British Commonwealth
- (1, 1a), F-VF, no gum - 407514Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $1,175.00Stock #: 407514Your Price $292.50 Originally $650.00
- (3), F-VF, og - 407512Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $625.00Stock #: 407512Your Price $211.50 Originally $470.00
- (5), F-VF, no gum - 407507Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $1,000.00Stock #: 407507Your Price $247.50 Originally $550.00
- (6), F-VF, no gum - 407508Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $2,600.00Stock #: 407508Your Price $652.50 Originally $1,450.00
- (7), F-VF, no gum - 407509Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $3,500.00Stock #: 407509Your Price $866.25 Originally $1,925.00
- (12-13), F-VF, no gum - 407519Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $950.00Stock #: 407519Your Price $236.25 Originally $525.00
- (13a), VERY FINE, no gum - 407518Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $450.00Stock #: 407518Your Price $180.00 Originally $400.00
- (18), VERY FINE, no gum - 407520Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $575.00Stock #: 407520Your Price $234.00 Originally $520.00
- (19), VERY FINE, og - 407521Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $1,000.00Stock #: 407521Your Price $405.00 Originally $900.00
- (21), F-VF, og - 407522Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $900.00Stock #: 407522Your Price $303.75 Originally $675.00
- (24), F-VF, no gum - 407523Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $1,300.00Stock #: 407523Your Price $321.75 Originally $715.00
- (27), VERY FINE, og - 407506Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $350.00Stock #: 407506Your Price $141.75 Originally $315.00
- (30), thin, VERY FINE, og - 407517Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $1,300.00Stock #: 407517Your Price $360.00 Originally $800.00
- (32), VERY FINE, no gum - 407525Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $800.00Stock #: 407525Your Price $252.00 Originally $560.00
- (35), VERY FINE, no gum - 407527Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $1,850.00Stock #: 407527Your Price $585.00 Originally $1,300.00
- (42), VERY FINE, no gum - 407532Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $925.00Stock #: 407532Your Price $292.50 Originally $650.00
- (50), VERY FINE, og - 407505Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $900.00Stock #: 407505Your Price $360.00 Originally $800.00
- (53), VERY FINE, no gum - 407530Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $300.00Stock #: 407530Your Price $94.50 Originally $210.00
- (60), VERY FINE, no gum - 407515Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $350.00Stock #: 407515Your Price $110.25 Originally $245.00
- (64-65), VERY FINE, og - 407533Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $270.00Stock #: 407533Your Price $108.00 Originally $240.00
- (71-83), VERY FINE, og - 407534Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $1,130.75Stock #: 407534Your Price $495.00 Originally $1,100.00
- (104), VERY FINE, og - 407536Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $400.00Stock #: 407536Your Price $180.00 Originally $400.00
- (105), VERY FINE, og - 407538Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $350.00Stock #: 407538Your Price $157.50 Originally $350.00
- (120-122), VERY FINE, og - 407539Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $475.00Stock #: 407539Your Price $213.75 Originally $475.00
- (154-166A), EXTREMELY FINE, og - 407973Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: 950.00Stock #: 407973Your Price $400.00 Originally $800.00
- (178-179), VERY FINE, og, NH - 408171Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $403.50Stock #: 408171Your Price $162.50 Originally $325.00
- HONG KONG- MOSTLY PREMIUM SELECTION OF HUNDREDS - 407391Hong Kong (HOKON)Estimated Net Value: $1,000.00 – $1250.00Stock #: 407391Your Price $450.00 Originally $1,000.00
- HONG KONG - MAINLY PREMIUM SELECTION - 404750Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog About: $1,850.00Stock #: 404750Your Price $245.00 Originally $700.00
- (J1-J5), VERY FINE, og, NH - 407540Hong Kong (HOKON)Scott Catalog Value: $300.00Stock #: 407540Your Price $135.00 Originally $300.00
Collecting British Commonwealth Stamps
In 1840, the United Kingdom was the first country in the world to introduce nationwide postal service. As such, it should be no surprise that the country has a rich philatelic history filled with many notable, rare and collectible stamps. The UK is also remarkable for establishing functioning postal systems in its colonial territories — many of which laid the basis for a national system following independence from the Empire.
Collectible UK Stamps
One of the most collectible UK stamps is the Penny Black, notable for being the first in the world to use an adhesive backing. First printed in 1840, the Penny Black had a value of one cent and featured an iconic profile of Queen Victoria against a black backing. One interesting feature of the stamp with implications for collectors is that each pane was cut by hand, resulting in great variance in consistency.
Penny Blacks with uniform margins are highly prized by today's collectors. However, because of its historically wide circulation, many Penny Blacks do still exist today, making them an excellent first purchase for anyone interested in beginning a collection of rare British stamps.
Other notable British stamps from this period include the Penny Red (the successor to the Penny Black), the two pence blue, the Prince Consort Essay and more. Anyone interested in adding to their collection should speak with the team at Apfelbaum, Inc. directly for information about upcoming sales.
British Colonial Stamps
Collecting rare British Commonwealth stamps is another popular hobby that combines history with philately in fascinating ways. At its peak, the British Empire spanned over 33 million square kilometers and included territories in North and South America, Africa and the Middle East. Stamps from former colonies are known as “dead country stamps” and are highly prized by collectors. In fact, as of 2014, the most valuable stamp ever sold was the British Guyana 1 cent magenta — the only existing copy was sold at auction for an estimated $9.4 million.
Apfelbaum, Inc. frequently has rare British Commonwealth stamps for sale in our Stamp Store from all corners of the globe. Check out our next Public Auction or browse our Stamp Store to see what’s available.
Learn more about the British Commonwealth and its postal history.