Lagos SG#2 2d Deep Blue 2nd PrintingCrown CC Watermark Perf. 12.5 Flaw Near "T" VF-79 Used

A very well centered and very fine used example of the 2d deep blue Queen Victoria De La Rue Keyplate stamp from the 1874-1876 Perf. 12.5 Crown CC issue. According to J.F Ince in his definitive work, there were a total of 14,160 stamps issued across 4 different printings between May 12, 1874 and May 13, 1875. This example is from the scarce second printing, from September 14, 1874, of which only 2,520 stamps were printed. In addition, it shows an interesting flaw to the left of the "T" of "Two". We do not know if it is constant, but can say that flaws of this type are seldom seen on De La Rue Issues. It is postmarked with a nice clear strike of a scarce and seldom seen November 23, 1874 Proud type D4 Lagos CDS postmark. This scarce type has "Lagos" in the centre of the cancel, rather than around the rim, as with the more commonly seen D6 and D7 types. Stanley Gibbons values a VF-75 used example of the more common fourth printing with type D6 or D7 cancel at 42 pounds = $84. However as only 18% of the stamps in existence are from the second printing, examples should be worth approximately 50% more than the Gibbons prices, and there should also be a significant premium for the cancellation. In fact, this is the only example of Proud type D4 we have encountered in over 200 stamps from this issue. So this example should be worth approximately $182 in this condition. The stamp offered here grades VF-79 used as follows: Margins/centering: 44/60 Paper freshness: 5/5 Colour: 5/5 Impression: 5/5 Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5 Perforations: 5/10 Cancellation: 10/10