| |
1953 Coronation air letter, initial essays and proofs comprising a pencil drawing of two differing proposed borders for the air letter; proofs in blue with these two differing borders, ungummed and unfolded; and six further proofs showing borders in blue in the two previous types or an alternate red and blue border (2 of each type), all with proposed manuscript alterations, five showing a box at upper right marked "Coronation Stamp", circle at lower left marked "Symbol in 1, 2 or 3 colours" and the addition of the word "Aerogrammes", one handstamped "ESSAYS / H.H. Watts". Also file copies of seven letters sent between McCorquodale & Co. and the Post Office Supplies Dept. between 9th August 1952 and 23rd February 1953 concerning the issue; the first letter reads "We enclose proofs of five different borders for Air Letter forms. Those numbered 1, 4 and 5 would not present any difficulty ....." and apparently refers to the proofs in this lot, two of which are numbered "1" or "5". A unique group. (9 Essays/Proofs + 7 letters). £800-1,000
|
|
|
Die Proofs of the Coronation vignette in black on white glazed paper, one with the "By Air Mail" four line wording alongside the Coronation vignette, the other with it above the vignette as it appears on the issued air letter. A rare pair. (2). Photo on Page 162. £160-200
|
|
| |
Proofs of the coronation vignette in red on white gummed paper or blue paper, the white paper proof a little creased and crudely torn out at left just clear of the printed design, the blue paper proof with a vertical fold just through the design, a rare pair. (2). £160-200
|
|
|
Air letter proofs without the stamp, the reverse with the instructions and space for the senders name and address in an unissued vertical format, one proof unfolded and uncut with the vignette in claret, the other proof with the vignette in blue and red, cut with a curved edge to the flaps, both ungummed. A rare pair. (2). Photo on Page 168. £160-200
|
|
|
Essay Proof air letter with red vignette and with an unissued 6d stamp in claret, the reverse with instructions and space for the senders name and address in an unused vertical format. This unissued 6d stamp was shown in the 1970 book "British Postal Stationery" by Alan Huggins (page 43, essay E48); he recorded it on a proof air letter of the following QEII issue but not on the Coronation air letter. A little creasing and light soiling but an exceptional essay, very rare, possibly unique. Photo on Page 166. £240-300
|
|
| |
Air letter proofs in the issued format but without the 6d stamp, one uncut proof also without the Coronation vignette, three other proofs with the vignette in red. One of these two proofs unfolded and uncut, the other two cut with flaps, one with manuscript instruction for proposed alterations initialled and dated "JK 10.3.53", all ungummed. A rare group, the last unique. (4). £250-300
|
|
| |
Air letter proofs in the issued format but without the 6d stamp, in a complete uncut sheet of eight air letters, the sheet folded with one or more folds going through each air letter. Probably a unique proof sheet. £400-600
|
|
| |
Air letter proof in the issued design, the flaps however smaller and with a different cut to the issued air letter, a "CANCELLED" (52x7mm) handstamp applied to the front, reverse and internal letter page, endorsed "Harrison" on the reverse. A little light creasing and very minor stains, unusual and rare. £100-120
|
|
| |
Uncut proof without the stamp or vignette and a cut proof without the stamp, the vignette in red, both ungummed; the issued air letter with "SPECIMEN" overprint type 13, unused (9) or used (4, three First Day uses). (16). £150-180
| Other QEII Predecimal Air Letters | |
|
   |
1953 6d Air letter stamp, Die Proofs with differing shades of red to the frame and centre, all in the issued design, numbered "1" to "6", all on blue paper. Probably originally on a single sheet but now on three pieces (with 1 and 2 on one piece; 4, 5 and 6 on another and 3 on a separate piece), number 1 marked "Original" and number 6 marked "app'd". A unique group. (6). Photo on Page 164. £1,000-1,500
|
|
| |
1960 6d Air letter proofs, one as AP8 with the first QEII stamp, uncut and unfolded; the other without a stamp cut to shape, both ungummed, the stamped proof with a little creasing but very scarce. (2). £120-150
|
|
| |
1954-70 QEII Definitive issue air letters including first 6d stamp (AP5 or AP6) unused (6) or used (3); second type 6d red stamp (AP7, 9-12) with type 13 "SPECIMEN" overprints (2, AP7 and AP10), unused (23, two type AP10) or used (22, one with 11d Talyllyn Railway stamp); 1957 46th Parliamentary Conference unused (13) or used (2); 9d red stamp unused (12, two with McCorquodale cachets confirming them to be printed on the last day, or the final copy printed) or used (3); 9d blue stamp "SPECIMEN" overprint, unused (20) or used (15), and a photo of an unissued 9d stamp with the aeroplane flying to the right, P.O letters, many wrapper bands and bundle labels, some special cancels and many first day uses. Also 9d air letters of Jersey (23) and Guernsey (32) all unused, and two P.T.P.O forces air letters with embossed 3d stamps. (180+). £200-300
|
|
|
1960 6d Proof air letter, as AP9 but with the second type 6d stamp in an unissued shade of red, the stamp strangely inverted, uncut and ungummed, a couple of light creases, otherwise fine. Very unusual and rare, possibly unique. Photo on Page 168. £180-220
|
|
| |
1954-64 Proofs without the stamps, as AP7 uncut or as AP9 cut to shape; and a proof with the 6d stamp as AP10 unfolded and uncut, all ungummed; also file copies of 14 letters mostly from Post Office Supplies Dept. to McCorquodale regarding alterations to air letters, concerning the wording of the instructions, format or gum, and two delivery notes for specimen air letters. (19). £180-220
|
|
| |
1965 6d Air letters type AP11 with experimental gum, two unfolded air letters with "RES" on right flap (one with small stain), also similar folded air letters with "RES" or "LX409E" on flap both with the stamps cut out, probably done during trials by the printers. About 4,000 were issued in London in 1965; in his 1970 book Huggins stated "I have yet to see an example to establish their existence other than as mutilated forms without stamp impressions". (4) £100-150
|
|
| |
1963 6d Air letters with pictorial views of The Tower of London or Houses of Parliament, proof of the Houses of Parliament design without the 6d stamp and with the black printing omitted, unfolded; copies of the two original photos used for the design; file copies of letters from the Post Office concerning the issue (2) and the warrant for 300,000 of each air letter; press releases (2) and Post Office Notice; Tower of London air letter overprinted "SPECIMEN" type 13; both types overprinted "CANCELLED" type PS1; issued air letters, unused (13, two signed by Governor of The Tower) or used (both types, both first day uses); wrapper bands and bundle labels. An interesting lot, the proof very rare. (27+). £180-240
|
|
| |
1954 Rubber stereo used for printing the G.B air letters, as AP11, with a proof in black on white paper taken from this very stereo, inscribed "Stereo, 11-6-64, RB", also three photos of the air letter printing machine, an interesting and unique group. (5). £150-200
|
|
| |
Proofs of air letters without stamps, all with the By Airmail logo format AF3 (used 1954-66), various types (12), also 53 blue air letter forms without any printing, most cut to shape. (65). £120-150
|
|
|
1964 Shakespeare Festival, unissued air letters depicting Anne Hathaway's Cottage or six scenes from Shakespeare plays, both with the stamp cut out, very rare. (2). Photo on Page 168. £180-240
|
|
| |
1964 Shakespeare Festival, Memorial Theatre and Shakespeare scenes air letters both with yellow and red omitted in error, only the blue and black colours printed, two scarce and dramatic errors. (2). £160-200
|
|
| |
1964-79 Pictorial air letters for 1964 Shakespeare Festival, 1965-70 Christmas issues and 1969 Investiture, with examples of all air letters used and unused, first day uses, examples signed by all designers (including David Gentleman), some copy file letters from P.O Supplies to the printers, press releases, P.O Notices, wrapper bands and bundle labels, Christmas 1966, 1967 and 1970 Specimen overprints, Christmas 1966 with misplaced yellow, special cancels, etc. An interesting lot. (Approx. 300). £200-240
|
|
| |
1965-70 Specimen air letters with the Christmas 1965 pair showing the usual printed Specimen used on press examples (type PS5) or a smaller handstruck type (believed to be very scarce on this issue); Christmas 1966 and 1969 Investiture with small handstruck types; Christmas 1969 with both types PS8 and large violet PS10; Christmas 1970 with large type in black, signed by the designer Peter Gauld. (8). £100-120
|
|
| |
1967 Christmas air letters with missing colours, APS13 with blue and yellow omitted or with black and magenta omitted, and APS14 with blue and yellow omitted, fine and unusual. (3). £240-280
|
|
| |
1968-70 9d Blue Air letters, AP14a with the deep blue and white printing misplaced by 13-16mm to the right; and AP14b with a 55mm band not printed in the centre of the air letter, caused by a band of paper on the air letter during printing and causing much loss of the stamp (including the value), the reverse instructions and the address and sender lines. Two unusual and striking errors. (2). £150-180
|
|
| |
1968 Christmas air letter APS15 with yellow and blue omitted, unusual. £80-100
|
|
|
1969 Investiture of the Prince of Wales air letter, proofs of the view of Carnarvon Castle in differing colours, very unusual. (4). Photo on Page 168. £200-250
|
|
| |
1969 Christmas air letter Essay Proof, the reverse with a mariners wheel above the shepherds, the By Air Mail logo which replaced this on the issued air letter shown on this proof to the right of the air letter design. A rare (possibly unique) unissued design proof on uncut blue paper, 257x440mm, two horizontal folds across the design. £150-200
|
|
| |
1969 Christmas air letter with only the pink colour printed, the red, blue, yellow and white all omitted, an unusual error. £80-100
|
|
| |
Guernsey. 1969 9d stamp Die Proof on blue air letter paper, 250x211mm, a couple of very light folds, otherwise fine and scarce. Also the issued air letter. (2). £100-120
| Decimal Air Letters | |
|
| |
1971 5p Machin unissued air letter essays for a proposed new size (the address panel 210x100mm), printed on standard blue paper, blue paper with a light blue surface showing dark clouds, or on a cream paper with light blue clouds. Three rare and unusual decimal essays, folded along the horizontal fold line only, very fine. (3). £300-400
|
|
|
Similar 1971 5p Machin unissued air letter essays, the address panel 210x100mm, printed on standard blue paper, cream paper with light blue clouds or blue paper with white clouds, the stamps each with handstruck "CANCELLED" overprint (19x2½mm), the fronts all handstamped "ESSAYS", folded, three rare and unusual decimal essays. (3). Photo on Page 168. £400-500
|
|
| |
1979 Sir Rowland Hill death centenary, original artwork by Clive Abbot comprising initial ink sketches on three pages, pencil drawings on a page of tracing paper and pen drawings in colour similar to the final design on three pages with notes on suggested colours; two uncut proofs of the issued design on blue paper with colour proofing bars at the top or left sides and edge guide lines, both signed by Abbott, folded but otherwise fine and rare; issued air letters unused (7, four signed by Abbott) or First Day cancels (5, one signed by Abbott); press releases (2); P.O. Notice and notice "not to be sold before 24 October 1979". A unique group. (25, with 2 proofs, 7 essay pages). £250-350
|
|
| |
1971-c.2012 Definitive and pictorial issue air letters, a large quantity in two boxes, many in folders sorted by issue, with Specimen overprints, first day uses, items signed by the designers, formula air letters without stamps (some forces issues), P.O Notices and press releases, wrapper bands and bundle labels, etc. A large quantity with some interesting items. (100s). £250-350
|
|
| |
Guernsey. 1980 Douglas Gumbley birth centenary, uncut proofs of the brown printing only, blue printing only and the issued design in all three colours but with incorrect values of 14½p (2), one of these two with the value crossed out and "14p" written alongside. Also the issued air letter unused (19, five signed by the designer Peter Le Visseur, one with a drawing of the design) or F.D.C uses (6, five signed by Le Visseur) and 1983 uprated air letter unused. Gumbley, who was born in Guernsey, invented the world's first air letter issued by Iraq in 1933 (see lots 91-95); this air letter depicts Gumbley and his Iraq air letter. The proofs with some creasing or folds, a unique group. (30, with 4 proofs). £250-300
| Railways | |
|
|
1905 (March) Great Western Railway poster postcards, the "Pictorial poster facsimile G.W Series No. 3" issued by Andrew Reed; the complete set of twelve superb coloured cards all postally used from Richmond or Henley on Thames to Yorkshire. A rare set, undoubtedly some of the finest poster postcards produced, subjects including Picturesque Wales, The Cornish Riviera, Lands End, The Lizard, North Wales, Upper Thames, Weymouth, etc. (12). Photo on Page 182. £600-700
| Railway Letter Stamps | |
|
|
East London Railway. 1898 (April) 2d Red stamps from the second printing, all used, comprising type I (3) and type II (4 + cover), cancels include straight line Shadwell (2), Whitechapel and Deptford Road, the very early April 22 cover with the 2d letter stamp and a 1d lilac both cancelled "SHADWELL" and tied by a London E. squared circle. A fine and rare group, just 120 stamps printed. (8). Photo on Page 182. £180-200
|
|
| |
Ireland. 1891 Midland Great Western Railway 2d Die Proof in black on card, 75x38mm, very fine. £80-100
|
|
|
Ireland. 1891 Midland Great Western Railway 2d Die Proof in black on card (91x60mm) with "DUBLIN WICKLOW & WEXFORD RAILWAY" printed above, the only example we have seen, fine and rare. Photo on Page 171. £180-200
|
|
| |
Ireland. The fine mint and used collection in two stockbooks with 2d stamps from Ballycastle (13, five in blue); Belfast & County Down (17); Belfast & Northern Counties (39, with two sheets of nine); Castlederg & Victoria Bridge Tramway (12); Cavan, Leitrim & Roscommon Light (15); Cavan & Leitrim (4, in red); Clogher Valley Tramway (3) and Clogher Valley Railway (9); Cork, Bandon & South Coast (32, with sheets of eight & twelve); Cork, Blackrock & Passage (32, with two sheets of twelve); Cork & Macroom Direct (31 with three sheets of eight, ten in blue); Donegal (26, with sheets of ten & twelve); The County Donegal Railways Joint Committee (4); Dublin, Wicklow & Wexford (15, with a sheet of twelve); Dublin & South Eastern (4); Dundalk, Newry & Greenore (29, with sheet of 20 and block of eight); Great Northern (33, with sheet of 16); Great Southern & Western (48); Londonderry & Lough Swilly (14, eight in blue, six the distinctive type); Midland Great Western (23); Sligo, Leitrim & Northern Counties (24, with two sheets of nine); Tralee & Dingle Lt. Rly & Tramway (6); Waterford & Central Ireland (13, four in red); Waterford, Dungarvon & Lismore (19, all in red, including a sheet of twelve); West Clare (11); Waterford, Limerick & Western (61, with sheet of twelve and two sheets of 24); Waterford and Limerick (14). A superb collection, some good cancels, all fine condition. De Lacy Spencer cat. £10,000 (approx). (551). Photo on Page 171. £1,800-2,200
| Market Basket Stamps - Ireland | |
|
|
Midland & Great Western Railway. 1877 1/-, 1/3, 1/9 and 2/6 Set of four superb mint, the 1/9 marginal, very scarce. (4). Photo on Page 171. £350-450
| Parcel & Newspaper Stamps - England and Wales | |
|
| |
1897 Cover to "Editor, Daily Mail, London" endorsed "News Important, Early Delivery, Per 1.20 train Jany 9/97" bearing a GWR 2d prepaid newspaper parcel stamp; and a 1930 cover franked 1½d from Darlington to Hayle endorsed "To be posted at Darlington" bearing a L.N.E.R 3d parcel stamp on the reverse cancelled oval "STANHOPE" datestamp. (2). £120-140
|
|
  |
Barry Railway. 1895 Newspaper Parcel 1d single with serial number below and pair with serial number above, 3d block of nine (Ewen 1, 3); similar re-engraved 1d (2), 2d pair on green paper, 3d (2), all unlisted by Ewen; and c.1900 One Newspaper pair (Ewen 4), scarce. (20). Photo on Page 171. £100-120
|
|
|
Bishops Castle Railway. c.1904 Newspaper Parcel ½d (4) and 1d (4), Ewen 1/2; and unlisted 2d black on yellow and large 4d black on green stamps both with red manuscript "Cancelled", these two very rare. (10). Photo on Page 171. £150-180
|
|
  |
Brecon & Merthyr Railway. c.1863 Newspaper Parcel 6d (2, Ewen 5); similar 3d on rose with "At Owners Risk" below (Ewen 6); smaller second type ½d (3), 1d (2) and 2d (3) with vertical shading and no serial number (Ewen 10-12, a pair of each); re-engraved type with horizontal shading 1d used and 2d with serial number above (unlisted Ewen); ½d singles (2) and sheet of twelve, 1d pair and 2d (2) with serial number at base (Ewen 13-15). Also an 1888 1/- dog ticket. A rare group. (33). Photo on Page 175. £240-280
|
|
| |
Cambrian Railways. Unissued 6d Prepaid Parcel stamps, imperf plate proof blocks comprising corner block of four on gummed paper and block of six on ungummed paper, fine and scarce. (10). £80-100
|
|
|
Cambrian Railways. c.1865 Imperf Newspaper and Book stamp (unlisted Ewen); large type Newspaper Parcel imperf 1½d, 3d, rouletted ½d pair and 1d (2), Ewen 3, 5/7; c.1896 "At Owners Risk" 1d (3), 2d, 6d, Ewen 8, 9, 11; redrawn 1d (2), 2d (4, two types), 3d (2 types), 6d and imperf proof pairs of 1d and 2d, Ewen 12-17 + unlisted variants; smaller ½d singles (2, unlisted) and a sheet of twelve with "At Owners Risk" (Ewen 18a); also an extraordinary 1908 parcel way bill bearing a 1/- bicycle ticket. A scarce lot. (40). Photo on Page 171. £280-320
|
|
| |
Cleator & Workington Junction Railway. 1900 ½d and 1d in singles (2 of each) and blocks of four, fine mint. Ewen 1/2. (12). £60-80
|
|
      |
Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway. c.1875 "One Newspaper only" ½d (6, various papers), Newspaper Parcels and Letters die I 1d blue (2), die II 2d red, die III ½d black on lilac, 1d black, 2d and 3d red. Ewen 1-5 + unlisted colours/variants. A scarce group. (12). Photo on Page 149. £150-200
|
|
|
Colne Valley Railway. c.1884 One Newspaper ½d single and pair, Ewen 1; Parcels Service 1d (6, two used), 2d (2), 4d (3, one used), 6d (five, one used) and a 2d proof without control number, one 6d with larger value (unlisted by Ewen). Ewen 1-5, 7. A good lot. (20). Photo on Page 175. £200-250
|
|
|
Corris Railway. 1895 Newspaper Parcel stamps ½d (5), 1d (6) and 2d (4) without control numbers, ½d - 2d with manuscript controls comprising ½d (8, with block of six imperf vertically), 1d (15 with block of nine), 2d (18, with block of nine), also two picture postcards (one posted at Corris in 1905) and the 1949 book "The Corris Railway" by L. Cozens. (60). Photo on Page 173. £200-250
|
|
