Article: WALES: pounds 70,000 for a stamp; Massive bid for rare Penny Black.(News)

Byline: By ERYL CRUMP

A RARE stamp was sold for pounds 70,000 at a North Wales auction last weekend.

The Penny Black, the world's first stick-on stamp, was in almost perfect condition and was post-marked in Bath four days before the stamp's official launch in May 1840.

It was snapped up by an American philatelist, who has not been named, at the sale staged at Aqueduct Antiques, Froncysyllte near Llangollen.

Auctioneer Colin Knights said the Penny Black was issued on May 1, 1840, for use from May 6 of that year.

He said: "The envelope bearing the stamp is clearly postmarked on May 2, four days before the official launch.

...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!