Lot 247 Lagos SG#18 (SC#16) 2d Blue & Pale Dull Blue, Queen Victoria, 1882-1886 First Crown CA Watermarked Issue, 8th Printing, A Very Fine Used Example, 2022 Scott Classic Cat. $8.5 USD

A very fine used example of the 2d blue & pale dull blue 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 32,640 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 8th printing. Vertical wove paper showing fine vertical mesh and watermarked crown CA. The stamp is cancelled with a relatively light strike of the Proud type K2 Lagos 8-bar bootheel grid killer - the predominant cancel in use at this time.

Stanley Gibbons values a VF used example at 8.50 pounds = $17.

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

The stamp offered here grades VF-75 as follows:

Margins/centering: 35/60

Paper freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Cancellation: 10/10