A stamp with a face value of ￡590
Size isn't everything, but when you're bigger than all the rest, you sure stand out.
I am of course talking about stamps, what else?
The stamp I want to tell you about today is HUGE by stamp standards. It is Britain's biggest stamp.
It was issued in 1882 with a face value of ￡5.
￡5 in 1882 would be worth over ￡590 today.
There is a certain irony in that.
This stamp in 1882 was part of a communications revolution taking place at the time thanks to the introduction of prepaid postage.
And… it cost the equivalent to what an i-phone costs today, the tool of today’s communication revolution.
The stamp in question is the ￡5 Orange.
It is bold, it is brazen. Quite simply, it is the “Daddy” of them all.
I have just been reading a 300 page book by Dr John Horsey all about this stamp (aptly entitled “The ￡5 Orange”).
The opening line of the book’s inlay sums up the standing this stamp has in the philatelic world and gives a glimpse into why it is such a key investment piece:
“The Five Pound Orange is the pride and joy of many a Great Britain collection and a sadly unfilled gap in countless more.”
The foreword by David Beech MBE, the former Head of Philatelic Collections at The British Library expands on this, talking about the stamp’s iconic nature:
“Its high face value, large size, colour and comparative scarcity were always going to mark it out as something special.”
Prices vary depending on the paper the ￡5 Orange was printed on and obviously condition. The SG catalogue value of a fine quality unused example with full original gum is ￡14,500 ($19,347).
To look at it even now, over 130 years on, you can see why it caused such a stir.
Great Britain 1882 ￡5 Orange (Plate 1) On White Paper, SG137. A superb, well centred unmounted mint example with lovely vibrant colour, lettered “AC”.
Exceptional quality rare example with full original gum.
Most attractive example of one of the most iconic and desired stamps in GB philately, rarely seen in such pristine condition.
Sold with the prestigious and world respected Diena certificate of authenticity.
That high face value is the main talking point as, quite frankly, there was absolutely no need for this stamp.
The Stamp No One Needed
It was introduced as a Telegraphs stamp to account for payment of bulk telegrams and for those of individual high cost.
Telegraphs were withdrawn in 1881 and the same plate design was adapted for use as a postage stamp, but postal packages that warranted a ￡5 stamp were obviously going to be very few and far between.
That is why so few of these stamps exist. Dr John Horsey’s book analysed 3,534 examples of the ￡5 Orange and he calculated that figure to be nearly half of the ￡5 Oranges that still exist.
A small number in the grand scheme of things, but the catalogue value of those stamps equates to over ￡25m.
That’s because the catalogue value for a mint example has trebled in value over the past twenty years.
Or you can lay claim to this used example of the famous stamp for ￡4,500 ($6,004).
The used example is showing growth over the same twenty year period of 164%.
Great Britain Queen Victoria Surface Printed 1882 ￡5 Orange Plate 1, SG137.
Very fine used example lettered DK, neatly cancelled by a Chester circular date stamp for NO.10.1899.
A most attractive and desirable used example of one of the most coveted stamps of GB philately.
An International Super Star Stamp
The allure of such a stamp cannot be overstated. The last word on the ￡5 Orange belongs to Dr John Horsey, author of the authoritative book on the subject:
“For any serious GB collector who has passed the stage of having a Penny Black it is likely to be their next dream or certainly amongst their foremost philatelic desires.”
The ￡5 Orange travels well. Like the Beatles, it is one of a select few to really break America. Increasingly, it is going to the Far East where the levels of adoration it receives are overwhelming.
I always say, “stick to the classics” for an easy ride in stamp investment.
Claim your FREE copy of the definitive book on the ￡5 Orange TODAY
I have a couple of spare copies of the book by Dr John Horsey. I am willing to give you a copy for FREE if you purchase a ￡5 Orange stamp from me today.
It really is an interesting read and is a sure way to make you fall in love with this stamp. It has so many stories to tell.
As always, to ask me to reserve any items for you before someone else beats you to it, you can contact me by e-mail at [email protected].
Alternatively, you can call us on +44(0)1534 639998.
Thanks for reading!
Kind regards
Mike Hall
CEO, Just Collecting
PS. If you love this stamp, want to secure It, but don’t have access to the funds right now, I may be able to help. I would be happy to discuss interest-free extended payment terms with you. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on such a stamp you really want.
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