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Egypt, Suez Canal Company, Scott L3, SG 3, Yvert 3, MNH. 1868 - 20c blue, early Steam Ship. This is a choice stamp from the sheet of 120, showing the characteristics unique to this position. Each stamp in the sheet of 120 is different and can be plated and thus the original position within the sheet can be determined. There are no two stamps exactly alike in the sheet. This stamp is from a fresh sheet that I recently split into singles and blocks. Fresh, bright, MNH and XF. 2023 Stanley Gibbons CV: £75.00; 2023 Scot CV: $90.00; both valuations as hinged. Unpriced as NH. Copy of APEX Cert for block of 16 accompanies, with the stamp taken circled on the certificate. In 1856 a concession to construct the Suez Canal was granted to Ferdinand de Lesseps and the Companie Universalle du Canal Maritime de Suez was formed. Work began in 1859, and the canal was opened on November 17, 1869 with a length of 120 miles from Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea to Suez on the Red Sea. The Companie transported mail free of charge from 1859-1867, when it was decided that there should be a charge for such service, and postage stamps were introduced. A 1 centime black, 5c green, 20c blue and 40c red featuring a steamship with sails were printed by Chezaud Aine et Tavernier in Paris and issued July 8, 1868. Though the new stamps were valid within the Canal Work Zones, French stamps had to be attached by the French Post Office in Port Said or the city of Suez for mail addressed to foreign destinations. The imposition of charges was not welcomed by the public and in October 1868 the Egyptian Government agreed to take over the service, replacing them with their own stamps, post offices and carriers. WE COMBINE SHIPPING - PAY ONLY ONE LOW SHIPPING CHARGE PER ORDER. |