$500,000 collection of Mexican University stamps goes up for sale in New York

The extraordinary hoard of the coveted issue will be a leading draw at Spink Shreves

As we've mentioned, the next exciting stamp auction from Spink Shreves is likely to be led by the exceptionally rare 1c blue pair boasting the 7R1E position - at least amongst the single item lots.

However, there is a truly remarkable collection on offer as a single lot - rivalling even the extraordinary collection of Hong Kong stamps going under the hammer at Dynasty Auctions.

It is an extraordinary grouping of 1934 National University issues from Mexico including postage, air posts and the postal tax stamp: an amazing holding of 100 sets, the postage centavo values being in full sheets of 100 divided by a gutter (folded in the gutter), the 5P and 10P are two sheets of 50 each

The air post issues, being longer formats, are found in three sheets of 30 each, plus vertical margin blocks of ten, well centred overall, exceedingly fresh with pristine original gum, never hinged and in very fine condition.

Mexican university stamps

This incredible hoard was purchased by the father of the current owner directly from the Mexican Post Office. In fact, a photocopy of the original purchase order, dated August 17, 1935, is included in the lot.

Since the time it was issued, the National University set has become the iconic 20th Century set that every beginning Mexican collector dreams of owning, much like the Graf Zeppelin set for United States collectors or the Falkland Tercentenary set is for collectors of the British Commonwealth.

What makes this holding even more remarkable is the very low printing number of the National University set. Only 1,500 of the 20P Airmail stamp were issued, meaning the lot offered here represents 6.7% of all sets possible.

Putting that in perspective, to obtain the same percentage of U.S. Graf Zeppelin sets possible, one would have to acquire 4,088 sets which carry a current catalogue value of $9,504,600.

The collection, taken from the Bromberg Holding will be offered with an estimate of $500,000 in Spink Shreves auction, which takes place on March 24^th-25^th.