Robert A Siegel are presenting an important sale of collectible stamps next week: the 'Hampshire' collection.

Amongst the many fine pieces on offer, perhaps the most exciting is a Bright Red Brown shade variety of the Red Brown 1856 5 cent (listed as Scott 28).

This is the first unused example of this variant that the prominent auctioneers have offered.  The natural comparison is with the Indian Red variant (28a) of which only five examples exist with any part of their original gum, and these are valued at no less than $100,000.

Bright Red Brown 5 cent

With that consideration in mind, the $70,000 estimate for this piece seems if anything conservative. There are even fewer known examples of the Bright Red Variant (28b) in reasonable condition.

This example is still in possession of a large part of its original gum, and is fresh and attractive. It may represent a good investment opportunity if sold at that price.

The sale takes place in New York and online. Robert A Siegel sold a Pony Express envelope for a record late last year.