Lot 459 Norfolk Island #21-22, 26-28 7d on 7.5d - 2/8d on 7.5d, 1958-1960 Surcharged Pictorial Definitive Issue, a VFNH Mint Set

A well centered and very fine NH complete set of the 1958-60 surcharged pictorial definitive issue. These appear to be printed on a mix of cream and what papers as follows:

• 7d on 7.5d, 8d on 8.5d are on cream paper
• 1/1 on 3.5d is on white paper
• 2/5d on 6.5d is on white paper
• 2/8d on 7.5d is on both cream and white papers

These stamps were printed by the Reserve Bank of Australia and thus will mirror Australian issues of the period, in terms of the varieties that exist. The surcharges will have been applied to existing stocks, which would include both cream and white papers, as some of the existing stocks would have been printed before 1956, when the white papers were first introduced, and some after that.

Scott lists these stamps at $27 for VFNH. The stamps offered here grade between 80 and 84 as follows:

Centering/Margins 50/70, and 54/70

Paper freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10