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390. Heinrich Köhler Auction
2–10 April 2027
Collections and special sections
Rediscovered from the Album Page: Australia 1909 20 Shillings Postage Due
A sensational discovery hidden in plain sight: hinged neatly onto a traditional album page right alongside common Australian postage dues, this unassuming 20 shillings high value immediately caught the trained eye of our philatelic specialists. Recognising the tell-tale perforation and shade of the rare 1909 Sydney General Post Office issue – while unmounted mint copies are relatively common, genuine postal usage of such an exceptionally high denomination was virtually non-existent in everyday mail, and fewer than two sheets were ever sold before the remainder was officially destroyed – our team launched an immediate investigation. Cross-referencing our ProFi database confirmed the find: only two other used copies are recorded worldwide, all bearing the exact same characteristic violet Parcels Branch cancellation. Subsequent authentication by renowned Australian expert Krzysztof Ceremuga AIEP provides absolute certainty for this major catalogue number. A great rarity of Commonwealth and Australian philately – only three used examples recorded.
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