Rhodesia 1966 2d yellow-orange and deep green. Missing colour error. SG 375/a
A unique and spectacular error.
Only 24 or 26 examples of this error are believed to exist. A unique item as it is a positional multiple showing the progression of the missing yellow-orange ink and missing it entirely on the lower 2 stamps.
The result of a printing error these stamps should have been destroyed and never have been issued. During printing the yellow-orange ink must have run out resulting in the bottom 2 stamps having no ink and the 2 above only receiving a portion of the ink they should have.
These stamps were produced at a fascinating time in the history of Southern Rhodesia or as is now known - Zimbabwe.
The history of Rhodesia isn’t pleasant and is certainly a confusing one. Originally named ‘Southern Rhodesia’ it gained it’s name from Cecil Rhodes - most famous for founding De Beers (as well as his unsavoury beliefs in the superiority of Anglo-Saxons).
Southern Rhodesia was in effect a British Colony but sought to gain its independence in the 1960’s. After several unsuccessful attempts it declared its own independence in 1965 and started calling itself Rhodesia. The country wished to still have the Queen as head of state, making her Queen of Rhodesia, but she refused - making it more remarkable that her image continued to be displayed on their stamps.
In retaliation the United Kingdom hit Rhodesia with economic sanctions but these were only partly successful and Rhodesia’s economy held on by defaulting on its debts and by exporting minerals to Europe instead of the UK. In the 1970’s the economy actually grew.
With its minority white rule and its independence not being recognised internationally Rhodesia was unpopular in the international community. During the 1970’s the country became increasingly isolated, its neighbours hostile and South Africa (its only supporter for minority white rule) increasingly believing the only way forward was for free elections and ultimately a change to majority black rule. The 1970’s saw bitter fighting in a civil war and the slow but steady erosion of the governments power.
Finally in 1979 free elections were held and the country was renamed Zimbabwe Rhodesia. However the country was still not internationally recognised so was reinstated as a British colony of Southern Rhodesia paving the way for further free elections and to become modern day Zimbabwe.
Sadly there was not a happy ending for Zimbabwe as in the 1980’s election Robert Mugabe was named Prime Minister and for the next 37 years caused lasting damage to the people and economy of the country.
GUIDE PRICE. £8,000.00
SG 375/a
1966 2d yellow-orange and deep green, lower marginal block of 8 Qx\ with part imprint, bottom pair ERROR YELLOW-ORANGE OMITTED, adjoining pair showing partial omission, unmounted o.g. Spectacular and UNIQUE in this positional form.
Ex Lamont-Smith
(Stephan Welz,1416189, lot 310 (part) ). Only 24-26
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