The British Guiana 1c Magenta stamp is not just a piece of paper; it is a symbol of wealth, rarity, and eccentricity. This tiny postage stamp, measuring just 1 inch by 1.5 inches, has been called the most famous and valuable stamp in the world. Its unique history is as fascinating as it is bizarre, and the story of its most infamous owner, John E. du Pont, adds another layer of intrigue.
Let’s start with a little history. In 1856, the British colony of Guiana (now known as Guyana) needed some stamps in a hurry, so they asked a local printer to produce a set of 1c, 4c, and 4c stamps. The printer, a man named Joseph Baum, accidentally printed the 1c stamp in the wrong color (magenta instead of the intended black), and without the colony’s name on it. So, he added the words “British Guiana” in tiny letters at the top and bottom, making the stamp unique.
The stamp was issued and used for a short time, but most were destroyed when the colony switched to a different design. However, a few survived and found their way into the hands of collectors. Over the years, the 1c Magenta stamp became a holy grail for stamp collectors worldwide, coveted for its rarity and uniqueness.
Fast forward to the 20th century, and the stamp found itself in the hands of John E. du Pont, a wealthy heir and eccentric who collected rare stamps, guns, and Olympic wrestlers. Du Pont was a peculiar character, to say the least, who had built a wrestling training facility on his estate and fancied himself a coach and mentor to Olympic wrestlers. His strange behavior and paranoia eventually led to his downfall, but that’s a story for another day.
Du Pont acquired the 1c Magenta stamp in 1980 for the sum of $935,000, making it the most expensive stamp ever sold at the time. He kept it on display in his mansion’s library, where it became the centerpiece of his stamp collection. Du Pont would occasionally show the stamp to visitors, including a reporter from Vanity Fair who wrote an article about him in 1996.
In 1997, du Pont was arrested for the murder of Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz, and he was eventually convicted and sentenced to prison, where he died in 2010. His stamp collection, including the British Guiana 1c Magenta, was sold off to pay his debts and legal fees.
The stamp was last sold in 2014 for a whopping $9.5 million, making it the most expensive stamp ever sold, once again. Today, the British Guiana 1c Magenta stamp remains one of the rarest and most coveted stamps in the world, a testament to its unique history and the strange characters who have owned it.
In conclusion, the British Guiana 1c Magenta stamp is not just a piece of paper; it is a symbol of eccentricity, wealth, and rarity. Its unique history, including its ownership by the infamous John E. du Pont, only adds to its allure. If you’re ever lucky enough to see one in person, take a moment to appreciate the tiny piece of paper that has captured the imagination of stamp collectors for over a century.
