Description
New Guinea 1918-22 2½d indigo, die II, type 11 overprint, complete pane of 30 (6x5), without margins as always (removed before overprinting), SG107.
A fine and fresh complete pane with original gum (most of the stamps are unmounted mint). Unobtrusive crease present at lower left (affecting two stamps), but still very fine fresh appearance.
Scarce and attractive in this intact form. A splendid display piece of the famous Australian "Kangaroo and Map" stamp with overprint.
The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £275+.
During World War I, Australia was responsible for administering German territory in New Guinea. Two separate stamps were made for use in New Guinea from 4 October 2014. These included the current Australian stamp overprinted with "N.W. PACIFIC ISLANDS". Also valid were German colonial stamps for the Territories of German New Guinea and the Marshall Islands, which were overprinted and surcharged with the Royal Cypher "G.R.I." and new values in British currency.
Australian stamps at the time included the "Kangaroo and Map" and King George V designs. These were in use until 1925 when German New Guinea issued the territory's first stamp series.