Lot 6017 o
New Zealand, 1855, Queen Victoria "Chalon Head", 1d dull carmine, London printing, Large Star watermark, vertical pair, cancelled by light "11" barred oval of Port Ahuriri, large margins to slightly in at bottom, fresh with rich color, both stamps slightly thinned, top stamp with small tear at top, F.-V.F. appearance, E.J. Lee, H.R. Harmer, January 1942, lot 313; with 1987 Odenweller and 2002 R.P.S.N.Z. certificates. Scott No. 1. Campbell Paterson No. A1a.SG No. 1 £40,000 + as singles ($52,560).
THE ONLY RECORDED VERTICAL PAIR OF THE 1855 LONDON PRINT ISSUE.
As Odenweller discusses, there are very few London print multiples and this is the only recorded vertical multiple for any value. It is believed that the stamps were cut into rows of 12 for easy storage and record keeping in shillings.
References: Illustrated in Odenweller as fig. 2.13, p. 32.
Realized: $5,250