WORLD'S RAREST STAMP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20255, 15 May 1929, Page 16

WORLD'S RAREST STAMP.

EXHIBITION AT LE HAVRE. The most valuable postage stamp in the world lias been taken from America to Franco for public display at the International Philatelic Exhibition, which is to take place at Lo Havre from May 18 to 26. It is the one-cent stamp of British Guiana, locally printed from printer's stock ,typo to raeet a temporary lack of regular issue in February, 1856, of which no other example has ever been brought to light. This rarest of all postngo stamps was discovered by a schoolboy among some forgotten correspondence in a garrofc at Georgetown, Uemerara, and because of its unprepossessing appearance was promptly passed on to a fellow collector for a few shillings. It found its way into the world-famous collection of Baron Renotiere von Ferrari, and there it remained for over 40 years until on (ho dispersal of_ the Ferrari treasures by order of the French custodian of enemy property in 1922, it was acquired by its present owner, Mr. Arthur Hhid, of Utiea, Now York, for (he record sum of £7500. Tho main feature of this remarkable stamp is the devico of a sailing ship taken from the heading to shipping notes in the Gazette enclosed in a simple typeset frame and surrounded by tho motto " Damus Petimusquo Vicissim." Postally used, it is printed in black on paper of a dark magenta colour, and is endorsed with the postmaster's initials, E.D.W. In view of the steady appreciation in the values of stamps during the past few years, it is probable that the stamp is now worth not far short of £lClllfO(X