Tuscany 1851-52 Scott 1 1q black
"Lion Of Tuscany"
Into the Big Blue$2,500 used!
That is the catalogue value for the Tuscany 1852 1 Quattrini black "Lion of Tuscany" stamp cut image shown above.
Actually, because of the 1851 date, BB might be referring to the 1851 Scott 1a black/bluish @ $2,750. But I went here with the major number.
There is an 1857 1q black/white paper for "only" $1,325, but I consider the issue date too late for BB's intent.
This expensive stamp cut turned up as I was reviewing the BB Italian States coverage, which will be included in the next post.
Although I am less than half way through the country analysis of Big Blue, I suspect this is the most expensive stamp space ever to appear in the album.
True, there are other stamps in the issue that are less expensive.
1851-52 Scott 5a 2 Crazie greenish blue
60 Quatrinni = 20 Soldi = 12 Crazie = 1 Lira
The 2 Crazie stamp (Yes, that's the denomination!) above is "only" CV $200 used. Perhaps no one will notice if one substituted? ;-)
I was aware that the '69 editors had added the U.S. Scott 2 10c black/bluish "Washington" @ CV $1,200 used/ $600 pen cancel. The Scott 1 5c red brown/bluish "Franklin" @ CV $525 used /$200 pen cancel is also in all editions. But many BB collectors have a separate collection for U.S., so a bit of a moot point. Nevertheless, the U.S. Scott 2 was the most expensive stamp space in BB that I knew of....
Until now.
I was aware that the '69 editors had added the U.S. Scott 2 10c black/bluish "Washington" @ CV $1,200 used/ $600 pen cancel. The Scott 1 5c red brown/bluish "Franklin" @ CV $525 used /$200 pen cancel is also in all editions. But many BB collectors have a separate collection for U.S., so a bit of a moot point. Nevertheless, the U.S. Scott 2 was the most expensive stamp space in BB that I knew of....
Until now.
If one recalls, reviewing all the most expensive stamps in BB for the countries from Aden through Guinea...
"We have a new leader as the most expensive stamp in Big Blue. Surpassing the China Scott 78 1c on 3c red ($250) is the blank space choice France 1849-50 Ceres Imperforate 40c orange/yellowish Type I @ $475!"
But incredibly, for the Tuscany stamp spaces, there's more...
The 1860 stamp next to the 1851 "Lion of Tuscany"?
1860 1c brown lilac @ $1,000!
The stamp cut next to the 1851 1q black image is a 1860 Provisional Government issue valued @ $1,000 no gum!
Is there also a less expensive alternative?
1860 Scott 19 10c deep brown
Sure.
The 10c deep brown of the set is CV $82+: not cheap, but much less than Big Blue's stamp image cut.
What to do?
• If one is faithfully filling the spaces with stamps that clearly fulfill BB's specifications, then one better begin a savings plan. ;-)
• If one is less fastidious, then other stamps in the issues could be substituted.
And this expensive conundrum only applies to the 'earlier 41/'43/'47 editions, as the '69 editors removed Tuscany from the album. ;-)
Tuscany 1851-52 Scott 6 4 Crazie green
Out of the Blue
Crazie expensive.
Comments?