24c Blackish Violet (78c). Deep rich color in the true Blackish Violet shade, bright paper, cork cancel, tiny perf tip tear at top

VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET. THIS IS POSSIBLY THE MOST DIFFICULT SHADE OF THE 1861-63 ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN ANY CONDITION.

A thorough search through past auction catalogues will demonstrate how rare this stamp is in either used or unused condition. With regard to used stamps, this shade was lacking from the Ishikawa, Grunin, Klein, Caspary and Twigg-Smith collections. The Zoellner collection contained an original-gum single even though the rest of the series was obtained in used condition, because a suitable used stamp was never offered.

With copy of 1993 P.S.E. certificate

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