1c Magenta

1c Magenta Stamp

1c magenta
It was just for the elite.
Now anyone can own a piece and have a say.
By weight
The most valuable item in the world.

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stanley gibbons mark
From humble beginnings...
The story begins...
From 1831 until its independence in 1966, Guyana was a colony of the British Empire known as British Guiana. Due to the control of Great Britain, the colony’s postal service was run from London, with ships delivering mail between Falmouth and Georgetown. Reliability was often problematic, with packages often being lost or arriving late. In 1850, the first adhesive postage stamps of British Guiana were issued to create a more frequent, modernised postal service. However, since the designs were approved and ordered from Waterloo & Sons of London, they would fail to arrive in time for the launch.
1856
The Local Postmaster
British Guiana (now Guyana)
Time would become an issue again in 1856 when only 10% of the expected stamps for the region arrived from Great Britain. The Postmaster was forced to improvise a limited run of provisional stamps made and signed off at the local newspaper, the Royal Gazette.
Mission accomplished
The small print run worked as a stop gap and the stamps were withdrawn 8 weeks later. One-cent stamps only covered local newspaper postage rates and as a result most were destroyed shortly after use.
1873
The one that got away
The 1c Magenta would have been forgotten if it were not for Vernon Vaughan, a 12-year-old Scottish boy, who found one odd stamp among his uncle's papers in 1873.
The journey begins...
The budding philatelist soon sold it for six shillings to Neil Ross McKinnon, who sent his collection to the UK for sale.
And so began the decades-long, cross-continental journey of the 1c Magenta.

Who were the 12 owners?

1c magenta back
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Owner #3
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Neil Ross McKinnon
NEIL ROSS MCKINNON

British New Guinea | 1873

The budding philatelist soon sold it for six shillings to Neil Ross McKinnon, who sent his collection to the UK for sale.

Breaking the world record for a single-stamp... Four times.

ship
A merchant ship used to deliver goods between Great Britain and Guiana
165 YEARS OLD. 12 OWNERS. FORTUNES SPENT IN PURSUIT.
The 1-cent magenta is the only postage stamp ever issued within the then-British Empire that is not represented in the Royal Philatelic Collection. The lettering on the front reads “Damus Petimus Que Vicissim”, the colony’s motto meaning ‘We give and expect in return’ used until Guyana’s independence in 1966.
WHY IS THERE ONLY ONE?
Alongside the 1c stamp a 4c stamp was also printed. It is believed that the 1c Magenta was intended to be used for newspapers and therefore these stamps were often thrown away. Save for one.
BENEFITS
10 Pieces
- A £75 Stanley Gibbons gift voucher and hardcopy of Certificate if requested.
100 Pieces
- An exclusive replica of the stamp.
250 Pieces
- Private viewing of the stamp with a Stanley Gibbons expert and first access to future offerings at preferential prices.
A MURDEROUS HISTORY
Previous owner of the One Cent Magenta, John E. du Pont, famous philatelist and heir to the du Pont fortune, was sent to prison for murder.
WHAT MAKES A STAMP VALUABLE?
Rarity, Quality, Desirability trifecta
Map of British Guiana
Benefits of ownership

Legal beneficial title

Pro-rata share of proceeds

Voting rights for each piece

Certificate of ownership

Vintage Stanley Gibbons van

In partnership
with

stanley gibbons mark
With a distinguished heritage dating back to 1856, Stanley Gibbons is the world’s longest established rare stamp merchant. That legacy and reputation allows us to offer a lifetime guarantee on all our rare items.
Frequently Asked Questions
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