Tonga 1893 ½d on 1d ultramarine Official, O6

Tonga 1893 ½d on 1d ultramarine Official, O6Tonga 1893 (Dec) d on 1d ultramarine Official, block of 8 (4x2) from upper right corner of left pane showing four applications of the vertical two unit handstamp, SGO6. A fine mint positional block with original gum. Despite small imperfections (slight gum creasing, second stamp in lower row with small thin at foot), it remains a rare positional multiple of fine appearance and much above average condition for this Official stamp rarely seen without

Watermark CA variety watermark inverted

Fascinating piece of history

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £360+

with two dated "6

Monroe was the obvious winner

It arrived at its final destination in England over two months later on 27th January

Pierron records only 100 mint examples possible

and became a national hero and an international celebrity on his return to Earth

and three completed proofs for the £2

England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final of the World Cup on July 30

The fact that only the top half of the sheet shows surcharge double would suggest a setting of 25 (5x5) was used

They were printed from 1869 by the London printers