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x 1/2d. (4), 1d. (2), 2d., 3d. (2), 4d. and 1/- corner blocks of four, 1/2d. (2), 4d., 6d., 1/- and 2/6d. marginal singles and 2d. corner pair, all with plate numbers, one 1d. block and the 2d. pair with dot after plate number and used to distinguish between the double plates of sixty that De La Rue prepared for these two values; fine mint and generally unmounted. A scarce group with the "dot" plate numbers not apparently previously reported £100-120
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x 1/2d. green and 1d. carmine complete sheets of sixty (10x6), the 1d. showing dot after plate number, fresh unused without gum; scarce multiples £50-70
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x 2/6d. block of four, 5/- (two, one a little toned) and 10/- (2), mint with all but one 5/- unmounted, and 5/- and 10/- used. Cat. £651 £150-200
| Covers | |
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x A range (19, six registered) bearing a variety of values to 6d. at a selection of different rates, largely from Mbabane and with others from Bremersdorp (2), Mankaiana (2), Mooihoek and Piggs Peak, included are use of Official envelopes (5), one to Germany with "Officially Opened for Customs Exchange Control" labels, and a postcard to Lisbon at 1 1/2d.; also 1936 South Africa red on yellow Parcel Post label from Piggs Peak to Wolmaranstad bearing 4d. and 6d. A generally fine and attractive group £250-300
| The Official Overprints | |
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x 1/2d. green, 1d. carmine, 2d. brown and 6d. bright purple, the set of four represented by corner examples, pristine unmounted mint with each initialled "AD" in pencil on reverse of the stamps. An exceptionally rare and outstanding set, being one of only four sets known and the sole set of corner examples recorded B.P.A. Certificate (1995). Photo £30,000-35,000
Note: In 1934 the Administrations of Basutoland and Swaziland arranged for 1/2d., 1d., 2d. and 6d. duties of their current issue to be overprinted "official" by the Union Government Printer in Pretoria, for use on official correspondence. When the Secretary of State for the Colonies in London heard about these issues, which had not been authorised, instructions were given to withdraw those stamps. While in Basutoland a total of 137 stamps had already been used from 24 May until 25 June 1934, in Swaziland it was stated that only two or three letters to the Colonial Office in London had been franked with these "official" overprints, however none has ever been found.
At the time that these overprints were withdrawn and destroyed it was rumoured that four sets of the Swaziland overprints had escaped destruction. Of the Basutoland overprints a block of four of each duty had been presented to King George V for his collection, however he did not receive a similar set of the Swaziland issue
For an extensive write-up on these fascinating stamps see handbook, pages 229-232
Provenance:
Harmer Rooke, November 1964
S.G. Auctions, May 1968
| 1935 Silver Jubilee Issue | |
Specimen Stamps | |
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x 1d. to 6d. set of four, each perforated "specimen" (B9), mint; gum with fractional toning in places. Cat. £140 £60-80
| Issued Stamps | |
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x A selection of multiples comprising 1d. (3) and 3d. blocks of four, 2d. lower right corner block of ten (2x5), 2d., 3d. and 6d. upper left corner blocks of twelve (3x4) from Plate 4, each with R4.3 Blotchy line, 3d. and 6d. lower right corner vertical strips of three and 6d. upper left corner vertical pair with Short extra flagstaff; generally fine mint. Also two Official envelopes registered from Mbabane £200-250
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x A selection of large multiples, comprising 1d. blocks of 8, 42, 52 and a complete sheet (Plate 6?), 2d. blocks of 12, 18 (2) and 30, 3d. blocks of 14, 26 and 42, and 6d. block of 46 and a complete sheet; several with gum a little toned though a useful group for further study. Cat. £800+ £100-120
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x 1d. to 6d. set of four in lower left corner blocks of four from Plate 1, the upper left stamp in each showing Extra flagstaff, fine mint with most of the stamps remaining unmounted. S.G. 21a-24a, £700+ £250-300
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x 1d. to 6d. in upper right corner blocks of six (3x2) from Plate 3, R2.5 in each showing Lightning conductor, fine mint with the variety in each remaining unmounted; small piece of 6d. corner margin missing. S.G. 21c-24c, £940+. Photo for 1d. £400-500
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x 1d. marginal blocks of four from Plates 5 and 6 showing Flagstaff on right-hand turret and Double flagstaff, 2d., 3d. and 6d. lower left corner blocks of four from Plate 4 with R10.2 in each showing aerial which Ainscough reports as constant on 1d. only; fine mint and nearly all unmounted. S.G. 21d, 21e, etc., £260+ £140-180
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x 1d. and 2d. upper left corner blocks of four and 6d. upper left corner block of twelve (2x6), all from Plate 3 with R2.2 showing Two swans which Ainscough reports was only constant on the 6d. value; fine unmounted mint £100-120
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x 2d. and 3d. upper left corner blocks of four and 6d. single, all from Plate 2 showing short extra flagstaff, 2d. and 3d. marginal block of four both showing R8.6 vertical line, fine mint. S.G. 22b, 23b, etc., £320+ £150-180
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x 2d. upper right corner block of eighteen (3x6) from Plate 3, R2.5 with Lightning conductor and R6.6 with Scribed line by value tablet, and 3d. upper left corner block of twelve (2x6) from Plate 1, R6. with Two dots above "s" of "swaziland" and R3.2 with faint mast, fine mint £80-100
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x 6d. marginal block of four from the left of the sheet, variety vignette misplaced 1 1/2mm. to left leaving a white area between right edge of vignette and oval surround to King's portrait, fine unmounted mint. Unusual £100-120
| 1937 Coronation Issue | |
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x 1d., 2d. and 3d., each perforated "specimen", fine mint £60-80
| 1938-54 Definitive Issue | |
Head Proofs | |
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x Three-quarter profile in rectangular background engraved by Bohumil Heinz, in black on wove paper (40x40mm.) with "zkusmytisk" handstamp on reverse. This die was rejected. Photo £250-300
Note: Bohumil Heinz was a Czechoslovakian engraver employed by De La Rue
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x Three-quarter profile in oval background, in black on wove paper (24x31mm.). Photo £250-300
Note: This head, without "decorations", was rejected for this issue though it was used for the 1938 Kenya issue
| Imperforate Proofs | |
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x 4d. orange vertical pair on thin unwatermarked ungummed paper; lower stamp with a couple of small faults at foot though very rare with only two other examples known to the owner. Photo £300-400
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x 2/6d. purple lower left corner block of four on thin unwatermarked ungummed paper and without ruled security lines, large part manuscript "Wrong Colour" in margin. Photo £250-300
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x 2/6d. purple marginal block of six with plate number "1" and small part imprint, on thin unwatermarked ungummed paper with ruled security lines on both sides of the paper, accompanied by an adjoining single in a paler with part imprint and without the security lines, suggesting a successful attempt to remove the lines. Photo £400-500
| Specimen Stamps | |
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x 1/2d. to 10/- set of eleven in corner or marginal strips of three, the 2d., 3d., 4d. and 6d. with plate number and small part imprint, all perforated "specimen" (D20), unused with traces of gum in places. A very rare set in such multiples. Photo £400-500
Provenance: Dr. Conrad Latto, March 1997
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x 1/2d. to 10/- set of eleven, each perforated "specimen" (D20), fine mint. Cat. £300 £100-120
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x 1/2d. to 10/- set of eleven, each perforated "specimen" (D20), fine mint. Cat. £300 £100-120
| Issued Stamps | |
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x A mint collection comprising perf. 13 1/2x13 sets (5, three unmounted) and with a range of additional shades to 5/- (10); some a little gum toned though of fine appearance £150-200
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x 1/2d. to 10/- perf. 13 1/2x14 set of eleven and 1947 Royal Visit set of four, all mounted in 1947 Paris U.P.U. Congress presentation folder; fine £50-70
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x 1/2d. to 1/- selection of corner blocks of four with plate number, comprising perf. 13 1/2x13 1d. (2), 2d. (2) and 3d., and perf. 13 1/2x14 1/2d. (2), 1d. (2), 1 1/2d. (4), 2d. (3), 3d., 4d. (2), 6d. (3) and 1/-, shades, fine unmounted mint £100-120
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x 1/2d. to 6d. range of perf. 13 1/2x14 multiples, largely with imprint and/or plate number, comprising 1/2d. complete sheets (2) and blocks of four, eight (3) and fourteen (4), 1d. complete sheet and blocks of four (3), six and eight (5), 1 1/2d. complete sheet and blocks of four (3), eight (3) and fourteen (perf. 14), 2d. strip of four and blocks of four (2), eight (4) and fourteen (2), 3d. blocks of four (3), eight and fourteen (3), some noted as the scarce light ultramarine, and 6d. blocks of eight and nine, shades; fine unmounted mint £150-200
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x 6d. small study of the printings originally formed by Bill Bowden, comprising perf. 13 1/2x13 (2) and perf. 13 1/2x14 (9) singles from a range of printings between 1938 and 1954, and perf. 13 1/2x14 imprint blocks of eight, corner plate blocks of four and marginal vertical pairs (to show paper and gum) from 1943, 1945, 1948 and 1954 printings; fine mint £150-200
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x 5/- small study of the printings originally formed by Bill Bowden, comprising perf. 13 1/2x13 and perf. 13 1/2x14 (7) from printings between 1938 and 1952, fine mint £150-200
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x 5/- and 10/- perf. 13 1/2x13 imprint block of eight, unmounted mint; gum a fraction toned though an impressive pair. S.G. 37, 37, £1,160+. Photo £250-300
| Covers | |
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x 1938-53 range (34, two registered and three Times of Swaziland wrappers) bearing a variety of values to 2/6d. with one bearing 4d. light ultramarine strip of three, a range of frankings with ten to North America, over half from Bremersdorp or Mbabane, other towns include Emlembe, Golela (just over the border), Hlatikulu, Kubuta and Mankaiana, one used twice and one redirected internally; generally fine and an interesting group £250-300
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x 1939 (26 Sept.) envelope from Bremersdorp to Johannesburg, franked at 3d. (1d. plus 2d. Railway Letter fee) cancelled by "sar&h" oval datestamp and bearing, on reverse, Railway Letter Post T.110 label similarly cancelled, and 1949 (Jan.) envelope from Mbabane to Pretoria, franked at 4 1/2d. (1d. overpaid) cancelled by bi-lingual "road motor services" boxed datestamp and with Cloakroom Passenger Agent dated cachet on reverse. A very rare pair. Photo £120-150
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x 1941-45 World War II related selection (15) including items to Holland, Switzerland (2) and U.S.A. (8, one franked at 4/-), all censored, two with A.P.O. c.d.s. and one unstamped from a serviceman in the No. 4 Mobile Transport Unit at Pretoria to Mbabane with arrival c.d.s. An unusual group £200-250
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x 1943-53 selection (9, mostly ex the Mrs. Hall correspondence) cancelled by Telegraph/Telephone rubber datestamps, comprising those of Lismore (2), Lubuli, Mhlumeni (stamp cancelled by Police handstamp), Nsoko (2), Singceni and Sipofaneni Bridge (2, one cancelled by Police handstamp); see handbook pages 272/3. A scarce group £200-250
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x 1947, 1949 and 1952 envelopes from Maloma franked at 1/2d. or 2d., all cancelled by Telegraph oval datestamp, the first in a perished state in blue, the last two (one a window type to Mankaiana and redirected to Mbabane) quite readable. An interesting and unusual trio £80-100
| 1946 Victory Issue | |
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x 1d. brown and carmine lower right corner "arrow" block of eight (4x2), R.10/4 with part of printing and overprint on top of a piece of selvedge inclusion, fine unmounted mint; see handbook page 261. A unique variety for this issue. Photo £250-300
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x 1d. brown and carmine marginal block of four from the right of the sheet with part "arrow", R.3/6 with barbed wire flaw, variety overprint 2 1/2mm. low, and a single with interpanneau margin at top, variety incomplete printing of frame at top, fine unmounted mint; see handbook page 261. A most unusual pair £200-250
| 1947 Royal Visit Issue | |
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x 1d. die proof of the King's portrait, in black on wove paper. Very rare. Photo £150-200
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x 1d. to 1/- set of four, each perforated "specimen" (W9), fine mint £80-100
| 1948 Royal Silver Wedding | |
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x 10/- purple-brown, perforated "specimen" (B9), fresh without gum and handstamped "b.w. archives" on reverse. Unique. Also a mint set. Photo £800-1,000
Provenance: Christie's Robson Lowe, July 1987
| 1956 Definitive Issue | |
Specimen Stamps | |
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x 1/2d. to £1 set of twelve, each perforated "specimen" (B9), fresh without gum. The unique set ex the Bradbury, Wilkinson archive. Photo £1,000-1,200
Note: For the Revenue £5 stamp which was prepared at the same time see lot 1365
Provenance:
Christie's Robson Lowe, April 1993
| Issued Stamps | |
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x 1/2d. to £1 set of twelve unmounted mint, used, and two further sets on different size first day covers registered from Mbabane. Cat. £315 £80-100
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x 5/- deep lilac and slate-black upper left corner block of four, the upper left stamp showing guide punch hole "confetti" flaw, neatly cancelled by Mbabane C.T.R. No. 1 c.d.s.; accompanied by the piece that caused the flaw and a 1963 letter from Bradbury, Wilkinson giving the reason for the variety and apologising for its "occurrence" Photo £150-200
| Covers | |
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x 1956-69 selection for this (8) and subsequent (18) issues, ten registered and with a variety of interesting frankings including one to South Africa at 4d. resulting in the 3 1/2c. overprint, see handbook page 288; also Parcel Post label (date unclear) bearing 2d. (2), 6d., 2/6d., 5/- and 10/-, defects though very rare. An interesting group with several illustrated in the handbook, pages 319-320, 332 £80-100
| 1961 Decimal Surcharge Issue | |
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x A mint collection principally neatly mounted and written-up on thirteen pages, all values represented, largely in multiples up to thirty with a number from the lower two rows of the sheet having imprint and plate numbers, comprising 1/2c. on 1/2d. (20), 1c. on 1d. (15 with a strip of five showing slanting surcharge across the row), 2c. on 2d. (18 with a strip of six showing slanting surcharge across the row), 2 1/2c. on 2d. (13 with a used single showing surcharge misplaced to foot), 2 1/2c. on 3d. (72 including a block of thirty from the top of the sheet with several minor varieties and one strip of six with slanting surcharge across the row), 3 1/2c. on 2d. (16), 4c. on 4d. pairs of both types, 5c. on 6d. (13), 10c. on 1/- (20 with double row from foot of sheet with imprint and plate numbers, one with surcharge set low and three with variety split foot to "1"), 25c. on 2/6d. Types I and II blocks of ten, 50c. on 5/- (21 with Type II block of twelve), R1 on 10/- (25 with Type I and II blocks of twelve and a marginal Type III), and R2 on £1 Type I block of eight and Type II (middle left) block of twelve (two with "thin" surcharges), nearly all unmounted mint. A most attractive group. Cat. £1,150+ £300-400
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x 1/2c. on 1/2d. black and orange marginal block of four from the top of the sheet, variety surcharge inverted, hinge mark in the margin, the stamps remaining unmounted mint; a rare multiple from the sole sheet recorded and accompanied by a further marginal block of four with forged surcharge inverted variety. R.P.S. Certificate (2001) for the genuine block, together with a photograph of the sheet (less three stamps). B.P.A. Certificate (1979) for the forged block. S.G. 65a, £6,000+. Photo £2,800-3,000
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x 1c. on 1d. black and green upper left corner block of four, variety surcharge double, fine unmounted mint. A rare multiple from the sole sheet recorded. R.P.S. Certificate (2001) together with a photograph of the complete sheet. S.G. 66a, £6,800+. Photo £2,800-3,000
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x 1c. on 1d. black and green lower right corner imprint/plate number block of six (3x2) with trial surcharge, fine unmounted mint. Cat. £300+. Photo £150-200
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x 1c. on 1d. black and green with trial surcharge, an upper right corner example, unmounted mint, and a marginal example from the left of the sheet with small part c.d.s.; the latter scarce £100-120
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