I wrote to you recently about two classic and valuable mistakes, (“errors” in philatelic terms), the Prussian Blue and the missing golf club. They sold within hours of the e-mail being sent and you inundated us with requests.
Since you found the idea of the ‘money-making mistake’ so attractive, we searched for some more for you and here are three top tips, a lovely and highly unusual spread from Great Britain, Tonga and Canada.
Whether you take one or all three, you’ll be owning something very special with a great story to tell, prized by collectors and likely to increase in value due to their scarcity.
But please do be quick to make up your mind; our last offer to you sold within hours – call our specialist investment team on (UK) 0845 026 7170 or (International) +44 (0)1481 708 277 or e-mail me at investment@stanleygibbons.co.uk
1. The Ironic Error
GREAT BRITAIN 1991 SG: 1579var -- Stock Code: P09012333X
Celebrating 200 years of Ordnance Survey, this error of value cannot escape a certain measure of irony… The Ordnance Survey is the official mapping agency for Great Britain, one that prides itself on order and detail.
How upset they must have been when some of their commemorative stamps were released in 1991 with the wrong price on them.
There are only around 20 mint examples of the stamp in question with 26p printed instead of 28p.
This is your chance to own a lovely example of this attractive and somewhat embarrassing error - for just £5,500.
2. The Missing Hologram
CANADA 1992 SG: 1515a--StockCode--P09003307
(1992 Canadian Space Programme 42c, complete pane of 20)
Even before the error, these stamps were something to behold! Designed to celebrate the achievements of the Canadian Space Programme, these stamps combined innovative production with a striking image of the Earth taken from space to create an instant favourite among collectors.
Designers incorporated a hologram to create a ‘space age’ stamp. The problem was, and this got collectors really excited, a handful of the stamps were produced without the hologram…
You have the chance to purchase one of just 14 complete panes of these stamps that includes two stamps at the bottom of the pane without the hologram. A spectacular and rare error.
This rather special set can be yours for just £3,000.
3. The upside-down man
TONGA 1897 SG: 48a -- Stock Code: P09006576
From 1897 the mistake on this 7½d black and green stamp is plain to see (‘ERROR CENTRE INVERTED, fresh o.g. Typical slight gum creasing, but very fine’ in philatelic terms) and needs no preamble! It comes from the one sheet of 60 discovered in March 1900. Truly one of the great error stamps of the British Empire. Yours to own today for just £4,500
The rarity and special qualities of these 3 error examples speak for themselves – they are both attractive collector pieces and have investment potential. I’ve just come back from a trip to Singapore; Asia is a fledgling market for us, but one where the interest in pieces like this is growing, so do snap them up now before they head East and so you can hold them before the market and the demand grows further.