A rare overprint of the Australian 1865 4d carmine swan has sold for $34,220 at Kelleher Auctions in New York.

The sale took place on March 29-30, with the stamp topping the sale of the Jack M Shartsis collection.

The swan emblem featured on the majority of Western Australian stamps

The majority of the early stamps issued in Western Australia feature a swan design, which stands in contrast to the other outposts of the British empire - which almost universally depicted the monarch.

As with most swan stamps printed between 1861-1885, the example sold displays rough margins. This is due to the inaccuracy of the perforation machines in use at the time.

An 1872 4d on surcharge omitted, issued in South Australia, made $33,040.

Only 13 examples of this rare issue are known to exist, of which only eight are still in circulation. This is one of the finest specimens.

It features a central image of Queen Victoria on deep ultramarine along with a large star watermark indicating it was cancelled in Adelaide in 1879.

We have this rare 1885-1886 New South Wales £1 stamp available.

A Newfoundland 1927 60c De Pinedo flight stamp, one of 33 surviving examples, hammered for $31,860.

Only 300 of the stamps were printed for airmail flown by Italian aviator Francesco De Pinedo.

The present lot features strong margins and a well-centred impression.

Click here for our free newsletter to get the latest on stamps and other collectibles.