At Spink's auction of rare stamps of the world yesterday a particularly intriguing example of an early West Indian colonial stamp proved to be one of the one of the pieces which most excited bidders.

The piece is a block of 12 Barbados blue 1d stamps, dating from 1861-70 taken from the lower left hand corner of the pane. They are imperforate (hence requiring to be cut with scissors, as was typical of early stamps).

The block lacks original gum, but is in fine condition save for some mild creasing in the white margin - a very rare and attractive piece in all.

Barbados 1d stamp block

Estimated at £4,000-4,500, (and the Stanley Gibbons listing is just £4,500) the lot was quickly buffeted up by bidders to sell for an impressive £7,500.

Stamp collectors sometimes specialise in particular islands, and for someone collecting Barbadian stamps this could be the centrepiece for their collection. A beautiful collection of stamps sold the same day for £23,000.

Spink, with whom we had an exclusive interview earlier this week, will now be looking forward to their stamp sale coming up in Hong Kong later this month.