Lot 279 Lagos SG#31 (SC#19) 2.5d Dull Ultramarine & Grey Blue, Queen Victoria, 1887-1902 Bicoloured Crown CA Watermarked Issue, Type 1, 14th Printing, A Fine Mint Part OG Example, 2022 Scott Classic Cat. $8 USD For the Commonest Printing

A very fine centered and fine mint part OG example of the 2.5d dull ultramarine and grey blue Queen Victoria De La Rue Keyplate stamp from the 1887-1902 bicoloured Crown CA watermarked issue, type 1 letters. According to J.F Ince in his definitive work, there were a total of 428,040 stamps sent to the colony and no remainders returned to London in 1905 for destruction. Thus, the net quantity issued was the full 428,040. This was spread out over between 42 and 43 printings. The higher estimate of 45 is based on 1 printing per calendar quarter, during the life of the issue, which is consistent with what was usually done at this time. However, in my study of mint and used examples, I believe that I have identified 42 different printings made between April 1891 and August 1901. The majority of the printings have the head and duty plate (value) printed in ultramarine. But a small proportion, being the first two printings had the two plates printed in blue. The April 1894 printing was also made in a distinct shade of dull ultramarine & grey blue. This is the 14th printing from April 1894.

Further according to Ince, the April 1894 shipment arrived in the colony with most stamps stuck together, which meant that most had to be soaked apart. So, most examples do not have gum. This one has a small part OG, with a few spots of toning, which is why it grades fine rather than VF. Still this is a distinct and scarce printing, and should be listed in Gibbons, given how different it is from all the other stamps offered this week.

Gibbons lists two types of this value: one with smaller, thinner letters and numerals and one with larger, taller, thicker numerals and values. This example clearly has type 1 lettering.

Stanley Gibbons values a VF-75 mint example at 8 pounds = $16, for hinged. This is for the common ultramarine single colour stamps. This one would be worth a premium if it had full gum, so we would estimate the value still at $15.

I have written six blog posts which outline the differences between the printings. You can access the first of these here.

The stamp offered here grades F-68 as follows:

Margins/centering: 45/70

Paper freshness: 0/5 (toning spots on back)

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 8/10