Stamp News – The Stamp Echo

Inverted Jenny Plate Block breaks US Record!

October 27, 2014 by Hugo Arpin

Last month one of the very few infamous inverted Jenny plate block (#Scott C3a) was sold and it set a new US philatelic record. The block sold for more than $4.8 million, becoming the second most expensive stamp in the world, just after the 1856 1¢ Magenta British Guiana who sold for $9.48 million this summer (see our article on this subject).

The sale was conducted by Mr. Sundman of Mystic Stamp and was a complete shot out of the dark. In fact he was planning to exhibit the stamp when he received an unexpected offer that he could not refuse. The phone call took place in late september and the buyer requested anonymity.

Third known 2¢ Large Queen on laid paper sold at auction

October 24, 2014October 23, 2014 by Lisa

Canada stamp #32-Green 2¢ Large Queen on laid paper Image courtesy of Vincent Graves Greene Philatelic Research Foundation — Canada stamp #32-Green 2¢ Large Queen on laid paper

The third known example of the green 2¢ Large Queen on laid paper (Scott #32) discovered on July 16th, 2013 (see our previous article) just sold at Eastern Auctions this past weekend. The winning bid for this rare Canada stamp was $215,000 + 15% buyer’s premium ($247,450)! Even though it brought in less than the last Large Queen sold by Brigham Auctions for $475,000 (see this article about the Brigham auction), you’ll remember that this is the stamp that a collector found in a sales circuit book not too long ago. Some estimate he paid around $5 for it, others say $60; no matter what, that’s a pretty good return on his investment!

Canada 1851-12d Black stamp sold at auction

October 24, 2014October 23, 2014 by Lisa

Over this past weekend, Eastern Auctions sold a mint copy of the 1851 12d black Queen Victoria (Scott #2). Though in mint condition, the stamp was quite off-center and had a mark on the gum side. It sold for $70,000 + the 15% seller’s fee ($80,500)! However, the stamp sold a bit below expectations. Eastern Auctions themselves gave the stamp a catalogue value of $160 000, so the sale price is well below that. On the other hand, who would say no to an extra $80,500 in their pocket?

Canada 1851 12d black mint stamp for sale!

October 14, 2014October 14, 2014 by Lisa

An example of one of the most valuable Canada stamps will be going on the block on October 16th with Eastern Auctions as lot #60.

The 1851 12d black Queen Victoria could soon become Canada’s most valuable stamp ever–even more valuable than the green 2¢ large queen which recently sold for $475 000. The attraction of the 2¢ large queen is understandable–it is thought that only 3 exist in the whole world. But, they are all used specimens.

1856 British Guiana 1¢ Magenta fun facts!

March 24, 2014March 24, 2014 by Lisa

No member of the public has seen the stamp since it was last exhibited in 1986 at the Ameripex International Stamp Show in Chicago, Illinois.

The stamp has set a new world record in sales every time (3 times) it has been auctioned.

It will probably beat the world record of sales that currently belongs to the Treskilling Yellow, which was sold for $2.3 million in 1996.

1856 British Guiana Magenta to be sold!

March 17, 2014March 17, 2014 by Lisa

One of the world’s most famous and valuable stamps will soon be up for sale. Sotheby’s New York recently announced that it will be auctioning off the 1856 British Guiana Magenta to the highest bidder on June 17th, 2014. This «Holy Grail» of philately is expected to go for an estimated $10-20 million USD! Why, you may say, would anyone pay so much for an itty, bitty piece of paper?

Brigham Auctions just sold the rarest stamp of Canada!

March 11, 2014February 27, 2014 by Hugo Arpin

The finest known copy canada stamps #32 — The sold copy

Last february 22nd Brigham sold their Large Queens collection, which was in all likelihood the most complete collection of its kind. In it was the infamous Scott #32, the green 2¢ Large Queen on laid paper. There is only 3 known copies of this stamp (the third copy was discovered last year) and the one in question is so far the finest known. The 2014 Unitrade catalogue estimated this Used Fine copy at $250,000, Brigham Auctions were estimating that the copy would sell for $900,000. The winning bid was finally $475,000, not so bad for a single stamp!

New rare Canada stamp discovered!

January 17, 2014October 14, 2013 by Lisa

Canada stamp #32 on laid paper — Canada stamp #32-Green 2¢ Large Queen on laid paper
Image courtesy of Vincent Graves Greene Philatelic Research Foundation

On July 16th, 2013, the Vincent Graves Greene Foundation announced that it had issued a certificate of authenticity for a newly discovered 2¢ Large Queen on Laid Paper (Scott #32). Previously, it was thought that only two examples of this rare Canada stamp existed.

According to the VGG Foundation: “The submitted stamp was purchased by the collector early in 2013. It came from a sales circuit book (a book containing stamps for sale which is passed among prospective buyers in a geographical circuit). “The cost was very modest” (thought to be $5).

World’s most expensive stamp up for sale!

May 5, 2010May 5, 2010 by Lisa

In May 2010, the world’s most expensive single stamp, the Swedish Treskilling Yellow (see article: Read moreWorld’s most expensive stamp up for sale!

Rare Canadian stamp gets top dollar at auction!

January 28, 2014December 22, 2009 by Lisa

A rare Canadian stamp is now in the illustrious company of other top selling stamp rarities of the philatelic world. At a recent auction of some stamps from billionaire William Gross’ collection, a Canadian 1851 12p black on laid paper with original gum (Scott #3) sold for a record breaking $273, 000 CAD. That is the most money that has ever been paid for a single Canadian stamp, and well over the hoped for asking price of $116, 000 CAD! What makes this stamp so rare is the fact that only 1,450 copies were issued back in 1851.