As we've reported, a California auctioneer is putting together an auction which includes some high quality space memorabilia from Apollo 11 - notably a space-flown cover signed by Neil Armstrong.

Nevertheless, the most valuable lots of the auction are not the items of space memorabilia, but the rare stamps, in particular a classic British Commonwealth rarity.

This is an incredibly rare lower marginal mint vertical pair of the Newfoundland (C1) 1919 Hawker Flight 3¢ Red Brown Overprinted. Pairs are virtually unknown, and the one being offered is the finer of the only two known.

A very fresh pair, the bottom stamp is in mint never hinged condition, though the top stamp certainly has been previously hinged, and is fine plus. Both stamps have the manuscript 'J.A.R.' on the reverse, the initials on the back being those of the Postmaster J.A. Robinson.

Newfoundland Hawker Flight Red Brown stamp pair

These stamps were made to frank the correspondence carried by Lieut. H. Hawker on his Trans-Atlantic flight. Of these, 18 were damaged and destroyed, 95 were used on letters, 11 given as presentation copies, and the remaining 75 were sold in aid of the Marine Disasters Fund.

Undoubtedly, one Canada's greatest airpost rarities, this makes for a wonderful showpiece and justifies its $50000-$75000 listing.

Collectors keen on truly rare, investment-grade stamps of Britain and the British Commonwealth will also want to take a look at an extremely rare example of the Tyrian Plum which we currently have in stock.

Only 12 examples remain in private hands, and we are so confident of its future value that we're offering it with our unique 120% guarantee.