Special Jubilee Auction #203 - Euro (€)

Largest Known Multiple of the First Issue

1855 4sk Blue used BLOCK OF 39, plated as coming from pane B, positions 11-50 (thus comprising nearly a fifth of the printing plate of 200!) and neatly cancelled by numerals "306" in concentric circles, used at Trondheim.

The block was discovered at Trondheim's Central Railroad Station, affixed to a parcel of documents to the USA which had been returned as undeliverable - and then forgotten for about 75 years!

The "Trondheim" block was first exhibited at the 1930 Oslo International Philatelic exhibition, and confirmed the recently published plating of the 1855 4 Skilling by Jellestad and Odfjell.

As can be expected from such a large used multiple, there are faults including trivial creases and tears which certainly do not detract from its stunning, vibrant appearance.

Without doubt the most important philatelic item of Norway, and a major world rarity.

Exhibited: Oslo 1930 & 2005 (75th & 150th anniversary exhibitions)
New York 1996 Anphilex "Aristocrats of Philately," London 1997 & Monaco 1997 "Rare Stamps of the World" exhibitions

Literature: "Handbok over Norges Frimerker" (1963, vol. I, p. 61)

Provenance: Pieter Ahl

Estimate: ? 200'000 - ? 300'000