Lagos SG#42 1/2d on 4d Dull Purple & Black, and 1/2d on 4d Reddish Lilac & Black Queen Victoria, 1887-1902 Bicoloured Crown CA Watermarked Issue, 3 Different Fine and VF Used Examples, All Different Surcharges From the First and Second Printings

Three fine and VF used examples of the 1/2d on 4d dull purple & black and 1/2d on 4d reddish lilac & black Queen Victoria De La Rue Keyplate stamp from the 1887-1902 bicoloured Crown CA watermarked issue, all being different surcharges from the first and second printings. According to J.F Ince in his definitive work, there were a total of 20,000 stamps overprinted between 1893 and 1894 when new supplies of the 1/2d stamp arrived in the colony. There were 6 printings from various settings, resulting in 10 identifiable surcharge types. Stamps from various printings on hand were used to produce the surcharges. These stamps are:

• The 1st surcharge from the 1st printing.
• The 2nd surcharge from the 1st printing.
• The 3rd surcharge from the 2nd printing.

Stanley Gibbons values three VF-75 used examples at 9 pounds = $18, which is very low considering the overall scarcity of this stamp.

I have written two blog posts which outline the differences between the different printings, types and settings of the surcharge. You can access the first one here.

The stamps offered here grade between F-70 and VF-80 as follows:

Margins/centering: 30/60 and 40/60

Paper freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Cancellation: 10/10