World’s ‘rarest’ stamp ‘to break record’ at auction

LONDON - One of world’s rarest stamps is set to go under the hammer and is expected to fetch a record-breaking price, according to the head of a Geneva auction house. he Swedish ‘Treskilling Yellow’ is believed to be the only surviving misprint of an 1855 three shilling stamp that was supposed to be green.

It has fabled status among collectors and is considered among the world’s most valuable objects pound for pound.

“I’m hoping it will be a new record,” the Telegraph quoted auctioneer David Feldman as saying.

Feldman oversaw its last official sale in 1996 for 2.875 million Swiss francs.

And he has said that Saturday’s auction will involve several undisclosed telephone bidders whose credentials have been checked.

All who take part have been sworn to secrecy, but the buyer will have the right to decide whether his name and the purchase price can be revealed after the sale, said Feldman.

The Treskilling Yellow is “one of about a half dozen highly notorious stamps in the world,” according to noted U.S. stamp expert Robert Odenweller.

It has changed hands at least once since 1996, but little is known about the current owner.

“It’s always been shrouded in a certain amount of mystery. I couldn’t even guess at this moment,” said Odenweller.

He said it was impossible to accurately appraise stamps such as the Treskilling Yellow because “value is what somebody wants to pay for it.” (ANI)