The well known Alexander Reid collection of rare stamps from Antigua, Ceylon and the Cayman Islands is set to be sold by Spink in London in seven weeks time.

We've already mentioned one of the picks of the Cayman Islands section is a pair of 1907 overprints - another copy of which is in the Royal collection.

From the Antiguan stamps, however, there is one lot in particular which will intrigue philatelists.

Vermillion stamp block

A vermillion horizontal pair of 1863-7 1d stamps is to appear in the sale, one of only two known anywhere. Remarkably, the block, though lacking gum is in beautiful condition - fresh and fine.

The pair, imperforate between the two but torn round the edges, has previously been a part of the collections of J Charlton Henry and E V Toeg. The pair is estimated at £12,000-15,000 and will be sold in London on March 11.