Rarest French Stamps Going Up for Sale
The rarest set of French stamps, a block of four vermilion one-franc stamps issued in 1849, is up for sale, and the owner is asking 3.25 million francs ($310,000), according to an announcement in a collectors’ magazine.
The latest issue of Timbroscopie, out Monday, carries an announcement by a Swiss negotiator for a seller who wants to remain anonymous but who has a certificate of authenticity.
Two of the four stamps are reversed head-to-foot in relation to the other two. The one-franc vermilion stamp was withdrawn from circulation a few months after its issue because the color could be confused with that of a 40-centime stamp.
A similar block of the same stamps, without the reverse, also is up for sale--for about half as much.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
