British Indian Ocean Territory 1968 10r multicoloured, "Badge of Seychelles" type 1 overprint on Seychelles, top marginal vertical pair, the upper stamp variety 'No stop after B' (R1/8), neatly cancelled by part strikes of '(DESROC)HES ISLAND' circular date stamps.
A very fine and rare marginal used vertical pair of this issue showing variety, which is very scarce. Tear in top margin does not detract from overall quality and value.
The British Indian Ocean Territory was created as a crown colony on 8 November 1865 when it comprised the Chagos Archipelago, previously administered by Mauritius, together with the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar and Desroches, previously administered by Seychelles. The islands are used mainly by the UK and the USA as an airbase occupied by military personnel and a few private contractors.
The first stamps used from 17 January 1968 were Seychelles stamps overprinted “B.I.O.T.”
The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £210+.
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