• SG671b, 286a
• ACSC328c

Description

1946 Peace 3d Air Force Insignia & Aeroplanes imprint block of 24 (8x3) from the base of the sheet, with the Ultramarine Printing (Aircraft) Completely Omitted SG 671b from the lower-right unit [R3/8] and Partly Omitted from [R2/8] & [R3/7], the omission caused by a light Pre-Printing Paper Fold at lower-right with a Partial Print of the Planes on the Reverse in the Margin, some perf separation/reinforcing that doesn't impact the variety units that remain unmounted, Cat £17,000. Ex Geoff Gould. RPSofNZ Certificate (2003). An impressive and unique error that is one the most important 'Missing Colours' of the post-WWII era, from any country. Gibbons state in a footnote "Only one example is known...it was caused by a paper fold". Surprisingly, Campbell Paterson do not even record this astonishing error. An ideal centrepiece for the finest collections of a) New Zealand; b) King George VI Issues; c) Omnibus Issues; d) Air Force issues; e) Aircraft; f) Flying Boats; g) Errors, Freaks & Oddities (EFOs); or, of course, h) Missing Colours. Virtually all Missing Colour errors occur on multicolour stamps printed by photogravure or similar processes. This is a bicolour recess-printed stamp. The only other comparable British Commonwealth item is Australia's 1955 YMCA 3½d with Red Printing (Triangle) Omitted SG 286a (ACSC 328c), the frame recess-printed, the triangle added by letterpress. One mint example is recorded, Cat £30,000 ($50,000). It has minor imperfections and has been hinged. At the Arthur Gray QEII sale in 2017, it sold for £21,600. One used example is also recorded, on a commercial cover (!), Cat $30,000. It also has small defects, and sold at the Morgan Family auction in 2012 for £20,400. Again, this New Zealand stamp is unique. It is also of spectacular appearance. And the technical significance is enhanced by the partial omissions from the two adjoining stamps, and the partial print of the aircraft on the reverse. We think this is one of the best 20th century items we have ever offered ... and that really is saying something. We note that Gibbons first priced this error in 2010, at £9500. Until 2020, the price was raised several times, to the current level, with no change in the past four editions. However, over that time, it has never been offered at auction. We agree with our vendor that this fabulous piece should be worth more than the two YMCA MIssing Triangles, both of which have sold for higher prices, despite both having minor defects

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