Lot 243 Lagos SG#17 (SC#14) 1d Reddish Lilac & Pale Reddish Mauve, Queen Victoria, 1882-1886 First Crown CA Watermarked Issue, 6th Printing, A Very Fine Mint OG Example, 2022 Scott Classic Cat. $42.50 USD

A very well centered and very fine mint example of the 1d reddish mauve & pale reddish mauve Queen Victoria De La Rue Keyplate stamp from the 1882-1884 first Crown CA watermarked issue, printed in the original colours. According to J.F Ince in his definitive work, there were a total of 31,980 stamps issued between February 1882 and December 1885. Although he does not specify how many printings were made, through research and careful study I have been able to identify 8 printings. This example is from the 6th printing. Vertical wove paper showing fine vertical mesh and watermarked crown CA. The gum on this printing is generally smooth with some very fine cracking visible.

Stanley Gibbons values a VF-75 mint OG example at 32 pounds = $64.00.

I have written a blog post which explains the differences between the printings, which you can access here.

The stamp offered here grades VF-84 as follows:

Margins/centering: 54/70

Paper freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10