News Archive

The Sir Miles Rivett-Carnac Collection of New South Wales - September 23 2004

This magnificent collection, comprising 213 lots, features some of the great rarities and items that have appeared in many of the important collections of New South Wales formed over the years, such as Charles Pack (1947), Alfred Caspary (1958), Maurice Burrus (1964), John Boker (1981), Dr. Robert Wiggins (1981), Dale Lichtenstein (1990) and V.P. Manwood (1995).

The auction commences with a range of early letters, many of them from the “Evans” correspondence. The highlight is the 1841 entire to London showing oval-framed “DAPTO/Crown/NEW S. WALES” oval datestamp with “PAID AT DAPTO” handstamp in red alongside (Est. £500-600).

The postage stamps start with first issue of New South Wales, namely the Sydney Views, which start with a few essays including a 2d. designed by Carmichael in a design similar to that issued (Est. £8000-10,000). The strength of this section lies in the wonderful multiples and covers. Of particular note is the 1d. Plate II crimson-lake pairs (2) on 1852 entire to Sydney showing the extremely rare “NEWCASTLE/N.S.W./PT OFFICE” circular intaglio seal (£5000-6000); 1d. Plate II crimson-lake block of six rejoined from two vertical strips of three (£4000-5000); 2d. Plate I greyish blue block of four used in Brisbane, Queensland (£5000-6000); 2d. Plate I greyish blue used block of four with the lower row retouched and showing huge margins at top and at foot (Est. £12,000-15,000); 2d. Plate II early impression indigo used strip of four (Est. £7000-9000); the unique 2d. Plate II early impression lilac-blue used strip of four (£4000-5000); and 3d. yellow-green unused vertical pair with almost full original gum and showing sheet margin at left (£3500-4500). These are only a small representation of this issue on offer.

In the Laureated Issues, there is a 1d. vermilion unused block of ten on unwatermarked paper with nearly full original gum, one stamp showing the plate flaw no leaves right of “SOUTH” (Est. £15,000-20,000), 2d. Plate II ultramarine unused strip of eight on unwatermarked paper with full original gum (Est. £5000-6000) and 3d. dull yellow-green unused marginal block of fifteen with nearly full original gum (Est. £50,000-60,000). This block was cut from a part sheet of thirty-eight stamps presented to Sir Daniel Cooper, Governor of New South Wales and the first President of the London Philatelic Society.

The next section is the Diadem Issues. In this fascinating issue there is an essay, by Perkins Bacon, of the Victoria Queen on Throne die proof in blue with the country name reading “NEW SOUTH WALES” (Est. £1500-2000), a series of 6d. trial proofs and a good run of the issued stamps, both imperforate and perforated.

The sale concludes with a small section of the Coin Issues including a die proof in black on India paper (Est. £800-1000) and various plate proofs in different colours, later issues with a range of essays and proofs, Revenue handpainted essays by De La Rue and New South Wales used in the Moreton Bay District (Queensland).