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Edward M Gilbert sale: British Commonwealth Highlights

ADEN-ZULULAND – MANY IMPORTANT RARITIES CONTAINED IN THIS 1400 LOT AUCTION

Spink, in association with H. R. Harmer Inc. of New York, are delighted to present this significant collection. Edward Gilbert is well known in Philatelic circles as a client who acquired the finest available examples of early Commonwealth classics and middle issues. His career as a Wall Street trader, and later as an astute investor in the Real Estate market, has been well documented. A few of the many rarities on offer are discussed here.

In Barbados we find a most interesting rarity. In 1861/70 the 1/- value was printed in black. However in 1863, some 50,000 copies were sent to the Colony printed in blue, which was usually reserved for the 1d value. A new supply was forwarded and the bulk of the “blue” stamps destroyed. However a few copies were pen cancelled, possibly for mementoes, and around nine examples still exist. This copy is exceedingly fresh and may be the finest copy that remains. Listed in the catalogue as number 118, the estimate is £6,000 - £7,000.

Bermuda has always been popular with Philatelists and lot 229 is most interesting. W. B. Perot was the Postmaster at Hamilton and his old Post Office is still open today as a museum. In 1861 the second issue of Postmaster stamps were available with a value of 1d, although this is not shown on the label. It bears the “Crown Paid at Hamilton Bermuda” cancellation and postmarked by pen, on bluish laid paper. Amazingly this stamp was removed from its envelope by a collector in the distant past. Mr Morris Ludington purchased the stamp and later uncovered the whereabouts of the envelope it originated on - thus they are happily reunited. This major rarity is one of only two known. The estimate is £50,000 - £60,000.

Dominica is one of the smaller West Indian Islands. In 1886, due to a shortage of 1d. stamps, the 6d value was surcharged with the “1d” overprint with thin bar. Only two sheets were produced and therefore it is a considerable rarity. Lot 602 has this stamp on a cover with other values addressed to Antigua. No other example exists on envelope, and thus it remains the sole example available to collectors. With the Provenance of Dale-Lichtenstein and J. Charlton Henry, this is sure to be one of the more sought after items. It is estimated at £10,000 - £12,000. Stanley Gibbons catalogues the stamp at £10,000 but declines a value on envelope.

Jamaica is another West Indian Island with a famous history. The 1919-21 issue contains a 1/- value printed in orange-yellow and red orange. However due to a misprint, the frame became inverted. Only a few of these escaped detection and they constitute one of the rarities of the Commonwealth. Lot 761 is estimated at between £8,000 and £10,000 and was originally in the collection of the Ameer of Bahawalpur. It was shown in the Court of Honour at the 1960 International Exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Malaya Strait-Settlements has the honour of the most valuable high value stamp in the British Commonwealth. The 1910 Edward Vll $500 purple and orange with large part original gum emanates from the well known collection of Maurice Burrus, the French tobacco millionaire. This rarity (lot 830 in the auction) is estimated at £60,000 - £70,000 and is catalogued as S.G.169 in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue. With the B.P.A certificate and various Italian opinions, it surely will be one of the highlights of this outstanding collection.

Finally, we must include the most impressive variety in Commonwealth philately. In 1867, the Virgin Islands issued 1/- black and rose-carmine with the distinct error of the whole of the centre missing – known famously as “The Missing Virgin”. This particular example is the only one extant with original gum and emanates from many distinguished sources. Notably Lord Crawford, H.J. Duveen and Arthur Hind. Lot 1382 in the auction, it has a B.P.A certificate and is catalogued as S.G.18b. The estimate is £60,000 - £70,000. This wonderful stamp would create the future purchaser fame within philatelic circles and a provenance such as names listed above.

The above is but a small extract from this remarkable sale and the results will be of record for many years to come.