One of the most interesting lots recently sold is an 1861 Prince Edward Island rouletted two-penny rose stamp that has been auctioned by Spink for £20,000 (about $26,459) in July. This is very fine example and one of the most exceptional British North America rarities that was part of famous David Pitts Collection.
It is known that only five examples of this great rarity are recorded: one is in the Royal Philatelic Collection and another is in the Tapling Collection at the British Library. As Spink said this specimen is “superior to the three examples available on the open market”.
This major variety was found in 1888 and the news about this interesting philatelic discovery was reported by Donald A. King in Stanley Gibbons Journal dated 30 April 1895. Arthur A. Bartlett subsequently found four other examples. The stamp offered above was exhibited in CAPEX'96 in the "Gems of Canadian Philately" Court of Honour display. Described by Spink as a “Die I” example “showing roulettes or traces thereof on two sides,” the stamp is “neatly cancelled with large part oval of eight bars at Charlotte Town.”
