Great Britain 1911 6d bright magenta (chalk-surfaced paper), SG296.
A superb unused example, with original gum, of this extremely rare Somerset House shade that was withdrawn from sale on the day it was issued.
Without a doubt, one of the most important rarities from the short reign of King Edward VII.
GB Specialised Catalogue No: M35.
Accompanied with a 1948 Royal Philatelic Society (RPS) Certificate of Authenticity.
This single beautiful design was one of a series of definitive stamps encapsulating the entire stamp-issuing output of King Edward VII's reign.
The 6d bright magenta was issued posthumously on the October 31, 1911. The next day, it was immediately withdrawn from use. It was in circulation for just one day.
It was immediately replaced with 6d stamps issued on ordinary paper.
You see, there was a problem with this stamp…
There is no denying the bright magenta colour chosen for the six pence stamp was striking.
Unfortunately, it did not agree with the paper chosen by the printers at Somerset House.
They wanted to use chalk surfaced paper, which was believed to improve the quality of the impression and to make it more difficult for postmarks to be removed.
When printed, it became clear that the ink used reacted with the chalky surface of the paper and caused a variation in the colour.
What’s even more interesting is that you can see the paper itself actually fluorescent bright lemon under a long wave ultraviolet light.
After being withdrawn, most copies were destroyed.
So today, it is now an iconic stamp, rarely ever seeing the light of day.
Very few opportunities arise where you could get your hands on one.
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