Citylife in Lichfield February 2020

Pictured is auctioneer Richard Winterton with the stamp album containing
the 1882 £5 Orange, which is now worth thousands
A close-up of the 1882 £5 Orange stamp
Stamp of Approval!
By Richard Winterton of Richard Winterton Auctioneers
........................................
Well, what do we have here? A stamp… not just any old
stamp – it’s a fine example of an 1882 £5 Orange! The
highest value pre-decimal stamp ever to be issued, it has been
described as potentially the “culmination of a collecting career”
and is regarded by many philatelists as the holy grail of British
stamps! What’s more, it’s part of a stunning album we’re marketing
on behalf of a Lichfield client in our two-day Fine Arts & Specialist
Sale on March 24th-25th.
Ours is an endlessly fascinating world and we are always intrigued to
see what curiosities are out there. Come and see us at The Lichfield
Auction Centre for general valuations every Tuesday from 9.30am-4pm
(9am-12 noon for coins, medals and books). You can also get free advice
and appraisals for jewellery and watches at The Hub at St Mary’s in
Lichfield city centre every Monday from 9.30am-12.30pm.
For free home visits to assess larger items and provide house clearance
quotes, please call 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk.
In the 1880s, £5 represented approximately one month’s average salary
– that’s £2,000 in today’s money and, funnily enough, this stamp today is
indeed worth thousands! Isn’t it crazy to think that this little bit of paper
could command so much? But it just goes to show that you never know
what might be out there – or what treasures you might have tucked away
in a drawer or up in the loft.
Curiously enough, it is most unlikely that these large £5 stamps were
ever used for postage in the regular sense. The Inland Revenue act of 1881
cleaned up the system used for collecting duties and introduced new
duties. Part of the act made the use of postage stamps as a method of
paying duties – thus a new high value stamp was required tout de suite!
It was decided to modify the similar £5 Telegraph stamp, by replacing
the word ‘telegraph’ with ‘postage’, and the £5 Orange was first issued in
March 1882. So the main use of these stamps was to show that duty had
been paid, for internal accounting purposes or even payment of bulk mail
– oh yes, junk mail was a thing even in the 1880s!
But it’s a very large, attractive stamp and highly desirable to collectors,
especially those who specialise in Great Britain postage. This one features
in a beautifully compiled album which also displays an 1840 Penny Black
and Two Penny Blue, a Two Shilling Brown and an 1867 Five Shillings.
The album as a whole is guided at £4,500 but could fetch far more,
especially considering that the £5 Orange alone is worth thousands of
pounds.
Viewing ahead of the March 24th-25th Fine Arts & Specialist Sale takes
place on Saturday, March 21st from 9.30am until 12 noon; Monday, March
23 from 10am-4pm and on day of sale from 8.30am.
We also hold regular Three Day Home & Interior Sales from Tuesday to
Thursday featuring everything from jewellery, watches, silver, coins, medals
and militaria to pictures, toys, books, technology, ceramics, glass,
collectables, memorabilia, household furnishings, electricals, and antique
and modern furniture.
Our next trio of Three Day Sales take place on
February 18-20, March 10-12 and March 31-April 2,
with viewing on the Saturday prior to sale from
9.30am-12noon, the Monday from 9am-4pm and on
sale mornings from 8.30am.
You never know what might catch your eye, so
come on down and join us!
Visit us online at www.richardwinterton.co.uk.
20