As we've reported Spink Shreves is to hold an exciting auction later this month with at least two fine pieces of American history on offer. These are a free-franked cover signed by President Thomas Jefferson and one sent to a soldier at Custer's last stand.

The latter marks the soldier's sad demise, as he died near General Custer and the letter was returned to its writer.

But the sale's highlights are not by any means restricted to America. One lot in particular would make a centrepiece for a high quality Russian collection.

This is an 1875 10 kopek brown and blue stamp with its centre inverted,an attractive used example of this important rarity, featuring deep luxuriant colours and strong impressions.

Russian 10 kopek centrally-inverted brown and blue stamp

It is quite well centred for the issue, with a neat portion of a town circular date stamp at the bottom, couple of small flaws (minor thin spot and slightly rounded corner at top left) which neither detract from its very fine appearance, nor its desirability given how few are known to exist.

This stamp ranks among the greatest rarities of the world, with only five examples recorded - all of which are used.

A spectacular rarity that has graced the collections of several famous collectors such as Ferrary, Rothschild, Goss and Cunliffe, it is expected to achieve $65,000.

Regular readers will remember the impressive results of some cousins of this stamp lot at Cherrystone last year, when it sold the Alexander collection.

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