A stunning example of the Canadian 1852-1857 12d black stamp is to appear at a UK auction entitled The Collector's Series on November 14.

The auction features a huge selection of the finest stamps from across the British Commonwealth and Great Britain, with a select number of world stamps also appearing.

The stamp will sell in the region of £9,500 despite its poor condition

The 12 pence stamp is among some of the rarest available in Canadian philately. Featuring an image of the young Queen Victoria, they are rarely seen at auction and are often in poor condition.

The stamp at auction is a used example, which has been stamped with a light concentric circles cancellation. It boasts large margins all round and is an appealing example, despite having been repaired and a defect at the upper right. It is expected to bring £8,500-9,500 ($13,500-15,500).

The stamp's predecessor, the 1851 12d black, is an almost identical stamp, though it is significantly rarer with just 1,450 ever issued. Paul Fraser Collectibles is currently offering a unique unhinged example - dubbed The Black Empress - which is renowned throughout the philatelic community. It is undoubtedly the finest in existence.

Selling at the top of the auction is a superb marginal example of the Australian £1 Kangaroo issue, which was one of the first to be issued in the country. Bearing the third watermark with a bright CA monogram in the margin, it is expected to sell for £20,000-25,000 ($32,500-40,500).