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The Grant Collection of Great Britain: London 25 September 2003

The Spink auction on September 25th presents a wonderful opportunity for collectors of Great Britain for at 10.30 sharp the first session of the “Grant” collection comes under the hammer.

This outstanding collection formed over a period of more than a quarter of a century covers all aspects of the issued stamps from Queen Victoria through to King George VI and includes proofs, essays, a wide selection of rare varieties and cancellations and postal history with hand illustrated envelopes and unusual usages. With dates ranging from 1664 through to 1951 collectors tastes are well catered for in the 700+ lots on offer, with estimates from £40 and up.

The first group of lots comprise postal history commencing with examples of the Bishop Mark, and includes Parliamentary Envelopes, Mulready’s, Caricatures and Illustrated Envelopes, both printed and hand illustrated. The Illustrated Envelope group includes a superb small size printed envelope with a floral border in lilac used locally in London, a beautiful Valentine together with several well executed and delightful items from the Edwardian period.

The Queen Victoria issues comprise mainly used examples from the entire reign with the accent on circular datestamps and other unusual cancellations both off and on cover. The section commences with an example of the “Old Original” die proof of the 1d black and continues with many 1d blacks with rare cancellations and usage on cover. The 2d blue is also well represented. There is a strong section of 1841 issues with a wide variety of rare and scarce cancellations both on and off cover. The “Town Dated” handstamps are particularly attractive, as are the coloured cancellations.

The perforated line engraved issues include superb used examples and rarely seen cancellations on cover. Amongst them are many experimental types.

Embossed issues include all the major shades, a used block of the 1/- and an example of the 6d with double impression which are thought to be unique.

With 200+ lots the Surface Printed presents a stunning array of covers and stamps again with the accent on circular datestamp cancels or other rare and unusual cancellations, including high values. This section also includes many of the rarer varieties, imprimaturs, imperfs and abnormals. The covers offered include rare destinations, registered and mouth-watering examples of both the oval and boxed PD handstamps and inspector marks used to cancel adhesives.

The Edwardian stamps and covers commence with two examples of the extremely rare “Westminster Abbey” circular datestamp that was used for only three hours at the Abbey during the Coronation of King George V. Other lots for the period include superb used low and high values, many in multiples, the majority with exceptional colours. Worthy of particular note in this section is the 1911 ½d. Harrison Printing, Perf.14. a used example with Watermark Sideways. This is thought to be the only known example of this variety in private hands. It is interesting to note that the adjoining stamp at top is in the Royal Philatelic Collection.

King George V collectors will be pleased to see a wide range of both mint and used stamps and covers, including First Day Use. These embrace shades, printing and watermark varieties including many of the rarer types and a host of multiples for both the low and high values of the reign.

The King George VI section includes wonderful perforation varieties, imperf., part perf. etc. and tête-bêche pairs. First Day Covers, with some of the very seldom seen types, and Propaganda Forgeries are also included.

Officials Stamps include rare essays, mint, a range of very fine used with high values and some multiples, and covers. Of particular note is an example of the 1902 6d. I.R. overprinted Specimen.

This highly attractive auction should not be missed by Great Britain enthusiasts, the depth and quality of the lots on offer being seldom seen in today’s market.

Please contact Richard Watkins with any pre-sale enquiries. Catalogues can be pre-ordered by contacting Client Services on 020 7563 4008, or by emailing catalogues@spink.com.