The 1861 Red-Orange 30c stamp, which depicts Benjamin Franklin, is a particularly tricky one for collectors. According to Robert A Siegel Auctions there are only 30 known examples, and these often have significantly compromised condition.

A particular problem is creasing, which affects almost all of the examples to some extent. Aside from the acquired flaws, the stamps are typically centred to one side or the other.

The example on offer in New York on Tuesday (alongside the Bright-Red Brown 5 cent and the 1847 10 Cent Black stamp) is one of six of these stamps which retain and have acquired only trivial flaws. All of these six are centred to one side, and this piece is somewhat on the right.

The 1861 Red-Orange 30c on offer

One of the other five - a part of the famous Perry Hansen collection - sold for $62,500 in 2008, making the $45,000 estimate seem quite reasonable. Certainly an investor able to preserve the rare stamp in its attractive condition could view this as an excellent investment opportunity.

Collectors who are not able to reach New York may wish to know that a very rare British stamp, a Tyrian Plum, is currently available.