390. Heinrich Köhler Auction · 2–10 April 2027
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.
Collections and special sections
The original album page
Australia 1909, Postage Due 20 shillings dull green, single-line perforation 11, watermark Crown over single-lined "A", cancelled by part of violet circular datestamp "PARCELS BRANCH / G.P.O. SYDNEY" and contemporary manuscript stroke at right, tiny corner wrinkles at lower right, otherwise fine. Only three copies known.
