Great Britain 1883 1s orange-brown Govt Parcels Plate 13, SGO64.
A very fine and fresh unused, with original gum, example lettered "BL".
A very scarce government official stamp in such fine mint condition.
Accompanied with a 1979 British Philatelic Association (BPA) Certificate of Authenticity.
SG Catalogue Value: £1,750.
The Government Parcels overprints were issued to all departments, including Head Office, for use on parcels weighing over 3lb.
Below this weight government parcels were sent by letter post to avoid the 55% of the postage paid accruing to the railway companies, as laid down by parcel-post regulations. Most of the Government Parcels stamps suffered heavy postmarks in use.
