Lot 61752 – 1861 60c brown lilac pair with complete “SSS” monogram cancel

1861 60c brown lilac, a magnificent vertical pair with good even impression and large balanced margins, tied to piece by two superb strikes of mute “SSS” monogram negative cancel; the finest example recorded of this extremely rare cancellation, with which only about five stamps are known, being unique on a multiple and exhibiting the handstamp complete, a delightful exhibition item; cert. Hernández Rocha (2008); ex Lee, Díaz/Mercedes, Hubbard and Scott.

Note: This cancel was illustrated by Lee in his handbook and remarked upon as being “exceptionally scarce”, and it is presumed to have been used from 1864. There is undoubtedly an aurea of fascination around the origin (unknown) and the visual esthetic of this device, in a classic period in Uruguay where a negative handstamp is exceptional.