A block of four 1930 Italian Royal Wedding stamps sold for $75,557 at Spink Switzerland on January 30.
The lot is one of a test series printed on a green background. The official issue was printed on an orange background.
 The 1930 royal wedding series was ultimately printed on an orange background |
This is the only known multiple of this rare stamp, which was printed as a single sheet of 50.
The sale included a wealth of philatelic artefacts from around the world.
An 1847 5c blue "Lady McLeod" was another highlight, realising $22,653.
The stamp is among the most famous issued in the British Empire. It was designed specifically for use aboard the steamship Lady McLeod, which ferried between Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago and San Fernando, California.
It allowed passengers to pay the postage prior to delivery. The present lot is among the finest surviving specimens.
An1861 Uruguayan cover displaying several Montevideo 100c deep carmine stamps sold for an identical sum of $22,653.
It also bears the exceptionally rare San Carlos double oval along with a Thick Figures 100c franking.
Spink described the piece as: "a marvellous exhibition item and one of the most important rarities in Uruguayan philately."
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