Ireland 1922-23 10s dull grey-blue "Seahorse", type 5 Thom overprint in blue-black, right marginal horizontal pair, right stamp (R7/4) showing variety 'Accent reversed', SG66b.
An exceptionally fresh and well-centred unmounted mint positional pair, with full original gum.
A superb example of this key Irish rarity, especially desirable in this se-tenant form.
Accompanied with a MacDonnell Whyte certificate of authenticity (1985).
The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £4,725+.
The Irish War of Independence from 1919 to 1921, resulted in the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. The treaty provided for the partition of Ireland and the creation of an autonomous Irish Free State, within one year, which would politically be a dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations. British stamps were overprinted with "Irish Free State" in gaelic.
Such was the success and popularity of the famous Seahorses stamp issue in Great Britain that it was overprinted and used in other countries in the British Empire including Morocco, Offices in the Turkish Empire, Bechuanaland and Ireland. The stamp is considered a miniature piece of propaganda in response to the German threat posed to Britain at sea on the eve of World War I. The Seahorses boldly claimed Britain’s naval domination and reputation of being "ruler of the seas".
Order online, by phone +44 (0)1534 639 998, or via email info@paulfrasercollectibles.com
