‘Rural Postbus Error’ stamps to be sold at auction for thousands

JERSEY is no stranger to notable auction sales, with a variety of lots – from sought-after number plates to a stash of vintage gentlemen’s magazines – making headlines in recent years.

And a “remarkable” pair of stamps expected to fetch thousands of pounds could soon be added to that list, when they go under the hammer at an auction in town today.

Once worth a combined 44p, the stamps were designed by illustrator Paul Hogarth and depict the bygone Royal Mail Postbus, which used to serve hundreds of rural routes in the UK.

They are part of what became known as the ‘Rural Postbus Error’, when printers produced one sheet of 100 unperforated stamps by mistake in 1985.

The sheet was pulped when the mistake was discovered, but the pair survived – and were sold at an auction in 2014 for £22,000.

They will be among the lots going under the hammer in Bath Street today at JC Auctions’ Crown & Dragon Stamp Auction.

Mike Hall, of JC Auctions, said: “The missing perforations may seem like a small issue, but they’re a huge deal in stamp collecting.”

He continued: “It’s remarkable how two 22p stamps are worth £22,000 based on a mistake made by the printer.

“That is the extraordinary nature of stamp collecting.”

Mr Hall described the stamps as “beautiful and nostalgic”.

“Our conservative estimate is £5,000. I wouldn’t be shocked to see it surpass the £22,000 it made in 2014,” he added.

“It’s so rare and desirable. You just need two determined bidders.”

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