£950.00

Australia New South Wales 1890-91 20s cobalt-blue Official, watermark 54 ("20/-"), right marginal with part "(O)NE POU(ND)" imprint, cancelled to order with large part concentric oval, SGO50.

A fine used example with full original gum. A few slightly shortish perforations as often seen, but a really fine for this rare Official stamp.

New South Wales celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1888 with an issue of what is widely considered to be the first commemorative stamps. The set of eight, each with a different design, were all inscribed "ONE HUNDRED YEARS". The 20 shilling value included portraits of both Arthur Phillip, the first governor, and the then-governor, Lord Carrington.

This rare Official stamp was for use by government officials on government mail only.

Accompanied with a British Philatelic Association (BPA) certificate of authenticity (2016).

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £1,100.

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