As we've reported, Cherrystone has completed its latest Rare Stamps and Covers of the World auction with an Argentine cover proving to be a somewhat surprising highlight.

However, more predictable was the performance of some investment-grade Columbian multiples.

The first was an 1859 5c and 20c blue, se-tenant, Stone A block, presenting positions 24-26/35-37/46-48, and containing the 5c transfer error (position 35) on a plate of 20c, forming a se-tenant multiple with adjoining stamps.

Position 25 is the retouched transfer, unused with full original gum, large margins, beautiful rich colour and fresh paper with the usual horizontal and vertical gum creases, in very fine condition. This is the smaller of the only two se-tenant blocks known.

Worth every penny... the Columbian se-tenant stamp block ($50,000)

Another was an 1859 20c blue, tete-beche, stone A block, presenting positions 1-4/12-15, with top left corner sheet margins, containing the inverted transfer at position 13, forming a tete-beche multiple with adjoining stamps.

Unused with full original gum, hinge remnants, large margins all around, bright fresh colour and paper and the usual gum creases, it is in very fine condition, and signed Alberto Diena.

Each is considered to beone of the "Aristocrats" of South American Philately and they were offered with listings of $50,000.

In an extremely unusual outcome, that was exactly the hammer price for each of the lots, bringing $100,000 in all.

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