Lot 169 Lagos SG#1 1d Reddish Violet First Printing Crown CC Watermark Perf. 12.5 Line VF-81 Used, 2022 Scott Classic cat. $50 USD For Most Common Printing

A very well centered and attractive used example of the 1d reddish violet Queen Victoria De La Rue Keyplate stamp from the 1874-1876 Perf. 12.5 Crown CC issue. According to J.F Ince in his definitive work, there were a total of 19,800 stamps issued across 6 different printings between May 12, 1874 and May 13, 1875. This example is from the very scarce first printing, of which only 1,980 stamps were printed. It is postmarked with the Lagos CDS that bears no date, but only a time code B. These are not listed in Proud, But are very scarce and pre-date the more common Proud types D6 and D7 that are seen throughout the period. Vertical wove paper showing no visible mesh and watermarked crown CC. Stanley Gibbons values a VF-75 used example of the more common sixth printing at 50 pounds = $100. However, only 10% of all stamps in existence are from the first printing, and consequently, they are worth at least double the Gibbons price. The stamp offered here grades VF-81 used as follows:

Margins/centering: 44/60

Paper freshness: 4/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 8/10

Cancellation: 10/10