New Brunswick 3

1851 One shilling bright red violet on bluish wove paper, imperforate, a spectacular mint example of this well-known classic stamp, surrounded by full margins - very unusual for this characteristically tightly spaced issue, displaying fabulous rich colour and bold impression, hinged and retaining a large part original gum; pencil signed by expert H. Bloch on reverse.   A key mint stamp in flawless condition, missing from virtually all collections, Very Fine GEM (Unitrade 3; catalogue value $60,000)

Expertization: 1976 Friedl (signed Herbert Bloch) and 1977 Brandon certificates
Provenance: Sir Gawaine Baillie, Sotheby’s Volume VII, May 10, 2006; Lot 33

THE NEW BRUNSWICK SHILLING IS AMONG THE RAREST STAMPS IN ALL OF BRITISH NORTH AMERICA PHILATELY; ONLY ABOUT A DOZEN EXISTING EXAMPLES CAN BE GRADED AS VERY FINE. WE BELIEVE LESS THAN HALF OF THESE STILL RETAIN ORIGINAL GUM.