Iceland 1897 - Prir 'Þrír' + red '3' on 5 for MH – Large Type – Attest Strandell - AFA 18II, Michel 18 II, Facit 35

Island 1897 – “Þrír” + red “3” on 5 aur MH – Large Type – AFA 18II / Michel 18 II – Edition only 3,440 – Strandell Certificate
One of the classic key issues of Iceland:
the rare provisional overprint “þrír” in large type (Large) with red “3” on 5 aur green.
With a total edition of only 3,440 copies, this variant ranks among the sought-after rarities of Icelandic classic issues.

Philosophical/philatelic classification
• AFA 18II (equivalent to Michel 18 II, Facit 35)
• Overprint “þrír” in large type
• Cancel 12¾ – particularly significant for this issue
• Reference: Wennberg 18 d
The Large-Type is clearly rarer within the 1897 “Þrír” issue than the small script.

Condition
• MH gum with hinge trace
• Color fresh
• Flawless, even perforation
• Overprint perfectly centered
• No defects
See photos for personal assessment and evaluation.

Certificate & authenticity
Certified by Nils Strandell
Stockholm, 29 January 1952
• “Äkta påtryck” (= genuine overprint)
• Also signed on the back in pencil “Strandell”
Especially with this counterfeiting-susceptible issue, a classic examination is a key quality feature.

Significance for collectors
The 1897 “Þrír” provisional issues belong to Iceland’s most demanding collecting areas.
The offered Large-Type AFA 18II in color-fresh, flawless condition with a historic certificate represents a high-quality piece for the upscale Iceland collection.