Lot 614 Mauritius

Mauritius, 1848, 2p Blue on Yellowish White Paper, Early Impression (4a; SG 8). Position 8, original gum, barely hinged, large to full margins on each side, exceptional color and razor-sharp impression on fresh paper EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1848 2-PENCE BLUE "POST PAID" FROM THE EARLY IMPRESSION. ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE AND ICONIC BRITISH COMMONWEALTH RARITIES -- PARTICULARLY SO IN THIS PRISTINE CONDITION. While postal services in Mauritius date back to 1770s, it wasn't until 1846 that inland mail service was organized. Joseph Osmond Barnard, a local printer and engraver, was contracted to produce two stamps. He engraved both stamps on a single plate with the inscriptions "Post Office". It is believed 500 were printed and were sold out almost immediately. For second printing, from which the example offered here came, were engraved directly onto two copper plates of twelve (four rows of three), one for each value with the inscription "Post Paid". The plates wore away relatively quickly, creating the different listed impressions. As far as we are concerned, the early impressions in unused condition are just as rare as the earliest impressions. Ex "Tatiana" and "Port Louis". Signed A. Diena. With 1967 A. Diena and 1979 B.P.A. certificates. Scott $35,000. SG £45,000