An 1862-1871 US $500 "large Persian rug" second issue revenue stamp has doubled its estimate at auction.
It sold for $35,000 at Robert A Siegel yesterday, against a $17,500 valuation.
 The stamp is said to resemble a Persian rug |
Rarity was its key attribute.
The well-centred beauty, with its original gum, is one of just four known examples to bear sheet margins and imprints. Only 210 examples were issued in all.
The item was the star lot of the third part of the Grant Inman collection sale, comprised solely of revenue stamps.
In contrast to the example above, one of the 210 without sheet margins and imprints sold for a comparatively modest $13,500.
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