Recently, London Stampex attracted different philatelists from around the globe. They gathered to engage in trading, lectures, and so on. The spotlight of this event became the world's most valuable stamp—the British Guiana One Cent Magenta, which drew long queues of enthusiastic philatelists eager to catch a glimpse of it firsthand.
Stanley Gibbons acquired this sought-after stamp for a staggering $8,307,000 at an auction held in 2021. During Stampex, it was prominently displayed in a dedicated booth, guarded by two security personnel. Attendees have been permitted to capture photographs of the postal item using their smartphones, and individuals from various countries even traveled to this exhibition solely to have an opportunity to witness this remarkable piece.
The British Guiana stamp timeline
- 1873: discovered by a small boy who sold it for a cheap price
- 1922: first sold under the hammer for over £7,000, which made it the most valuable stamp.
- 1940: bought by an unidentified collector
- 1970: acquired by a syndicate in New York for $280,000
- 1970–2020: purchased by Robert A. Siegel for $935,000, then repurchased by John du Pont.
- 2021: bought by Stanley Gibbons, who is still its owner.
Philately enthusiasts can mark their calendars for the upcoming Stampex, scheduled for October 23–26, 2024. For more details, check the website.
