BLACK OVERPRINT: 'VN.' on Irregular Compound Perf 11½-12½x11½-12½x10x11½-12½ 4d deep purple, well centred, a couple of tiny imperfections that hardly detract, light GPO cds of SP28/73. Rated RRRRRR: unrecorded unused. Ex Bernhard Forster. [Date range 4.9.1873 to 28.9.1873] This is the Holy Grail for collectors of the South Australian Departmentals. Four examples have been recorded. Reverend EP Raynor owned an example: it has not been seen since 1965 and may no longer be extant. The location of AE Fryar's example - offered in a mixed lot (!) - is not known. That leaves only two stamps confirmed in private hands, of which the other is badly defective. NB: The two recorded Perf 10 examples - Ex Rev James Mursell and in the institutionalised Sir George Murray collection - are generally considered to be of improbable authenticity. Ron Butler notes the existence of 2d & 4d stamps with a 'V.N.' overprint and suggests they have been discredited. The 'V.N.' Perf 10 4d in Colonel Harry Napier (III) was unsold, strongly suggesting that no potential buyer accepted its bona fides, despite it having a clear RPSofL Certificate.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$25,000