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Auction: 160 - The Henry "Hap" Pattiz Collection of Nepal
Lot: 2061

Hellrigl #5a, 1881 2a Purple, tete-beche pair, on European wove paper, imperforate, setting 3, positions 21-22, unused without gum as issued, the magnificent rarity of the only First Issue value having this tete-beche variety that Nepal is so well known for, position 21 is the inverted cliche, a wonderful pair having wide full balanced margins all around, excellent bright color and impression showing the inverted cliche exceptionally well, fresh white paper, very fine and exceedingly attractive.

Hellrigl in his handbook calls this "the greatest rarity of Nepal", Since it is not found in settings 1 or 2 by process of elimination it must come from setting three of which there are no sheets or even large multiple known, thus this key position piece becomes the quintessential example of this setting. There are a total of only three pairs known. All are mint making Scott's listing and pricing of mint and used #2a and #5a ludicrous. There is one damaged mint pin-perforated example that was in the Dawson sale in 1967. The pair offered here is one of only two known imperforate tete-beche pairs and considering its excellent condition it certainly fits Dr. Hellrigl's description as The Greatest rarity of Nepal, an essential position piece for a World -class collection of Nepal (Scott #5a; S.G. #5a).