Lagos SG#2 2d Deep Dull Blue & Prussian Blue 4th Printing Crown CC Watermark Perf.12.5 VF-75 UN

A very fine unused example of the 2d deep dull blue & Prussian blue 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 14,160 stamps issued across 4 different printings between May 12, 1874 and May 13, 1875. This example is from the last fourth printing from May 13, 1875, of which 6,540 stamps were printed. Vertical wove paper showing fine vertical mesh and watermarked crown CC. No gum, which is not unusual given that crown CC issues often do not have gum. Stanley Gibbons values a VF-75 mint example at 80 pounds = $160. The stamp offered here grades VF-75 unused as follows: Margins/centering: 54/70 Paper freshness: 0/5 Colour: 5/5 Impression: 5/5 Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5 Perforations: 6/10