One of the most sought after stamps in philately, the Canada 1868 two-cent Large Queen on Laid Paper, is coming to auction in the near future.

It is one of several Canadian gems set to cross the auction block over the next four years from the collection of Ron Brigham, according to Maclean's magazine.

One of just three 1868 two-cent Large Queens in existence

Canadian Brigham has set up his own auction house, Brigham Auctions, to sell off the entirety of his $10m estimated collection, with the first auction taking place later in the year.

Charles Verge, the stamp expert in charge of running the auction house, believes the Canada 1868 two-cent, one of just three in existence, could make us much as $1m.

What the auction house describes as "the only marginal mint pair and the largest recorded mint multiple" of the 1851 12d. Black will also feature.

We are selling the only mint, never hinged single 1851 12d. Black in existence. It is so special it even has its own name: The Black Empress.

Will the series of auctions make the $10m valuation?

"It is very difficult to ascribe values when material has never been on the market," Verge warns.

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