Lot 252 Lagos SG#19 (SC#20) 3d Chestnut, Queen Victoria, 1882-1886 First Crown CA Watermarked Issue, 7th Printing, A Fine Used Example, 2022 Scott Classic Cat. $8.75 USD

A fine used example of the 3d Indian red & chestnut 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 24,540 stamps issued between February 1882 and June 1886. Although he does not specify how many printings were made, through research and careful study I have been able to identify 9 printings. This example is from the 7th printing. Vertical wove paper showing no visible mesh and watermarked crown CA. The stamp is cancelled with an unobtrusive strike of the Proud type K2 Lagos 8-bar bootheel killer - the predominant cancel in use at the time.

Stanley Gibbons values a VF-75 used example at 8.5 pounds = $17. A fine example should be worth approximately half this amount, or $8.50.

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

The stamp offered here grades F-70 follows:

Margins/centering: 30/60

Paper freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Cancellation: 10/10