Ireland has produced its own postage stamps since 1922. Before that, the country was the part of the United Kingdom and used British postal items. When Ireland gained independence in 1922, it founded the Oifig an Phoist (Irish Post Office) to oversee all mail delivery and stamp production. Since then, a total of seven definitive stamp series have been released, as well as other commemorative additions typically marking a notable Irish statesman or cultural figure, or some of the island’s unique flora and fauna. Many of these first philatelic items are extremely valuable and scarce. Nowadays Ireland is known for releasing a wonderful range of innovative stamps, which are definitely popular among collectors.
$12,500
2d coil stamp, 1935
2d coil stamp is one of the rarest and most famous Irish stamps. It was produced using an experimental method leading to perforated edges on the top and bottom and imperforated edges on the sides. The design of this innovative at that time philatelic item was identical to the definitive 1922 two pence stamp, which was perforated on all sides and featured the map of Ireland. To date, 20 mint examples have been identified, along with others that have been cancelled. A very fine specimen of 2d coil stamp, featuring rich colour and a minor defect in right hand margin, was offered by Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions in April, 2011. This bright lot with a very fine centering was sold for $12,500.
$5,283
5p New York World's Fair stamp, 1964
5p New York World's Fair stamp was issued in 1964 to celebrate the 1964 New York World's fair that was held in Queen's Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The theme of this event was “Peace Through Understanding” and it was dedicated to “Man’s Achievement on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe.” The stamp shows the Irish pavilion that was designed by Scott who was singled out as the best architect. The most interesting variety of 5p New York World's Fair stamps are the ones with brown printing omitted. An unmounted mint vertical pair from top of sheet (top stamp with variety brown printing omitted), fine and rare, was auctioned by Grosvenor in May, 2010. The lot fetched £4,000 (or roughly $5,283).
$3,521
60c Captain Jack White stamp, 2014
60c Captain Jack White stamp is an ultra-rare Irish stamp that was withdrawn at the day of issuance. It was released to commemorate the centenary of the formation of the Irish Citizen Army and featured a portrait of Captain White (as it was believed). He was a former British Army Officer who, in 1913 volunteered to train the Irish Citizen Army. The historians now assert that the forefront image thought to be Captain Jack is actually that of Vincent Poole, GPO Garrison Irish Citizen Army member who was awarded a medal in 1916 and another during the Civil War. A corner plate block of four 60c Captain Jack White stamps made €3,100 (or roughly $3,521) at MacDonnell Whyte’s auction that took place in August, 2014.
$3,000
10s dull gray blue seahorse stamp, 1922
When Ireland became a free state in 1922, the provisional stamps were created by overprinting contemporary British items. One of such issues that appeared at the time was 10s dull gray blue seahorse stamp, which was overprinted in bluish black by Alex. Thom & Co. It features the profile of George V who was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Philatelists believe that less than 5 copies of this impressive stamp are known unused. 10s dull gray blue seahorse with Thom overprint was offered by Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions in February, 2010. The lot in a very fine condition fetched $3,000.
$2,033
Christmas 21p in imperforated block of 4, 1986
Christmas 21p stamp was issued by Ireland Post in 1986 to celebrate Christmas that is one of the most important holidays in the country. The item features a Nativity scene from Renaissance painting, with heavy lettering either side. It also contains the inscription Nollaig, which is an Irish word for Christmas. The only recorded block of this variety was offered for €1,800 (or roughly $2,033) by Heinrich Köhler in March, 2019. This bright lot accompanied by Hamilton-Bowen certificate was described by the auction house as follows: “imperforated block of 4 from the lower left sheet corner with marginal inscription, unmounted mint, extremely fine and very rare”.
$1,980
24p 350th anniversary of Company of Goldsmiths stamp, 1987
24p 350th anniversary of Company of Goldsmiths stamp was issued to celebrate 350 years since the creation of Dublin Company of Goldsmiths. The item shows Ewer and Chalice, as well as the Company’s Crest, which was established and incorporated by royal charter of Charles I on 22nd December 1637. The main task of the company was to assay and hallmark (tests and certifies) items of gold, silver and platinum jewellery and or plate manufactured in Ireland or imported. One of the rarest copies of 24p 350th anniversary of Company of Goldsmiths stamp is the specimen with variety yellow omitted. A fine unmounted mint example of this philatelic error was sold for $1,980 by Grosvenor in October, 2010.
$1,800
1/2p green stamp with red overprint, 1922
The Irish Provisional Government created their first philatelic issues by overprinting the contemporary British postage stamps, which featured the profile of King George V. One of such items was 1/2p green provisional government stamp overprinted in red or carmine by Dollard, Ltd. (the overprint measures 15 x 17 mm). A block of six stamps with trial overprint in red appeared at Cherrystone auction that took place in December, 2015. The lot featuring “Original Proof Dollard 17.2.22" handstamps on reverse, top stamps hinged, in a very fine condition managed to fetch $1,800.
$1,588
21p Christmas error stamp, 1987
21p Christmas stamp is one of the most beautiful Irish commemorative issues. It was released in 1987 to celebrate a Christmas holiday and features such birds as turtle dove, partridge and French hen. The collectable examples of 21p Christmas stamp are those that miss the inscription "NOLLAIG 1987". Only fourteen specimens with such an error are registered today, that is why they are quite scarce. A fine unmounted mint copy of 21p Christmas stamp was offered by Grosvenor auction house in May, 2009. The lot accompanied by Hamilton-Bowen certificate was sold for £1,200 (or roughly $1,588).
$1,184
10s St. Patrick indigo stamp, 1937
10s St. Patrick indigo stamp was issued on September 8, 1937. It was printed on paper with WMK 044, and is perforated 14 x 15. The design of this stunning philatelic item features an artistic depiction of St. Patrick and the Paschal Fire. Saint Patrick was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland. 10s St. Patrick indigo stamp with variety watermark inverted, fine used and rare, was auctioned by Grosvenor in May, 2011. The lot accompanied by Hamilton-Bowen certificate managed to fetch £900 (or roughly $1,184).
$924
15p American bicentenary with silver missing stamp, 1976
15p American bicentenary with silver (face value, country name and inscription) missing is one of the key Irish philatelic rarities. It was issued to commemorate the bicentennial of the United States and features a profile of Benjamin Franklin sporting a beaver-pelt hat. The regular stamps from this series bear the inscription “American Declaration of Independent 1776” in silver placed on the left side of the design with the added name “Benjamin Franklin.” The specimens with silver missing are highly collectible with only few copies recorded. 15p American bicentenary with silver missing stamp was auctioned for $924 by Grosvenor in May, 2010.
