Australian 4d blue stamp realises 70% increase on estimate

An Australian 1854-1855 4d blue stamp proved the headline lot in a sale of the Vestey Collection at Spink London.

One of only 15 extant, it beat an estimate of £60,000 ($89,999) by 70% to make £102,000 ($158,202) yesterday.

Blue stamp 4d
The 4d stamp was issued between 1854 and 1855

The stamp displays an inverted frame and has been cancelled by a black void obliterator.

Spink explained in the run-up to the sale: "The 4d. value was prepared using a transfer of 60 positions from the Perkins, Bacon engraved 1d. plate. The frames were then painted out and individually replaced by transfers taken originally from a drawing of the 4d. frame probably direct onto the stone.

"Four transfers were then taken from this intermediate stone to construct the printing stone of 240 impressions."

When the run finished a number of errors were found and a new printing stone was set up, although many of the mistakes continued to appear.

A block of 60 1854 1d stamps, the highest recorded multiple, sold for £35,000 ($54,265).

Spink described it as "an outstanding multiple of the highest exhibition calibre."

We have a fascinating selection of rare stamps for sale, click here to take a look.

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