Lot 70807 – One of the Rarest Classic Stamps of Europe 1858

One of the Rarest Classic Stamps of Europe 1858-61 80 Parale Red on greenish-blue paper, an impressive unused example of this Second Issue rarity, mint with full brownish original gum, very large even margins all around, stunningly fresh, a superb item for the true connoisseur of quality as well as rarity Expertise: Certificate A. Diena (as blue pelure paper) and Heimbüchler (2008; see « Note » below) Note: the Heimbüchler certificate clearly states this stamp is NOT on the « normal » lilac-bluish paper, which is exceptionally rare (reportedly 3 unused known), but on an even scarcer unrecorded greenish-blue paper, « Possibly a rare shade between, which happened when different papers were bought and used by the printing office. » Such a distinction is primarily of academic interest. In any case, it is NOT the yellowish-white paper on which nearly all unused examples are found, and may well be UNIQUE on this shade of blue paper. Background: Heimbüchler (Handbook I) states, « the 80 parale on bluish paper is surprisingly rare…even rarer than the unused 81 parale of the first Moldavia issue » (only 35 recorded, with only 25 seen since 1950). Provenance: Tomasini Estimate: € 20’000 – € 30’000