1847 (21 September) “POST OFFICE” Issue
2d. deep blue on soft greyish wove paper showing the Queen’s portrait on a ground of diagonal
and perpendicular lines and with the initials “J B” of the engraver, J.O. Barnard, showing at
base of the Queen’s neck, wonderful deep rich colour adding to the beauty of this iconic stamp,
neatly cancelled at lower left corner with a small part of the “mauritius post office” double-ring
datestamp resulting in this example being the lightest cancelled of the few known used
examples of this world renowned rarity.

The Chartwell Collection – British Empire
Sold by Spink, London on 28 June 2011 for £1,053,090