New Zealand 1899-1903 2s blue-green, no watermark, perfortions 11, vertical pair from R9/10/7 on sheet, the upper stamp with marked re-entry/plate scratches, SG269.
A fine mint pair with large part original gum (matt gum, lower stamp unmounted). A few tiny tones, but still of fine appearance.
A scarce and interesting pair.
Provenance: Ex Michael Burberry, with his enlarged drawing showing the flaws.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £320+.
One of the most attractive designs from what was the first pictorial series from a major British colony. The design of Milford Sound is home to some of the most impressive waterfalls on earth.
It was customary at this time for the monarch’s head to form the basis of most stamp designs. As such, this first pictorial definitive series, issued in 1898, caught the public’s attention.
The designs stemmed from a public design competition launched in 1895, offering cash prizes for the best designs. This approach was to support the government policy of encouraging new settlers and promoting tourism at that time.
The superb engraved views of New Zealand’s scenery, with Mountains and water proving the most popular subjects among the competition winners, captured the imagination of the Victorians at the time and have remained ever-popular with collectors as they were ground-breaking at the time.
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