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Inverted Swan Stamp Inverted Swan Stamp
Inverted Swan Stamp Inverted Swan Stamp

Inverted Swan


Issue Date

January, 1855

Issuer

Western Australia

Known For

One of the world's first frame invert errors.

Approximate Value

$60,000 US Dollars

History

Before the discovery of Australia, it was believed that a black swan was impossible. However, after people discovered the existence of black swans in Australia, it soon became the symbol of the continent.

The design of the Black Swan Stamp was by Horace Samson using lithography. A different frame was used for each value of the series of stamps. The 4 cent value is printed in blue.

In January 1855, one of the printing press was damaged and had to be replaced. However, the component that etched the frames were replaced upside down, and 388 errors were printed and sold before being discovered, creating the Inverted Swan Stamp. Only 15 complete copies are known to exist today.


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Inverted Swan Stamp Inverted Swan Stamp
Inverted Swan Stamp Inverted Swan Stamp