GREAT BRITAIN, 1880, 2sh Pale Brown (56; SG 121). Plate 1, lettered B-E, wing margin at left, original gum, lightly hinged with minute adhesion on reverse, fresh shade, some light staining at bottom right (mostly on reverse)

FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 2-SHILLING BROWN. A NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT ORIGINAL-GUM STAMP TO ACQUIRE.

In 1879 the Universal Postal Union recommended establishing an international color standard for stamps in the basic UPU rates. This required changing the 2-1/2p to Blue, but that conflicted with the then-current 2sh color. Brown was selected as the replacement color, and De La Rue printed a new batch of stamps which were released in Feb. 1880. The stamps were withdrawn on July 16, 1880, creating a period of about six months when these stamps were on sale. The short-lived sale period of the 2sh Brown explains its rarity, particularly in unused condition.

With 1984 R.P.S. certificate. Scott $27,500.00. SG £30,000

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GREAT BRITAIN, 1880, 2sh Brown (SG Specialised J120; SG 121; Scott 56). Plate 1, lettered O-D, wing margin at right, original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful depth of color on bright paper

FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1880 2-SHILLING BROWN. A CHALLENGING STAMP TO ACQUIRE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS PRISTINE STATE OF PRESERVATION.

In 1879 the Universal Postal Union recommended establishing an international color standard for stamps in the basic UPU rates. This required changing the 2-1/2p to Blue, but that conflicted with the then-current 2sh color. Brown was selected as the replacement color, and De La Rue printed a new batch of stamps which were released in Feb. 1880. The stamps were withdrawn on July 16, 1880, creating a period of about six months when these stamps were on sale. The short-lived sale period of the 2sh Brown explains its rarity, particularly in unused condition.

Ex Baillie. SG £30,000. Scott $27,500.00.

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1880, 2sh Pale Brown, Pl. 1 (56, SG 121). Fresh color, unused (regummed), small pinhole at B., otherwise Fine, scarce unused, with 1996 B.P.A. certificate, SG £6,500

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1880, 2sh Pale Brown (56). Fresh, Large Part o.g., Fine, Very Rare, signed Bloch, with Friedl Certificate

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