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Lot 70011 – 1851, 12d black, laid paper, The Finest Mint Example in Existence of the 1851 12d Black on Laid Paper, The Most Valuable Stamp of British North America – Canada

1851, 12d black, laid paper, The Finest Mint Example in Existence of the 1851 12d Black on Laid Paper, The Most Valuable Stamp of British North America - Canada
1851, 12d black, laid paper, The Finest Mint Example in Existence of the 1851 12d Black on Laid Paper, The Most Valuable Stamp of British North America - Canada
1851, 12d black, laid paper, The Finest Mint Example in Existence of the 1851 12d Black on Laid Paper, The Most Valuable Stamp of British North America - Canada
1851, 12d black, laid paper, The Finest Mint Example in Existence of the 1851 12d Black on Laid Paper, The Most Valuable Stamp of British North America - Canada
Lot 70011 – 1851, 12d black, laid paper, The Finest Mint Example in Existence of the 1851 12d Black on Laid Paper, The Most Valuable Stamp of British North America – Canada
Canada
Prix réalisé
Invendu
Estimation
250’000 – 400’000 EUR
Date de vente
jeu. 3 déc. 2020 at 20:00 (Europe/Zurich)
Description

THE « BLACK EMPRESS »

A « Mona Lisa » of Philately – An Ultimate Representation of Beauty and Quality in a World Classic Rarity

The Most Valuable Stamp of British North America – The Icon of the Area

1851, 12d black, laid paper, the renowned and legendary mint example of this world class rarity, in an incomparable state of preservation, graced by its overall great freshness, very good impression also confirmed by an outstanding colour, with pristine gum which has been never hinged, very large and balanced margins all around being huge at bottom and thus proving that it most likely originates from the base of the sheet, clearly exhibiting the laid lines on the reverse; the beauty and delicacy of its design, displaying a gracious posture and featuring a slender neck and head of the Queen, combined with the immaculate quality give this example the ultimate characteristics for the discerning stamp collector, being the finest mint example in existence of the 1851 12d Black on Laid Paper. It was properly described as « the epitome of perfection » by Charles F. Shreve in the Spink-Shreves Galleries auction sale of this stamp. A wonderful item for the most advanced collector of Canadian philately, as well as for collectors with great taste and discernment looking for exquisitenesses in great rarities of the world

Note: The stamp was assigned a « Superb 98 », an extraordinary grade which the Philatelic Foundation only gives to stamps in an absolutely outstanding quality, and which would be very difficult to match by any other world class rarity in a pristine state of preservation. (Mint hinged examples of this stamp have been sold in the past for up to US$300,000, and since experts place a premium of 300% on never hinged stamps, this example may be theoretically valued at US$1.2 millions). It was sold at auction in 2011 for US$425,000 (not including the 15% buyer’s premium)

Expertise: Certs. Philatelic Foundation (« Superb 98 », 2010) and Sissons (1965)

Réf catalogue: Scott 3

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