Lot 71091 – 1896-1902 6d green, wmk 6, perf 12 1/2-13, the celebrated mystery stamp in the type 19 design

1896-1902 6d green, wmk 6, perf 12 1/2-13, the celebrated mystery stamp in the type 19 design (with figures of value in the lower corners), a phenomenal HORIZONTAL PAIR, used with ‘PARCEL POST / BRISBANE’ cds, dated ‘MAY 02’ minor separation and wrinkles mentioned for accuracy, but very fine appearance with fresh colour, a unique and stunning exhibition show piece and a star item of early Australian Commonwealth Philately, cert. BPA (2007) (SG £32’000 as singles).

Both stamps are Design 1, type ‘A’ (with bust lines at lower left touching oval) as defined in the (2004) study (ASC Vol 1, pp 88-9). 16 single examples (many with faults) were discovered between 1903 and 2004, but this is the first recorded multiple, discovered in an old ‘junior’ collection. The most likely explanation of its existence remains the inadvertent substitution of cliches of this otherwise unissued design into a plate of the type 21 design (with figures of value in all four corners).