Auction: 6010 - Important Stamps & Covers of the World - Washington Philatelic Exhibition Auction
Lot: 156
Mauritius 1848 "post paid" Issue Printing Impressions The definition between the various states of the plate has been much discussed over the years, particularly in the Dale-Lichtenstein and Kanai sale catalogues. The plates wore slowly over a considerable period of time with some parts of individual plates wearing quicker than others. As there is no clear "cut off" date between listed impression groups we have chosen our descriptions of impression as carefully as possible given the various historical data available. We do not undertake to guarantee precisely the impression of the stamps and lots are not returnable for this reason. It is our opinion that covers bearing the 2d. value dated prior to 1850 are of the earliest impression, and early impressions occur mostly between 1853 and 1854 1848-59 "post paid" full early to earliest impression, 2d. deep blue on bluish white paper, [7] showing "penoe" spelling error, very large to enormous margins all round, cancelled with circle of bars on 1849 (3 July) entire from Port Louis "p Pondicherry" to Bordeaux, showing Crowned "mauritius/g p o" datestamp below the adhesive and showing, on reverse, Bordeaux arrival c.d.s. for 6 October. Truly exceptional and the only known example of the earliest impression with "penoe" variety known on cover. R.P.S. Certificate (1959)
Sold for
$150,000