Great Britain 1929 £1 Postal Union Congress, SG438.
A very fine unmounted mint example with full original gum, widely regarded as one of the most striking stamps ever issued.
The PUC £1 managed to encapsulate everything that defined English pride at the time. The elaborate design depicting the patron saint of England, Saint George, slaying the dragon is an image designed to command attention.
It was printed using the line engraved technique by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co, using printing plates they also manufactured.
The watermark is unique to this stamp, comprising a large format GvR with crown over single cypher.
The print run was very low compared to most other stamps at the time. Only 61,000 were ever printed. Compare this to the 68 million stamps issued for the Penny Black!
Although the PUC £1 does have a high survival rate, unmounted mint examples in perfect condition are not common. As such, I have always considered this stamp undervalued by the market.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £1,100.
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