Belgian Congo centre invert has $60,000 minimum in US auction

One of the rarest invert stamps, the Belgian Congo 10f, is to provide the stand out lot of a US auction, which will be held on January 9-10, 2013.

The centre invert is expected to sell with excellent results and will open with a minimum bid of $60,000. In December 2011, another example was sold for a record $141,529 from the collection of chess champion Anatoly Karpov.

1894 Belgian congo 10 franc invert
Unlike Karpov's, this example is without gum



More of Karpov's illustrious Belgian collection has recently sold in Geneva. Our interview with auctioneer David Feldman reveals more on the Karpov collection and his views on stamp investment.

There are only around five examples of the 1894 Belgian Congo 10f centre invert known to exist, placing it among the rarest stamps in the world. Most of these examples have varying degrees of faults, though this is a particularly fine copy with strong centring and deep colour.

Unlike the Karpov example, this stamp is without gum, though it is unused. Originating from the General Dufour collection, it will be sold complete with a brand new certificate from Belgian Congo expert Pierre Kaiser.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has a superb selection of the rarest world stamps for sale, including two unique offerings: the Hong Kong 96c error block and the magnificent Black Empress.

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