Great Britain 1840 1d black "VR" Official (Before Hardening) imprimatur, SGV1 Zanzibar stamps A rare and prestigious exhibition

A rare and prestigious exhibition proof with royal provenance

A fine unused example

These were the first stamps to be overprinted this way depicting King Edward VII

1d scarlet

Macdonald) 1c orange

Great Britain 1840 1d black "VR" Official (Before Hardening) imprimatur, SGV1 Zanzibar stamps A rare and prestigious exhibitionGreat Britain 1840 1d black "VR" Official (Before Hardening) imprimatur, SGV1. A very fine unused imperforate imprimatur lettered 'TI'. Rare, one of only 33 possible examples many of which are in institutional collections. The V. R. Official penny black stamps were intended for the sole use on official correspondence from government departments. It was prepared for use in April 1840 but was not issued. The upper corners bore the letters "V" and "R"