Special Jubilee Auction #203 - Euro (€)

One of the Rarest Classic Stamps of Europe

1858-61 80 Parale Red on greenish-blue paper, an impressive unused example of this Second Issue rarity, mint with full brownish original gum, very large even margins all around, stunningly fresh, a superb item for the true connoisseur of quality as well as rarity

Expertise: Certificate A. Diena (as blue pelure paper) and Heimbüchler (2008; see "Note" below)

Note: the Heimbüchler certificate clearly states this stamp is NOT on the "normal" lilac-bluish paper, which is exceptionally rare (reportedly 3 unused known), but on an even scarcer unrecorded greenish-blue paper, "Possibly a rare shade between, which happened when different papers were bought and used by the printing office." Such a distinction is primarily of academic interest. In any case, it is NOT the yellowish-white paper on which nearly all unused examples are found, and may well be UNIQUE on this shade of blue paper.

Background: Heimbüchler (Handbook I) states, "the 80 parale on bluish paper is surprisingly rare...even rarer than the unused 81 parale of the first Moldavia issue" (only 35 recorded, with only 25 seen since 1950).

Provenance: Tomasini

Estimate: ? 20'000 - ? 30'000