Description:

1908-09 Shilling Values with Stroke 20/- dull green BW #D75 (SG D62), exceptional centring, a little aged still but a very attractive example of this howlingly rare stamp, very fine part-strike of the distinctive '[PAR]CELS B[RANCH/GPO SYDNEY]' cds in violet, Cat $75,000 (£50,000). One of the great rarities of Australian philately. The RPSofV has issued a clear certificate.



The ACSC states that this value was issued only in Sydney, that no examples were cancelled-to-order for presentation purposes or collectors' sets, and that usage was "extremely limited". It also states "...Two examples of...the 20/-...cancelled with the Parcels Branch Sydney datestamp in violet are recorded...One is badly creased..." The damaged stamp surfaced at an American auction in 2013 and sold for $US28,750 despite the obvious damage.



The stamp offered here is a new discovery, having been held for many years in a three-generation collection in New South Wales: see Lot 180.