News Archive

SPINK JULY SALE FEATURES STAMPS AND COVERS OF THE WORLD – ALSO STAMP BOXES

The 6 & 7 July auction will see over 2000 lots on offer with many collections and valuable items

The final sale of the first half of the year is one of the largest the Spink organisation has ever held running to over 300 pages and described by the Chairman of Collectables as more like a "Telephone Directory"! The varied contents should appeal to Philatelists of almost every taste.

The first section contains some 125 lots of Stamp Boxes in all shapes and sizes. With estimates ranging from £50 to £5,000, there is something here for all discerning collectors of these beautiful objects. Lot 546 is a Birmingham novelty box in silver in the form of William Shakespeare’s desk as seen in his house in Stratford upon Avon. Originally retailed by Asprey’s, the lid of the desk when opened reveals two sloping compartments and is rated as very rare. The estimate is £1,300 to £1,500.

Lots 622 to 735 feature the remarkable Postal History collection of the late Rod Moreton of "Crime and Punishment". The first section (lots 622-652) relates to specific types of crime; the second (lots 653-661) to the legal process; the third (lots 662-69) to prisons; and the fourth (lots 692-735) specifically to the sentence of "Transportation" - of special interest here for our Australian clients! Accompanying many of the lots are reproductions of official record documents, photographs, newspaper cuttings and engravings. A fascinating research project.

Great Britain Postal History occupy lots 736 to 880. Letters from 1571 to 1900 including early markings, Mulreadys, Caricatures and franked items to different destinations as well as illustrated covers. Lot 824 is an 1840 Mulready letter sheet dated 25th March 1841 and cancelled with a superb strike of the "Wotton-Under-Edge" Maltese Cross with handstamp on reverse. This may well be the finest in existence and is valued at £10,000/12,000.

Great Britain will again feature in the second session of the auction commencing at 2pm with lots 881-1549. Strong sections include Line-Engraved issues, Surface printed, Edward V11, George V and V1 and of course our current Queen. Later one will find Great Britain Used Abroad and a nice group of collections and ranges. There are several highlights here, with lot 938 - an 1840 1d black from Plate 4 with part o.g. and B.P.A certificate - valued at £2,000/2,500. Next lot 970 has a fine pair of the 1840 2d blue on cover dated 18th July 1841. Cancelled with black Maltese Cross cancellations, this is in very fine condition and should appeal to the Connoisseur! It is estimated at £2,000/2,500.

In the Surface Printed section, lot 1143 is the 1862-64 6d deep lilac, plate 3 in a wing marginal mint block of 4. A few short perforations at bottom, but the intense colour of this piece should guarantee plenty of competition. It is estimated at £3,500/4,000. The Edward V11 section includes the 1911-13 6d bright magenta, S.G.296 with R.P.S certificate. The mint never hinged example should excite collectors of this area and is estimated at £8,000/10,000. George V has lot 1269: 1912-24 ½ d very yellow "Cyprus green" shade, S.G.355 in unmounted mint condition. With B.P.A certificate, it is estimated at £3,800/£4,200 and is one of the rarities of this reign.

The Used Abroad section has a great rarity in lot 1493. Great Britain used in Nicaragua has always been popular because of the wonderful "Pector and Ducout" correspondence. The 1881 envelope present here carries the Nicaragua 5c and 25c stamps with Great Britain 1 ½ d rose, plate 3 and a strip of 3 of the 4d grey brown, plate 17. Addressed to Paris, the British stamps overlap the Nicaraguan but have been lifted for display. Ex the Grant Glassco collection, it is estimated at £5,500/6,500. These are but a few examples of this comprehensive offering.

The third session commences with British Commonwealth Aden to Jamaica – Lots 1550 to 1900 - at 11am on the 7th July. There are several good sections here with India the most prominent in size. Canada – lot 1554 includes a reference collection on leaves with Pence, 1859, Large and Small Queen issues. There are articles, photographs and notes included and looks as though careful viewing might reward the next owner! It is estimated at £3,200/3,500. Cape of Good Hope has several rare covers estimated between £2,000/3,000 including combinations and rates. Jamaica – lot 1892 has the 1860 1/- yellow-brown in a mint block of 30 with sheet margins and part inscription. Catalogued as S.G.6 at £13.500 + with most stamps unmounted mint, this may well exceed the modest estimate of £3,000/4,000 although it is partially severed in places.

The 2pm session finishes the sale with lots from 1901 to 2583. This covers the balance of British Commonwealth and Foreign stamps and covers with collections at the end. Lots 2043 to 2127 comprise a significant collection of Virgin Islands. Many wonderful items here with emphasis on proofs and sheets. Lot 2051 is the 1866 issue 1d and 6d combination Die Proofs in black on card. This may be unique and is estimated at £4,000/5,000. Nearly as rare is the 1888 4d on 1/- black and rose-carmine, toned paper, complete sheet of 20 (lot 2107) with position 11 showing the long-tailed "S" variety. Ex. Burrus and Fraser, this is evidently one of only two sheets in existence.

Lots 2146 to 2583 are countries from Afghanistan to Venezuela. Some good sections here including Austria. Lot 2181 is the 3kr light green of 1867 used on entire letter dated 30th April 1873 to Tagblatt. Ex. Watzl, with Puschmann certificate, it catalogues £7,500 and is estimated from £1,000/1,200. Over 100 lots of Egypt make an area that is only infrequently offered at auction. Lot 2260 is a cover from the Russian Post Office dated 19th March 1874 from Alexandria to Port Said. It bears the Levant vertically laid paper 1k (2) and l0k, S.G.18 and 21, and is remarkable for the fine condition and rarity. The estimate is £1,000/1,200.

Several important collections are included and Lot 2427 has a fine accumulation of Jordan. Some 300 items dated from 1920-60 primarily Postal History mounted on Frank Godden oversize leaves. Viewing is recommended for this impressive lot and it is estimated at £4,500/£5,000. Switzerland, Lot 2505, has the highest estimate (£12,000/14,000). From the Federal Administration, a cover bearing a strip of 4 of the 1850 "Orts-Post" 2 ½ r black on red, positions 33-36 on the sheet, used on 1851 from St. Gallen to Sargans. Described as "of the highest exhibition quality" it is certified by SBPV (2004).

Thus concludes this brief resume. A strong finish to an outstanding first half of the season, which will result in a record realisation for the stamp department of Spink. We look forward to reviewing this season shortly and will keep you informed about future auctions in September.