Most people imagine the Mauritius to be the rarest and most valuable of stamps. In this they are wrong. Mr. Phillips credits the 1856 British Guiana, black on magenta, with this honour.
By an error, which was quickly rectified, certain of these stamps were lettered "one" instead of "four." If you can obtain a copy in which this error is apparent, it will readily bring £1,000.
At present only one copy is known to be in existence, and that is in Paris. It holds an honoured place in the magnificent collection belonging to Mons. Ferrary, son of the late Duchess Galliera.
The red variety of this stamp without the error is worth only £25. In blue, it may fetch anything from £100 to £300, according to condition.
FETCHES £250.
The Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands issued a set of four stamps in 1851. Their face values were 2 cents, 5 cents, and 13 cents, the last mentioned being issued in two varieties. They were local low value stamps marked "Hawaiian—U.S." and were used for the purpose of franking letters to San Francisco.
The 2 cent variety is the most valuable. Messrs. Stanley Gibbons, Ltd., have been dealing in stamps for 40 years, and they have handled only two copies. The last one sold—a used specimen—fetched £740. The British Museum collection includes two copies, and no other specimens exist in Great Britain. There are three or four copies in the United States, and some eight copies in Europe. These are the only specimens in existence.
The 5 cent and 13 cent varieties are not so valuable, though they may be relied upon to fetch a good round sum. A 5 cent copy unused, in average condition, is worth £250; used, from £80 to £100.
A 13 cent specimen in average condition will realise £250 unused, and £75 used.