Sudan Army Official. 1905 (Nov) 1m brown and pink, watermark Quatrefoil, type A1 overprint, variety "!" for first "I" in "OFFICIAL" (R5/4 of setting), SGA4a.
A lovely fresh mint example with large part original gum. Minor gum crease does not detract from very fine appearance and is not mentioned on certificate.
A great rarity, of which only one other unused example (ex. William Frazer) is known to us.
The definitive reference work by E C W Stagg (Sudan Stamps and Postal Stationery 1867-1970) estimates that only one sheet (= four panes of 30) on Quatrefoil watermark paper received the type A1 overprint. However, the existence of two unused examples with the "!" for "I" variety, coupled with three known used examples, proves that at least two sheets must have existed.
The “Camel Postman” stamps of Sudan are considered by the famous printers De La Rue as the “most satisfactory” in their long history of stamp production. It was first issued in 1898 and was so successful that it continued for over 50 years and effectively became the country’s symbolic emblem.
Accompanied with a clear British Philatelic Association (BPA) certificate of authenticity (1989).
The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £6,000.
Click here to discover more about this stamp.
