Lot 95 Straits Settlements SC#91a, SG#108a 1899 Surcharge Issue, The Very Rare Double Surcharge, 3 Fine/Very Fine Used Singles, Click on Listing to See ALL Pictures, Estimated Value $1,508

3 fine/very fine used singles from the 1899 Surcharge Issue, with 2 being the normal surcharge and one being the very rare double surcharge. This surcharge is reasonably easy to authenticate as the basic stamp with normal surcharge is fairly inexpensive. If the dimensions and characteristics of the double surcharge matches the normal surcharges, this should provide sufficient assurance that this is an authentic error. Looking at the normal surcharge, we can see the following characteristics; 1) width of 'cents' 9.75mm, 2) the font is antique and 3) the distance between the base of the '4' and the top of the 'n' in cents is exactly 2mm and 4) If you drop a perpendicular from the right side of the crossbar of the '4' straight down it will touch the left side of the cross bar of the 't' in cents. If the double surcharge is genuine, the characteristics of each overprint should match the above. 1) the first impression, the one higher up is an exact match. 2) the second impression is also an exact match. So, it is highly likely to us that this would get a clear cert if we were to submit it to the RRSL. We'd be happy to do that for the successful bidder. Our estimate of the value based on the condition is $1,508. The stamp does need a bit of a soak to clean up the back, but what you see there should come off without too much trouble.