NZ 1855 1d Full-Face Queen stamp printed by Perkins Bacon in London is to be sold at Mombray auction that will take place on March 16. Designed by Alfred Chalon and depicting the Queen at her 1837 coronation, the stamp is known as "Full Face Queen" due to its front view depiction of Victoria. This is one of six examples given by Perkin Bacon to Rowland Hill's family. It is to go under the hammer for an estimated $30,000.
To design 1855 1d Full-Face Queen stamp Edward Corbould completed a water colour sketch of Queen Victoria based on a portrait by Alfred Chalon. The Chalon painting depicted a young Queen Victoria in her State Robes at the time of her coronation. The 1855 1d stamp printed by Perkins Bacon in London is a presentation copy to the family of Sir Rowland Hill, the inventor of the 1d Black postage stamp.
"It'll attract attention worldwide ... this particular stamp was sold by us about 10 years ago for $16,000 and it's doubled in price over that period. Of the couple of thousand stamps printed, only six of them had this special obliterator on, it's a speciality within a speciality." - John Mombray said.
Obliterators help identify the post office of origin by encoding postmarks featuring a number, letter or letters. Mowbray said the stamp would likely generate interest worldwide. There are 850 lots in the auction, with estimates of $1 million in total value.
