Lagos SG#2 2d Deep Blue & Deep Prussian Blue 2nd Printing Crown CC Watermark Perf. 12.5 F-65 Used

A fine used example of the 2d deep blue & deep Prussian blue Queen Victoria De La Rue Keyplate stamp from the 1874-1876 Perf. 12.5 Crown CC issue. According to J.F Ince in his definitive work, there were a total of 14,160 stamps issued across 4 different printings between May 12, 1874 and May 13, 1875. This example is from the scarce second printing, from September 14, 1874, of which only 2,520 stamps were printed. It is postmarked with a nice clear strike of an October 20, 1874 Proud type D7. Stanley Gibbons values a VF-75 used example of the more common fourth printing at 42 pounds = $84. However as only 18% of the stamps in existence are from the second printing, examples should be worth approximately 50% more than the Gibbons prices. So this example should be worth approximately $63 in this condition. The stamp offered here grades F-65 used as follows: Margins/centering: 30/60 Paper freshness: 5/5 Colour: 5/5 Impression: 5/5 Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5 Perforations: 5/10 Cancellation: 10/10