News from Spink

Spink to Sell Rare Stamps and Covers of South East Asia for Over S$3,000,000

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On the 24th of June 2007 Spink will sell a collection of over 860 stamps and covers with a pre-sale estimate of over S$3,000,000 featuring the Joseph Wong Choon Wing collection. The sale will take place at the Hilton, Orchard Road, in Singapore

Details of the sale:

The first part of the sale features the Joseph Wong Choon Wing collection of which the main portion is his award-winning collection of Straits Settlements, 1829-1941. Starting with pre-stamp covers, of note are the 1829 and 1831 entires showing the large boxed “SINGAPORE/P.O.” datestamps in black (est. S$ 8000-10,000) and red (est. S$8,000-10,000) respectively. These are extremely rare with only four examples of both recorded and having formerly been in the very fine collection formed by Admiral George Dyer.

The India period is where the strength of the collection lies, particularly in the 1854 issues. The main items of interest are a ½a. Die I strip of four cancelled “B/109” at Malacca (est. S$20,000-25,000) with only one other strip recorded. Penang usages include a 2a. pair on 18th December entire to Bordeaux which is a very early date as the 2 annas were only issued in the Straits Settlements sometime at the end of November (est. S$20,000-25,000). From Singapore is a previously unrecorded 1855 entire to Mauritius bearing two ½a. pairs, two singles, a 1a. and 4a. (est. S$30,000-40,000). This is a remarkable three value franking and the only 1854 issue cover recorded to Mauritius.

The later India period with the 1855-65 Typographed issues also includes some remarkable frankings, the best of which is an 1861 entire from Penang to Boston, USA bearing ½a., 1a., 2a. pair and single and 4a. (est. S$8,000-10,000), and 1860 entire from Singapore to Glasgow bearing 8a. with 4a. black single and diagonal bisect illustrating the 14a. per ½oz. rate to the UK (est. S$25,000-30,000).

In the stamp period from 1867 there is much of interest. In the First issue there five covers including an 1868 envelope from Singapore to Liverpool bearing 8c. on 2a. and 24c. on 8a. in combination with Second issue 12c., this colourful three colour franking is the only recorded example of the 44c. rate to the UK via Marseilles (est. S$10,000-12,000). The 1867-72 Second issues includes a fine array of die proofs as well as some interesting usages on cover. Other highlights include an 1884 8c. on 12c. blue used on cover from Singapore to Germany (est. S$4,000-5000), 1884 (Aug.) “8” in red on 8c. in blue  on 12c. dull purple mint (est. S$10,000-12,000), 1906-12 $100 and $500 die proofs of the frames (est. S$4,000-5000 each), and a magnificent mint 1921-33 Script watermark $500 from the lower left corner with plate number (est. S$70,000-80,000).

Other parts of the Joseph Wong Choon Wing collection include some Malayan States, Brunei and Sarawak. The Trengganu includes a previously unrecorded 1921 Script watermark 1c.green perforated colour trial. The only other known examples of these colour trials were in the famous collection formed by Dr. Wood which was sold in 1964.

Following the Joseph Wong collection, the sale resumes with Straits Settlements. Of particular note here are two previously unrecorded items. The first is an 1867 First issue mint corner block of the 6c. on 2a. (est. S$15,000-20,000) and a magnificent cover from Malacca. This 1871 cover to London bears a franking of First issue 24c. on 8a. in combination Second issue 2c. and 4c. cancelled “B/109”. This is only of only two (both from the same correspondence) recorded mixed issue covers from Malacca (est. S$50,000-60,000). One other notable Straits Settlements lot is the 1921 Script watermark $500 block of four reconstructed from two pairs and with each stamp overprinted “SPECIMEN” (est. S$20,000-25,000).

Following on there is a magnificent collection of Straits Settlements Revenue stamps in 76 lots. The Revenues include die proofs, plate proofs, Specimens/Cancelled as well as issued stamps for the Foreign Bill, Judicial, Marine Policies, Receipt Stamps and Revenue Stamps issues. However, the highlight of this section, and undoubtedly of the sale, is the lot containing the essays for the 1866 Provisional issue. Included in this lot are twenty-nine items with either the “STRAITS/SETTLEMENTS” overprint, or the “Crown” overprint in either black, blue or red (est. S$250,000-300,000). The only other known examples are in the collection of Her Majesty The Queen.

In the Malayan States section there is a fine group of Federated Malay States which includes proofs, specimens and issued stamps including the three mint $25. Johore has a fascinating section of outward and inward mail to Majeedi Detention Camp. This camp was used during the 1949 “Malayan Emergency”. The biggest State section is Trengganu. Included here is a superb 1910 50c. composite essay ex the Dr. Wood collection (est. S$10,000-12,000), a splendid array of die proofs for both the 1910 and 1921 issues, Red Cross issue with varieties, Postage Dues with a complete set of die proofs (est. S$3,000-4,000), covers and cancellations from 1913-63, Japanese Occupation issues including the rare $50 mint (est. S$20,000-25,000) and a good run of the Thai Occupation issues.

The issues of Singapore include many errors, the most spectacular of which is 1962-66 10c. strip of ten, the right hand pair of which has the black colour completely omitted (est. S$4,000-5,000).

The sale concludes with a very fine section of Thailand stamps. Included are three collections bought in 1966 left virtually intact. The 1889-99 surcharges are well represented, the best of which is an 1889-91 1a. (S.G. Type 16) on 3a. mint (est. S$6,000-7,000). In the latter issues there is an unmounted mint set of the 1899 rejected dies (est. S$6,000-8,000) and 1902 2a. on 3a. and 10a. on 12a. mint Battambang Provisionals (est.S$3,000-4000 each).

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About Spink

Spink is the world’s leading auctioneer of coins, stamps, medals and banknotes.  Since its foundation in 1666, the Spink name has become synonymous with tradition, experience and integrity. Holder of three royal warrants and numerous records for prices achieved at auction, Spink offers an unparalleled range of services to collectors worldwide.  Spink is headquartered in London and holds over 35 auctions a year around the globe.  In June 2006 Spink shattered the world record for a British Coin sold at auction with the sale of the Double Leopard Gold Coin for a staggering £460,000.

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