Auction Details - AUCTION ALREADY HELD
The J. E. Safra Collection of Classic Great Britain Rarities
Auctioneer: Spink Location: 69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4ET
Contact: Tel: +44 (0)20 7563 4000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7563 4066
Date: 15th May 2014 Time: 2:00PM
Details: Viewing in London
Monday 12 May 2014, 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday 13 May 2014, 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Private viewing by appointment only
Page: 1   2  
Auction Lots - Page 1

Treasury Competition Essays

1001
x James Chalmers Treasury Registration 22799/39: 1839 1d. circular essay in red on white paper, affixed to front of envelope, annotated "22799/39", the essay cancelled by straight line "used" and with "DUNDEE/Oct. 7, 39" alongside, fine and exceptionally rare £18,000-20,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1993
James Chalmers is an important figure in the history of the development of the postage stamp. He was a bookseller and publisher in Dundee and had spent many years campaigning for improvements to the postal service. It is claimed that he first proposed the idea of an adhesive label as early as 1834. For a long time there was a heated debate as to whom should be given the accolade of the inventor of the postage stamp, Rowland Hill or James Chalmers. Today the development of postage stamps is considered a process of general refinement with no single person responsible. However, the idea of a datestamp to cancel the stamps could well have originated from Chalmers ideas. He produced three designs each of 1d. and 2d. adhesive wafers which were affixed to wrappers and cancelled with the straight-line dated postmark. The first proposal was cancelled with a date of "sept.24, 39.". The second, with the two-line postmark dated "sept.30, 39.". The final group cancelled as the lot above, "used" with the Dundee datestamp, "oct.7, 39."

Treasury Competition Essays

1002
x George Dickinson Treasury Registration 20415/39: A hand drawn essay in pen and ink, showing "VR" in a Crown with the words "ONE" above and "PENNY" below with "POST" and "OFFICE" at right and left respectively, large margins and with hole at top centre which would have had a wax seal placed over it to affix the wafer to an envelope; a fine and most attractive essay of great rarity. £18,000-20,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1993
1003
x Charles Whiting: A sheet affixed with five oval essays annotated "6th. May" and "Experiments for the Treasury", comprising two examples of a flat printing used as an example for the "postage one penny" legend, two examples of an embossed type without lettering (one being struck in blue, the other in black), another embossed type but with lettering, struck in blue, the sheet with annotations in the hand of William Wyon, mounted on board. A fine and highly important selection, unique in private hands £25,000-40,000
Provenance: "Tes", October 1995

1840 "Rainbow" Colour trialS

1004
x 1840 "Rainbow" Colour trial 1d. state 2, block of four from the upper left corner of the sheet, printed in red-brown on fully gummed, white wove paper; some surface abrasions on two stamps, as a result of tests, fine and extremely rare. Specialised DP20a £4,000-5,000
These trials are extremely rare on gummed paper, possibly only one sheet was gummed
Provenance: Phillips, Postage Stamps of Great Britain, April 1994

1840 Mulready

One Penny Envelope

1005
x A141, Used on First day of Issue additionally franked 1d. Black, Plate 1a, HG, touched at top, large margins other sides, tied by red Maltese Cross, addressed to Montrose N.B. and with "T.P/Holloway Rd" handstamp alongside, clear London "C/MY-6/1840" d.s. on reverse flap at side, which opens perfectly for display; fine and highly attractive.
A superb exhibition item of great rarity of which only six are recorded in "May Dates" £50,000-70,000
Literature: "May Dates" by Mike Jackson
Provenance: Phillips, Fine Rare and Unusual Stamps & Covers, November 1994

1840 Mulready

Two Pence Letter Sheets

1006
x a92, addressed to Malta and additionally franked 1840 1d. Penny Plate 1a PB and PC (close to large margins) and 1840 Two Pence blue Plate 1 PC-PF horizontal strip of four (PE and PF touched or cut into at top, PE with wrinkle), to make to 1/- letter sheet rate to Malta, red Maltese Cross and black pen stroke cancellations, on reverse red Charing Cross Maltese Cross datestamp of 9 May 1840. Written inside is the following note: "I enclose a few of the new Post Stamps which are to be stuck on letters. They may be a Novelty in Malta". An outstanding and very important exhibition item combining early overseas use and franking dated only three days after the first official day of usage £80,000-100,000
Note: This item is illustrated on page 62 of "Penny Postage Centenary" by Samuel Graveson and was noted as a new discovery in Godden's Gazette of March 1936.
Provenance: Phillips, Fine Stamps, November 1996

1840 One Penny Black

Postal Notice

1007
x GA-HA vertical pair (GA constant variety), affixed to 1840 (April) Postal Notice "TO ALL POSTMASTERS" advising of the imminent despatch of the new postage stamps and stationery envelopes, a light bend crosses HA and the notice folded at foot, fine and extremely rare with only a very few in private hands, a superb frontis piece and a must have for any world class line-engraved exhibit. Specialised PN1, £150,000 £35,000-40,000
Provenance: "Daisy", October 1996

1840 One Penny Black

Plate Ia

Imprimaturs

1008
x TB, Before hardening, large balanced margins, unused without gum as always. Superb and very rare. B.P.A. Certificate (1993). Specialised £28,000 £8,000-10,000
Note: Only twenty-four examples were taken from the registration sheet
Provenance: Harmers, Important Stamps and Covers of the World, December 1993
1009
x TJ, Before hardening, unused without gum as always; a superb example. Specialised £28,000 £8,000-10,000
Note: Only twenty-four examples were taken from the registration sheet
Provenance: "Durham", November 1993
1010
x TJ After hardening, large balanced margins, unused without gum as always; superb and rare. Specialised £28,000 £8,000-10,000
Note: Only twenty-five examples were taken from the registration sheet
Provenance: "Durham", November 1993
1011
x TK (T clearly double and without ray flaw), from the foot of the sheet with inscription "...reful not to remo..." and clear to large margins other sides, usual marginal fold and a trifle soiled. Apparently the only 1d. black imprimatur with a marginal inscription in private hands from this plate £8,000-10,000
Provenance: Christies Robson Lowe, Important Stamps and Covers of the World, May 1992

1840 One Penny Black

Plate Ia

Used on the First Day of Issue

ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLES

1012
x IL, good to very large even margins all round and showing a portion of the adjoining stamp at foot, tied by a crisp red Maltese Cross to entire (no side flaps), dated May 6 1840, addressed to Lothbury with framed "T.P./Gt. Portland St." alongside, clear red d.s. on reverse, a most attractive example of the rare first day of official usage of which this is amongst the very few finest of the eighty-six recorded examples in "May Dates". Specialised from £160,000 £35,000-50,000
Literature: "May Dates" by Mike Jackson
Provenance: Robert Cole, September 1986
H. Reck, November 1994
1013
x ML, grey-black shade, good to large margins all round, tied by two strikes of the red Maltese Cross to entire letter from London to Hull with a good strike of "B/MY-6/1840" first official day of use datestamp on reverse; a minute surface scuff in the margin only at upper right (described as a crease on the accompanying B.P.A. Certificate 1996).
An exceptional and highly attractive example of this great rarity which is amongst the very few finest of the eighty-six recorded examples in "May Dates". Specialised from £160,000 £40,000-60,000
Literature: "May Dates" by Mike Jackson
Provenance: A. Clayton, March 1960
"Durham", November 1994
L. Manzi, May 1997

1840 ONE PENNY BLACK

Plate Ia

Mint

1014
x NH, intense black early impression, good to large margins all round, part original gum, fine and rare. R.P.S. Certificate (1994) £3,000-4,000
Provenance: N. Howard, November 1994
1015
x TA-TB horizontal pair in a grey-black shade, from the foot of the sheet with inscription "PRICE 1d. Per Label. 1/- Per Row" and large margins other sides, unused without gum, small natural inclusion at right, fine. A marvellous and highly attractive pair £8,000-10,000
Provenance: Phillips, Specialised Great Britain, December 1993

Used

1016
x AI grey-black shade, BD and FL, all with large margins and red Maltese Cross cancellations; fine £500-600
Provenance: Phillips, Specialised Great Britain, December 1993
1017
x AI, large margins all round, tied by a crisp, light red Maltese Cross cancellation, on entire letter, dated 11 May 1840, with Hastings double-ring c.d.s. across flap on reverse; a few minor cover faults, fine £500-600
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1018
x AJ-AK horizontal pair, good to very large margins all round, tied by two upright red Maltese Cross cancellations to entire letter, used within London, dated 7 May 1840 with boxed d.s. and "T.P./Chief Office" on reverse; vertical filing fold well clear of the adhesives, fine. A very rare second day of official usage entire. Specialised £20,000 £6,000-8,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1019
x FH, a delicate worn impression with large to very large margins all round and showing a small portion of the adjoining stamp at right, tied by a crisp red Maltese Cross cancellation, on entire letter, dated 31 May 1840 (fourth Sunday), locally addressed and with Gateshead c.d.s. on reverse; a few minor cover faults. Rare. Specialised £13,000 £4,000-5,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1020
x IJ, good to very large margins all round, tied by red Maltese Cross cancellation in a chocolate-brown shade, to envelope, dated 7 May 1840, addressed to Adelphi, boxed datestamp on reverse, opening well for display and with step type "T.P./Kentish Town" handstamp alongside; a few minor cover faults though a most attractive second day of official use cover. Specialised £20,000 £4,000-5,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1021
x JE, large margins all round, tied by a light red Maltese Cross cancellation, on entire, dated 10 May 1840, addressed to London, red double-ring Liverpool d.s. on reverse; the entire with spike hole well clear of the adhesive and other minor covers faults. A most attractive and rare first Official Sunday usage. Specialised £65,000 £10,000-12,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1022
x KH, a wonderfully clear early impression with large and balanced margins on all sides, tied by red Maltese Cross cancellation, to entire, dated 12 May 1840, addressed to Preston, London datestamp on reverse, fine and rare £1,000-1,200
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1023
x OH, good to very large margins all round and showing a portion of the adjoining stamp at right, tied by red Maltese Cross cancellation on entire, dated 24 May 1840, addressed to Preston, red Liverpool d.s. on reverse; fine and a rare third Sunday usage. Specialised £14,000 £2,500-3,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1024
x QI, close though clear at lower left, otherwise good to large margins all round, tied to small piece by Inspector's "Crutched Cross" and by "ship letter/(crown)/ju-4/1840/london" both struck in red; quite exceptional. R.P.S. Certificate (1987) £3,000-4,000
Note: It is considered that this was part of an inland bound letter, probably addressed to King William Street in the City of London
Provenance: N. Howard, November 1994
1025
x QI, good to large margins all round, tied by crisp and upright red Maltese Cross cancellation, on entire letter, dated 18 May 1840, addressed to London with clear d.s. on reverse; small cover faults though a most attractive May date cover. Specialised £2,800 £600-800
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1026
x TK, large balanced margins all round, tied to piece dated 27 May 1840, by a fine ruby red Maltese Cross cancellation. Most attractive and rare. £400-500
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994

Plate Ib

Used

1027
x AL (constant variety scratch through L square), late printing, from the top of the sheet with inscription "...ve the Cement." and good to large margins other sides, light red Maltese Cross cancellation in a pink shade, fine. R.P.S. Certificate (1991) £800-1,000
Provenance: Phillips, Specialised Great Britain, December 1993
1028
x DJ, good to very large margins all round, tied by an offset Bolton datestamp in red to entire addressed to Chorley, dated 3 June 1840; the entire with some faults and filing creases, some of which cross the stamp. Rare and attractive. R.P.S. Certificate (1985) which does not mention the faults £1,000-1,200
Provenance: N. Howard, November 1994
1029
x FJ-FK, horizontal pair with good to very large margins all round, pale magenta Maltese Cross cancellations; very fine. Also Plate 6, MH, large margins, similarly cancelled. Fine £500-600
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1030
x QG (recut sidelines), good to very large margins all round, crisp upright and practically complete red Maltese Cross cancellation in an orange vermilion shade, also Plate 2 QI, good to very large margins all round, on entire, dated 29 June 1840, from Gloucester to Truro and Plate 5, JE, good to large margins all round (corner crease at upper left), on entire, dated 7 Oct. 1840 from Cheltenham to Shipston on Stour, each with similarly coloured Maltese Cross cancellations; fine £800-1,200
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994

Plate II

Imprimaturs

1031
x SG, from the first registration sheet, good margins all round, unused without gum as always, fine and rare. Twenty-three stamps removed from the registration sheet. R.P.S. Certificate (1994). Specialised £32,000 £5,000-7,000
Provenance: N. Howard, November 1994
1032
x TJ, taken from the second registration sheet, good to large margins all round, unused without gum as always, fine and rare. Twenty-three stamps removed from the registration sheet. Specialised £32,000 £8,000-10,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1993
1033
x TJ, taken from the first registration sheet, large margins all round and showing a trace of the adjoining stamp at top, unused without gum as always, very fine. Twenty-three stamps removed from the registration sheet. Specialised £32,000 £15,000-20,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1993

Mint

1034
x IK-IL horizontal pair from the right of the sheet with inscription "....the labels ABOVE th...." and record margins other sides, showing trace of adjoining stamp lower right, almost full original gum, some slight natural creasing and small marginal stain. A very rare and highly desirable multiple. R.P.S. Certificate (1985). Specialised £55,000 £15,000-18,000
Provenance: Christies Robson Lowe, Important Stamps and Covers of the World, May 1992
1035
x TC-TF, State 2, horizontal strip of four from the foot of the sheet with inscription ".... of 12. £1..... Per Sheet. Place the Labels ABOVE the Addrefs and to....", slightly cut into at right but good to very large margins other sides, showing strong burr rubs and doubling of the inscription, unused with much original gum, TC with small nick at upper left, some creases, fine and a remarkable multiple of considerable rarity £15,000-18,000
Provenance: N. Howard, November 1994

Plate II

Used

1036
x CC, good to large margins all round, tied by black Maltese Cross cancellation to entire, dated 10 Sept. 1840, addressed to Carlisle, on reverse boxed Longtown d.s.; light horizontal filing fold at foot, fine and unusual experimental use of the Maltese Cross in black, examples on mail outside London are rare £400-500
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1037
x ED, good to very large margins all round and showing portions of adjoining stamps at left and right, tied by a purple-brown Maltese Cross cancellation of Newton Stewart to entire letter, dated 24 Oct. 1840, addressed to Edinburgh, with matching boxed Newtonstewart d.s. in the same colour as the Maltese Cross on reverse; vertical filing fold, well clear of the adhesive and other minor cover faults, otherwise fine and rare £1,200-1,500
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1038
x JE, slightly close at upper left but large to very large margins all round, tied by a black Maltese Cross cancellation, which leaves to Queen's profile clear, on entire, dated 2 Sept. 1840, addressed to Euston Place, "T.P./Ebury St." alongside; a fine and scarce experimental use of the Maltese Cross in black £400-500
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1039
x MH, good to large margins all round, cancelled by a fine and practically complete strike of the distinctive Stonehaven double-lined Maltese Cross in red; fine and very rare. Specialised A1uf, £4,500 £500-600
Provenance: Harmers of London, Important Stamps and Covers of the World, January 1994
1040
x NB, good to very large margins all round, tied by a red Maltese Cross cancellation in an orange-brown shade, to entire letter, dated 3 Nov. 1840, addressed to Leslie, on reverse "kircaldy/3 nov/1840" d.s.; vertical filing fold well clear of the adhesive, fine. Also Plate 6, NA, good to very large margins with a similarly coloured Maltese Cross cancellation £100-120
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1041
x NG, good to very large margins all round and showing a portion of the adjoining stamp at foot, tied by a crisp and upright red Maltese Cross cancellation on entire letter, dated 17 May 1840, addressed to Henley in Arden, on reverse Worcester d.s.; the entire with light and unobtrusive horizontal filing fold well clear of the adhesive, which has a small scissor-cut, clear of the design at lower right. A fine example of this rare second official Sunday usage. B.P.A. Certificate (1986). Specialised £15,000 £2,000-2,500
Provenance: N. Howard, November 1994
1042
x QJ, large margins all round and showing a trace of the adjoining stamp at right, tied by a "dirty brownish-yellow" Maltese Cross cancellation, to entire letter, dated 5 Dec. 1840, addressed to Dundee, on reverse boxed "anstruther" d.s. in the same colour as the Maltese Cross; fine. B.P.A. Certificate (1965) £800-1,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1043
x RA, good to enormous margins all round, tied by red Maltese Cross cancellation, on envelope, dated 21 May 1840, addressed to Soho Square; a few minor faults, otherwise fine £300-400
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1044
x RJ, good to large margins all round, tied by red Maltese Cross cancellation, on entire, dated 14 May 1840, addressed to Leigh, Sevenoaks double-ring d.s. on the front, a few minor cover faults, otherwise fine £500-600
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994
1045
x SK, good to large margins all round and showing a portion of the adjoining stamp at left, tied by two strikes of the red Maltese Cross on entire (no side flaps), dated 26 May 1840, addressed to London, double-ring Manchester d.s. on reverse (opening well for display); vertical filing fold well clear of the adhesive, fine £400-500
Provenance: "Durham", November 1994

Plate III

Imprimatur

1046
x TJ, good to large margins all round, unused without gum as always, fine and fresh. Only twenty-three stamps removed from the registration sheet. Specialised £42,000 £8,000-10,000
Provenance: "Durham", November 1993

Used

1047
x TE-TH horizontal pair (TE constant variety), large margins all round, tied by red Maltese Cross cancellations, to entire, dated 31 Dec. 1840, addressed to Manchester, on reverse red double-ring d.s.; central filing crease clear of the adhesives, fine £500-600
Provenance: N. Howard, November 1994

Plate IV

Mint

1048
x IA, from the left of the sheet with marginal inscription "....d side of the Letter...." and large margins other sides, unmounted mint, fresh and fine. A wonderful example of great rarity. B.P.A. Certificate (1987) stating "large part original gum" £8,000-10,000
Provenance: Harmers of London, Important Stamps and Covers of the World, January 1994

Used

1049
x AH, good to large margins all round, tied to piece by practically complete and superb strike of the "camelford" undated circle in red with additional manuscript red cross in in the centre; fine and extremely rare. R.P.S. Certificate (1965) £1,000-1,200
Provenance: "Wills", November 1989
1050
x AI, close to large margins all round, tied by red Maltese Cross cancellation to piece with double-ring "OS" in black and red "c/paid/5 au 5/1840" tombstone alongside, the piece addressed to London and redirected; fine £250-300
Note: It is probable that the extra 1d. charge to redirect the original envelope had not been paid and that the tombstone datestamp indicated that 2d. postage due had been collected
Provenance: N. Howard, November 1994
Auction Details - AUCTION ALREADY HELD
The J. E. Safra Collection of Classic Great Britain Rarities
Auctioneer: Spink Location: 69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4ET
Contact: Tel: +44 (0)20 7563 4000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7563 4066
Date: 15th May 2014 Time: 2:00PM
Details: Viewing in London
Monday 12 May 2014, 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday 13 May 2014, 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Private viewing by appointment only
Page: 1   2