News Archive

Stamps and Covers of the World Sale 24 September 2003

This interesting and varied auction comprises almost 1200 lots with a range of both individual items of merit together with fine sections and collections from a wide range of countries.

The sale commences with almost 900 lots of British Commonwealth including an attractive selection of Colonial head die proofs. The fine collections of Atlantic Islands from the estate of the late William Frazer are included. These comprise Ascension and St. Helena, with a good offering of the Badge issue varieties, and Falkland Islands with essays, proofs and covers. Bechuanaland includes an attractive selection of covers and there is a wonderful range of Queen Elizabeth varieties from Bermuda with imperforate errors and missing colours. East Africa is represented by attractive covers and cancellations of British East Africa, K.U.T., Uganda and Zanzibar whilst one of the larger sections from this area comprises a wonderful array of the Tanganyika Mafia Island overprints with many of the great varieties from this interesting group of issues which were overprinted on existing stocks of German Colonies and Fiscal stamps, and later on Indian Expeditionary values.

Malaya features a wonderful range of the 1933-34 Survey Department essays. These resulted from an agreement in 1933 that the postal system in the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States be re-organised. The new stamps were to be valid and interchangeable throughout the Union as long as they had the word “MALAYA” on them.

Northern Nigeria features an attractive 1900 ½d. handprinted essay together with 1903 £25 imperforate colour trial in green and black, and a mint example of the issued stamp – one of the great 20th century rarities of the British Commonwealth.

Once again this sale includes a wonderful collection of the ever popular Rhodesia 1910-13 “Double Head” issue, surely one of the most popular and beautiful sets ever produced for a British Colony.

This fine specialised collection formed by Dr. Tony Robertson features a wide range of printings and shades associated with this issue, and includes a wonderful mint example of the exceedingly rare 2/- deep black and light blue (RSC “E”), and an example of the £1 error of colour, scarlet and reddish mauve from one of only two sheets known to exist. This portion of the sale concludes with some interesting collections and Omnibus issues.

Great Britain features an attractive selection of the 1858-79 1d. and 2d. values in mint multiples, 1867-83 high values, postal stationary die proofs and Ireland with overprint varieties.

Europe and Overseas commences with an unusual cover from the 1895 Jackson-Harmworth Polar Exhibition to Franz Joseph Land, Belgium with three items of Lado Enclave mail and a selection of covers from Belgium Troops in German East Africa during World War I.

There is an interesting selection of Germany with States and Colonies, the latter including a 1911 cover from Cameroon’s bearing the Lonji Provisional 20pf. bisected vertically.

USA includes an example of the 5c. deep blue stamp produced for the 1877 Buffalo balloon flights. These labels, the world’s first airmail stamp, were affixed to covers carried on the balloon which began its flight at Nashville and landed at Gallatin, Texas.

The sale concludes with an unusual group of early merchant’s letter from the Venetian Republic, and the usual array of All World collections and selections.

N.B. Please direct enquiries to David Parsons of the Stamp Department. You can contact the Stamp department on 020 7563 4080. To pre-order your catalogue, please contact Client Services by email on catalogues@spink.com or telephone 020 7563 4008.