British Guiana 1863-76 12c lilac, perforations 15, SG113.
A brilliant mint example with large part original gum.
Extremely scarce in this lovely condition, and showing letters of papermaker's watermark.
It is one of the more challenging “ship design” issues to find in premium mint condition.
SG Catalogue Value: £1,100.
The iconic three-masted sailing ship design, flanked by the colony name and the Latin motto “Damus Petimusque Vicissim” (“We give and seek in return”), formed the backbone of British Guiana’s classic issues.
The design was reused repeatedly with changing colours and denominations, but most mint examples were used up or destroyed by humidity, making surviving mint pieces genuinely scarce.
