'Marvellous mint block' of historic Turkish stamps could sell for €7,000

From the 19th century, this unique philatelic specimen will turn heads at Christoph Gärtner's auction

Following our report on the London Festival of Stamps-winning collection that will be sold priced at €25,000 by Christoph Gärtner Philatelic, here's another look ahead to its September 7-10 sale.

Also among the lots are a number of unique and wonderful Turkish philatelic specimens, including this mint condition block of six stamps dated to 1863.

The six Tugrali 20 stamps are printed in black on yellow thin paper, described by Christoph Gärtner as a "marvellous mint block" of three tête-bêche - or head-to-tail - pairs.

This 150-year-old Turkish philatelic rarity is estimated at €7,000

According the lot notes, the stamps are from grid position 129-131 x 140-142 on what would originally have been a full sheet of 154 stamps.

Today, almost 150 years after it was cut from that original sheet, this block of fine and very rare first issues is billed as "extremely fresh and fine, [with] large part original gum."

The block is appearing for sale with an estimate of €7,000. Bids close on September 8.