Long Island 1916 (7 May) 6d mauve inscribed 'SIX PENCE', typewritten (carbon) on thin horizontally laid with initials in red, SG19.
A fresh mint example. There is an unobtrusive crease at foot, and minor paper blemishes. Such imperfections are, however, common for this stamp with this example being above average.
An extremely rare stamp as only 60 were originally produced, from which Gibbs recorded only 16 unused examples (and 1 used).
The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £1,600.
Long Island is a small island, in the Gulf of Smyrna, which was under Turkish rule as Chustan (or Keustan). It was occupied by the British Navy during April 1916 and renamed Long Island.
In May 1916, local stamps were issued between 7 and 26 May 1916. They were typewritten and inscribed 'GRI LONG ISLAND'. They were provided by the Civil Administrator, Lieutenant Commander H. Pirie-Gordon.
Long Island stamps are very scarce and rarely come onto the market and considered great rarities of British Commonwealth collecting. They hold a certain primitive charm and have always proved popular amongst a wide range of collectors.
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