THE WORLD’S RARE SI

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10908, 28 May 1929, Page 5

THE WORLD’S RARE SI

A l NJ.QI E BUST AGE STAMP

At the International Philatelic Exhibition which is being hold at Le Havre what is believed to be the mose valuable postage stamp in the world will be on view to thousands of no doubt envious eves. It is the i-con i stamp of British Guiana, locally printed from printer's stock typo to meet a temporary lack _of tiq* regular issue in .February, 1856, of which no other example lias ever Deoil brought to light. This, the rarest of all postage stamps, was discovered by a schoolboy among some forgotten correspondence in a garret at' Georgetown. Domcrara, and because of Us unprepossessing appearance was promptly passed on to a fellow collector lor a few shillings. It found its way into the world-famous collection oi Baron Kenatiere v'on' Ferrari. and it remained for over 40 years until on the dispersal of the Ferrari treasures by order of the French custodian of enemy property in 1922 it was acquired by its present owner. Ylr. Arthur ITind, of Utica, XM .. for the record sum of £?.-'0().

The main feature of this remarkable stamp is the device of a sailing .ship taken from the heading to Shipping Notes in Hie Gazette enclosed m a simple type-set. frame and surrounded by the motto “Damns I'etimusque Vicissim." i’ostatly used, it .is printed in. black on paper of a dark magenta color and is endorsed with the postmaster’s initials E.D.W. In view of the steady appreciation in the values of stamps during the oast lew years it is .probable that the stamp is now Worth not fan short of £ 10,000.