The “magenta lady” may not be much to look at, but any collector worth their salt dreams of one day catching a glimpse of the faded, reddish scrap of paper – who wouldn’t want to see the rarest stamp in the world?
Well, if you’re attending Stampex this September, you’ll have your chance. The British Guiana One-Cent Magenta will be on display for the public at the show from September 27 to September 30, courtesy of current owners Stanley Gibbons.
The One-Cent Magenta displayed at Stanley Gibbons headquarters in London.
“We are delighted that Stanley Gibbons are bringing the One Cent Magenta to Stampex,” said Simon Carson, Chairman of Philatelic Traders’ Society and Stampex. “As the world's rarest and most expensive stamp, it is wonderful to have it as part of our show and to be able to share it with our community.”
Officially called the British Guiana ONE CENT black on magenta, but colloquially known as the One-Cent Magenta, the stamp has captivated collectors for 150 years. From its mysterious clipped corners to the apparent total lack of other examples, it is unusual, thrilling, and unique – and that’s before you consider the stamp’s pedigree.
The front of the One-Cent Magenta, featuring the signature of clerk Edmond D. Wight and a heavy postmark.
Created in 1856 when supply for stamps exceeded demand in the small colony of British Guiana (now the Co-operative Republic of Guyana), the One-Cent Magenta languished among the papers of a colonist until it was famously discovered by a young philatelist, Vernon Vaughan in 1873. The schoolboy believed he would soon find another of the stamps, and sold it for sixteen shillings to a local collector – a princely sum for a child at the time, but now considered one of the costliest mistakes in the history of philately.
Since then, the One-Cent Magenta has bounced from owner to fascinating owner, including Philipp von Ferrary, John E. du Pont, and shoe designer Stuart Weitzman, growing its legend (and the collection of owner signatures on the back of the stamp) with every sale. Most recently, the stamp was purchased by the preeminent British philatelic dealer, Stanley Gibbons. The firm purchased the One-Cent Magenta at auction in New York for a whopping $8,307,000 in 2021. In an exciting twist to the stamp’s story, Stanley Gibbons briefly opened up ownership of the British Guiana One Cent Magenta to the wider philatelic public through fractional share ownership.
The back of the One-Cent Magenta, featuring the initials, signatures, and seals of previous owners.
If you want to see this captivating piece of philatelic history for yourself, all you need to do is hop on a plane to London. Tickets for Stampex are available online at stampexinternational.com – Day 1 tickets are £10 and Days 2-4 are free for visitors. Stanley Gibbons will also host a talk on the One-Cent Magenta on Wednesday, September 27.
If you aren’t able to attend Stampex but want learn more about the One-Cent Magenta, you can find a variety of materials about rarest stamp in the world on the shelves of the APRL – or purchase your own copy of James Barron’s The One-Cent Magenta: Inside the Quest to Own the Most Valuable Stamp in the World in the APS Publication Shop.
Are you making the trip to Stampex this month? If you do, and have a chance to see the One-Cent Magenta, drop us a line at digitalcontent@stamps.org and let us know about your experience. Does the magenta lady live up to the hype?
About the Philatelic Traders’ Society
Formed in 1929 by a group of established stamp dealers, The Philatelic Traders’ Society was created to act for and on behalf of its members for the good of philately. With a Code of Ethics and a service for dispute resolution, The Philatelic Traders’ Society is regarded as a reputable organisation within the industry, upholding the values of honesty and integrity. The PTS also organises Stampex – the UK’s leading philatelic exhibition. www.thepts.net
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