh colour and appearance but for merest slightly blunt perforation at base, tiny brown hinge remnant on superb large part original gum. One of the rarest stamps in the world of classic philately with three examples recorded. A magnificent example of this great rarity being one of but two available examples (the other ex Green lot 1104 / Dale lot 202) as the third example resides in the collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. An extraordinary stamp, a philatelist's dream to be able to see, handle and describe, the first time this stamp has been available for open auction sale in 30 years and the first time this example has been offered openly in 100 years. Ferrary violet handstamp on reverse. Signed Holcombe. Cert. Peter Holcombe (1996) Gi = £ 120'000.rnProvenance: Collection Philippe Ferrary de la Renotière, Druout, Paris, sale 5, 15-17 Nov 1922, lot 128. Realised 12'500 French Francs; Giangiacomo Orlandini, private sale, Dec 1996.
    Starting bid : 50,000 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold