1856 British Guiana celebrates 150th anniversary

The Stabroek News in Georgetown,Guyana reports that tomorrow will mark the 150th anniversary of the 1856 British Guiana one-cent black on magenta being postmarked and used.

Reporter Lennox J. Hernandez writes, "The survival of the only known copy, which bears the cancellation date of April 4, 1856, is rather fortuitous. Since its discovery in 1873, the stamp has passed from one famous stamp collector to another, whilst eluding the collections of many others, including that of the British Royal Family."

Once the world's most valuable stamp, it lost its standing in 1996, when an 1855 Swedish stamp was sold for $2.3 million, surpassing the Black on Magenta's value of $935,000. In January, the stamp slipped fell to third place when an 1867 United States Franklin Z-Grill stamp was effectively valued at nearly $3 million!

Shown above are enhanced pictures of the stamp. The original is not as clear and is considerably more faded.

To read the entire article and learn more about the stamp and its fascinating history, click here.