REUNION, 1852, 30c Black on Blue (2; Yvert 2). Without gum as issued, Type IV in the setting, extraordinarily large and well-balanced margins all around, sharp impression on fresh paper that still retains all its original bluing, barely discernible faint diagonal crease

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A STRIKING UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE REUNION 1852 30-CENTIMES BLACK ON BLUE.

In 1852, Reunion was supplied with their first adhesive stamps. They were General French Colonies issues that were given to all the Colonies of France. However there were no 15c or 30c stamps to fulfill the 30c and 45c rates. Because it would take a long time for any new stamps to reach Reunion, it was decided to print new stamps locally. This same phenomenon occurred on other isolated islands throughout the world, such as Hawaii, Mauritius and Fiji, where the local printers produced the first stamps of the country, using much more primitive methods than more prosperous countries that had been producing stamps for several years. These typographed stamps of Reunion were printed on very thin pelure paper that often had irregularities such as wood pulp inclusions and pinholes.

These stamps proved to be unpopular with the local population, primarily due to the fact that they were issued without gum. A small number were used and the remainders were eventually destroyed, leaving scant few unused available today. Due to the crude printing methods, nearly every example has a fault to some degree, with many possessing several faults and/or repairs. This copy, from the David B Markowitz collection, is clearly superior to the vast majority.

Ex Wyer. Signed Calves and with 2015 Scheller certificate. Yvert €45,000

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