BRITISH GUIANA, 1850, 12c Black on Blue (5; SG 5). Cut to shape, initialed "E.D.W." (Edmond Dalzell Wight), cut close to touching, with Demerara Apr. 4, 1851 circular datestamp, variously creased and with thins

FINE APPEARING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1850 12-CENT BLACK ON BLUE "COTTON REEL" -- AN ICONIC RARITY OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND OF THE WORLD.

The first stamps of British Guiana were issued in July 1850, in denominations of 2c, 4c, 8c and 12c. They were printed at the offices of the Royal Gazette of British Guiana newspaper. Quickly produced from printer's type and a printer's rule bent into a crude circle, the stamps earned the nickname "Cotton Reel" from collectors, because they look similar to labels on the wooden ends of a reel of cotton thread. Each stamp was initialed as a control to prevent either theft or counterfeiting. The "E.D.W." initials of Edmond D. Wight also appear on the famous One-Cent Magenta British Guiana stamp.

With 2022 B.P.A. certificate. Scott $11,000.00. SG £11,000

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