Auction #696 -Flagship US, British and Worldwide Stamps and Postal History

Great Britain, 1963, 3d Red Cross error, one phosphor band omitted (two instead of three bands) (Scott 398 var.), o.g., never hinged, Fine to Very Fine, a dazzling showpiece.
SG 642pb. S.G. Spec. WP37b.
Estimate $600 - 800

This is the "discovery copy" and the only copy officially known to exist, and, as such, is listed but not price in the Gibbons Specialized catalogue; included is the official letter from Stanley Gibbons Limited dated "3rd January, 1972" stating this as "verified" and noting that it will be listed in future Gibbons catalogues; it further states: "It is rather difficult to explain this particular shift, but this copy may have come from either the left or right vertical row." The letter confirms that phosphor band errors "from that period known to us is very small." .