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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - EARLY "SHIP LETTER" COVER TO G.B. + LT. GOVERNOR HUNTLEY COVER WRITTEN EN ROUTE TO GAMBIA; 9 May 1843 E (one side-flap removed) from "J. Lynn" (Methodist Mission schoolmaster) at "Gambia" (filing note) to London charged "8[d]" with a mainly very fine black London "SHIP-LETTER" slightly across the join on the reverse with red arrival cds (27 June). Plus fine 19 Mar. 1840 env. + contents (typed transcript) written & signed on board ship by the new Gambia Lt. Governor, Capt. "H.V. Huntley" just as he was departing to take up his new post in Gambia; posted from "DEAL" (fine cds) prepaid 1d in cash to Gloucestershire via London. Rare pair. (2 covers) [The 1843 cover ex Weldhen 2002, Bavington-Jones 1983 & Whitfield; the 1840 cover ex Bavington-Jones 1983.]
Cross Reference: KENT, SHIP LETTERS, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY
£650
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - EARLY "SHIP LETTER" COVER FROM A WESLEYAN MISSIONARY AT "ST. MARY'S" TO G.B.; 27 June 1843 E from "George Parsonson" (Methodist Missionary in Gambia from 1843 to 1847) at "St. Mary's [Gambia]" (filing note) to London initially charged "8[d]" and then "1/4" (double rate) with a mainly very fine black London "SHIP-LETTER" across the join on the reverse with red arrival cds (27 June; same sailing as cover in previous lot). Rare and attractive early letter. [Ex Bavington-Jones 1983 & ex Weldhen 2002.]
Cross Reference: LONDON POSTAL HISTORY, SHIP LETTERS
£500
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - EARLY PACKET LETTER (1s-10d RATE) COVER TO G.B. FROM GAMBIA's MILITARY COMMANDER; 1 July 1843 EL (internal heading folds for display beside address-panel) from "[Major] F.N. Cobbe" (Commander of the Troops in Gambia; see two lots below) at "Bathurst, Gambia" to Ireland unusually charged "1/10" (the Packet Letter rate from Madeira to GB at the time; so possibly sent to Madeira by private means and posted there) with no Ship Letter mark but with a red London transit cds (3 Aug.). One of only two early Gambia letters at this rate that we have recorded. Rare and with long interesting contents about life in Gambia, shooting birds, etc. [Ex Bavington-Jones, 1983.]
Cross Reference: MILITARY
£750
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - EARLY "DEAL/SHIP LETTER" COVER TO G.B. FROM GAMBIA's MILITARY COMMANDER; 18 Sept. 1843 EL (internal heading folds for display beside address-panel) from "[Major] F.N. Cobbe" (Commander of the Troops in Gambia; see following lot) at "Bathurst, Gambia" to Ireland charged "8[d]" with a very fine boxed step-type "DEAL/SHIP LETTER" nicely placed on the front, having a London 7 Nov. transit cds on the top flap; interesting family letter about life in Gambia, the threat of fever, and the writer's hope of being appointed the next Lt. Governor. Exhibition Item.
Cross Reference: SHIP LETTERS, KENT, MILITARY
£600
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - RARE INGOING O.H.M.S. MAIL TO THE MILITARY COMMANDER "ON THE GAMBIA"; 30 Aug. 1844 front + part flaps (some faults) sent by Official Mail endorsed "O.H.M.S. [signature]. Ordnance" to "Major Cobbe, Com[mandin]g. the Troops, Bathurst on the Gambia" (the writer of the letters in the previous two lots) with v. fine red crowned London "[Official] PAID" and oval "PAID SHIP LETTER/[Crown]/LONDON" datestamps. Very rare destination for GB Official Mail and a very early ingoing item to Gambia. [Ex Athenian, Cavendish Apr. 1996, lot 40; realised £195.]
Cross Reference: OFFICIAL MAIL, OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY, SHIP LETTERS
£150
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - VERY EARLY COVER TO FRANCE - ENDORSED "PAR [SHIP] LA NELLY" & LANDED AT MARSEILLES; Fine 9 May 1850 EL (internal heading folds to display beside the address panel) from a French ship's Captain ("Capne. Loche") in "St. Marie Gambie" to Bordeaux (regarding a shipment of wine and recent business in "Senegal") endorsed "Par la Nelly" on the front and charged "25" and then "50"[decimes] with a fine "MARSEILLE" transit cds (21 July) on the front. Very rare destination at this early date. [Ex Weldhen, 2002.]
Cross Reference: FRANCE
£500
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - THE EARLIEST RECORDED (?) GAMBIA POSTAL MARKING - "BATHURST/PAID/GAMBIA" C.D.S. ON COVER TO G.B.; Fine 25 May 1861 EL (in French) to London "via Packet" with a very fine rare "BATHURST/PAID/GAMBIA" cds (just shaved at right by filing fold) on the front with red manuscript "5" (5d credit to GB from full 6d prepaid in Gambia?), having a fine red "PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET" cds (11 June) transit cds on the front. This was the first postmark used in Gambia, and this cover may be the earliest recorded example (one of March 1861 was mentioned by 'Athenian', but this 25 May 1861 date is the earliest recorded by Proud; there was a similar cover of the same date and to the same address - but with a poor strike of this PAID mark - in the Weldhen sale). Important Gambia Exhibition Item. [Ex Athenian, Cavendish Apr. 1996, lot 41; realised £2,760.]
£2000
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - VERY EARLY USAGE OF THE 1st-TYPE "PAID" MARK OF GAMBIA - ON COVER TO FRANCE VIA G.B.; 25 Aug. 1861 small mourning env. (some edge wear and with slight staining at right) to "Espas, Gers" (SW France) with a mainly fine blue double-oval firm's "BARRERE FRERES/BATHURST/RIVIERE DE GAMBIE" cachet at top right and a mainly very fine rare red "BATHURST/PAID/[GAMBIA]" cds at left (slightly overlapped by the Calais transit cds) with red manuscript "5"(?) - credit due to GB from 6d prepaid in all? - and red London "PD" in circle on the front as well as a faint London transit cds (10 Sept.). This was the first postmark used in Gambia, and this cover may be the 3rd earliest recorded example (the two earlier known examples were addressed to GB; see previous lot). A rare early destination and an important Exhibition item. [Ex Glover & ex Athenian, Cavendish April 1996, lot 42; realised £1,725.]
Cross Reference: FRANCE
£1500
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - EARLY USAGE OF THE 1st-TYPE SMALL ENCIRCLED "GAMBIA" C.D.S. IN RED - ON COVER TO FRANCE VIA G.B.; Fine 30 Dec. 1869 E to Bordeaux "P. [Ship] Athenian" with a very fine blue oval firm's "VICTOR BARRERE/ BATHURST/RIVIERE GAMBIE/VOTE OCCIDENTALE D'AFRIQUE" cachet at top right and a mainly very fine rare small red encircled "A/GAMBIA" cds in the centre with red manuscript "7" - credit due to GB from 8d prepaid in all? - and red overstruck London "PD" in circle on the front as well as a very fine red London "PAID" transit cds (15 Jan. 1870). This Gambia mark is surprisingly rare; it was issued from London on 6 March 1868 but is not recorded used by Proud until Aug. 1868. An important Exhibition item. [Ex 'Athenian', Cavendish April 1996, lot 43; realised £1,840. This was the cover that inspired the 1996 collection's nom-de-plume.]
Cross Reference: FRANCE
£1500
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - SPECTACULAR & UNIQUE(?) SWISS POSTAGE DUES COVER WITH RARE LARGER RED "GAMBIA/A/PAID" C.D.S.; Remarkable cash-paid 21 Aug. 1879 env. (slightly reduced at top) to Basle "Via Liverpool" with a purple manuscript "6[d]" rate beside a mainly very fine rare larger red encircled "GAMBIA/A/PAID" cds (year omitted) - only recorded occasionally in the 1879-81 period - on the front along with a very fine red "PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" transit cds (3 Sept.), but apparently found to be over-weight on arrival in Switzerland and so charged "1.30" in red crayon, with Swiss 10h, 20h & 100h Blue Postage Due stamps (a couple of small stains in perfs.) on the front, all tied to each other (and the 10h just tied to the cover) by fair Basel cds's. Probably a Unique Postage Dues cover and a very colourful and appealing Exhibition Item. [Ex Bavington-Jones, 1983; realised £990.]
Cross Reference: POSTAGE DUE COVERS, SWITZERLAND, LANCASHIRE - LIVERPOOL, SHIP LETTERS
£1500
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PRESTAMP & STAMPLESS MAIL, 1840-79 - INCOMING MAIL WITH RECEIVED GAMBIA DATESTAMP; July 1889 env. (few defects) to Bathurst franked Sierra Leone QV 4d tied by barred numeral cancel with fair "RECEIVED/GAMBIA" cds centrally struck intended for use on incoming mail.
Cross Reference: SIERRA LEONE
£150
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PRELIMINARY ESSAY - PRIMARY DIE IMPRESSION OF THE QUEEN'S HEAD ON THIN CARD WITH DULL GREY-BLUE SURROUND: as found amongst the effects of Ernest Wyon, grandson of William Wyon, RA, Chief Engraver of The Royal Mint, who had been responsible for engraving the head dies for the 1847-54 embossed issues of Great Britain and the similarity of design in size, appearance and detail of this with the Gambia Cameo Head establishes William Wyon as the engraver of the die which was used as a master, directly or indirectly, for the preparation of the Gambia dies in 1869. With clipping of article from Stamp Collecting of 25 Jan. 1947 and letter of provenance dated the same year. Ex Bavington-Jones (Lot 27) realised £4750. ITEM OF GREAT PHILATELIC IMPORTANCE - one of two recorded, the other being on oval shaped card.
Cross Reference: ESSAYS & PROOFS
£5000
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1869 ISSUE - 4d DIE PROOF FROM DLR DAY BOOK; in Black on Embossed glazed card (tiny mark at base) as the issued design mounted in the lower left corner of a piece cut from the DLR Day book with mss. 'Nov 2/15 Leads' [sheet size was just 15 stamps] and ex DLR Archives. Important Exhibition item
Cross Reference: ESSAYS & PROOFS
£750
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1869 ISSUE - UNIQUE PROGRESSIVE DIE PROOF OF 4d VALUE; Black Proof on thick paper hinged onto sunken card mount approx 21x25mm and prior to the removal of the Black outer border before the plate was made. Major exhibition item. Ex McCaig, Bavington-Jones & Athenian.
Cross Reference: ESSAYS & PROOFS
£1500
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1869 ISSUE - FINAL STAGE PROOF OF THE 4d VALUE; Die Proof in Black on white paper on a sunken mount and with the white border as in the issued design. Minor mark at base and in the surround at lower left. Major Exhibition item. Ex DLR Archives
Cross Reference: ESSAYS & PROOFS
£1500
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1869 ISSUE - 4d Progressive Plate Proof sheet of 15 (5x3) in Black on ungummed coarse wove paper taken prior to embossing. Rare. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. BPA Cert. (1993)
Cross Reference: ESSAYS & PROOFS
£500
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1869 ISSUE - 4d Brown & 6d Deep Blue optd "SPECIMEN" in Blue (Samuel Type D5) large part o.g. small thin to the 4d value and each with four close to good margins. Rare. Ex Athenian. BPA Cert. (1982)
Cross Reference: SPECIMENS
£1500
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1869 ISSUE - 4d Brown & 6d Deep Blue optd "SPECIMEN" in Blue (Samuel Type D5) large part o.g. small stain on the 4d value and 6d thinned, each with four close to good margins. Rare. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein and Athenian. (2)
£500
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1869 ISSUE - 4d Brown with mss. 'Cancelled' in Black ink above value tablet with four clear uneven margins and traces of o.g. Fine and rare. Ex Athenian where sold for £440
£400
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1869 ISSUE - 4d Brown & 6d Deep Blue each with four even margins and opts in Black "CANCELLED" (Samuel Type D6). Very fine and Rare. Ex DLR Archives, Bavington-Jones and Athenian (2)
£1500
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1869 ISSUE - 4d Brown, large part o.g. top marginal example [4] and fine. Ex Athenian. SG £600
£120
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1869 ISSUE - 4d Pale Brown, part o.g. with four even margins showing misplaced shifting of the embossing giving the appearance of a double embossing and unusual thus. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein
£150
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1869 ISSUE - 4d Brown [10] with part o.g. and four even margins, expertiser's signature on rear and showing slight embossing shift to the left. Fine.
£120
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1869 ISSUE - 4d shade selection, four unplated examples with traces or part o.g and each with four mainly even margins with shades from Pale to Deep Brown (4)
£400
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1869 ISSUE - 4d shade selection, four unplated examples with traces or part o.g and each with four mainly even margins with shades from Pale to Deep Brown, one with slight stain at left and another with Scott (NY) expertising h.s. on rear. (4)
£300
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1869 ISSUE - 4d shade selection, four unplated examples with part o.g or unused and each mostly with four margins and with shades from Pale to Deep Brown. (4)
£300
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1869 ISSUE - 4d Pale Brown pair, large part o.g. and with four margins, faint crease in left unit though a scarce multiple. Ex Harmers Sale of 11-12.3.1935 Lot 201 sold for £14 & Bavington-Jones (Lot 46) sold for £200 PHOTO - see plate no.
£200
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1869 ISSUE - 4d used shade selection, five unplated examples with either Types 3 or 5 cancellations and with variable margins and shades from Pale to Deep Brown (5)
£150
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1869 ISSUE - 6d DIE PROOF; in Black on white paper from Plate I, fully embossed and within a sunken mount. Tiny mark at left though still very fine and rare. Important Exhibition item. Ex Athenian.
Cross Reference: ESSAYS & PROOFS
£1000
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1869 ISSUE - 6d DIE PROOF; in Blue on white paper from Plate I with blue mark next to the eye, fully embossed and within a sunken mount. Tiny surface marks at right and top though still very fine and rare. Important Exhibition item. Ex DLR Archives, Bavington-Jones & Athenian.
Cross Reference: ESSAYS & PROOFS
£1500
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1869 ISSUE - 6d DIE PROOF; in Black on heavy paper fully embossed and within a sunken mount. With tiny ink mark next to the eye and few surface abrasions at lower left though still very fine and rare. Important Exhibition item.
Cross Reference: ESSAYS & PROOFS
£1200
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Blue, two shades, each with four good margins and with part or large part o.g., one from bottom left corner RPSL (1951) & PFSA (1983) Certs. respectively. SG £1100 (2)
£220
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Deep to Pale Blue shades used selection inc. five singles and a horiz. pair (stained by oily pmk) and with close to large margins, one with additional mss 'X' cancel and another from the base of sheet (7)
£220
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Deep Blue & Blue each with four good margins, unused or latter from the left margin and re-gummed. BPA Certs. (1990) for each. Former with Thier (Berlin) & Stolow (NY) and latter with Kohler (Berlin) expertising marks on rear. SG £1150 (2)
£200
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Deep Blue [15] with very wide margins at right and base and large part o.g. Pencil expertising signature on rear. Ex Bavington-Jones (Lot 58)
£120
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Deep Blue corner marginal block of four [4-5/9-10] showing printer's dot in lower half of right margin, part patchy o.g. and a few small stains though a very rare first issue block. Ex Sacher & Bavington-Jones where sold for £2500
£1500
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Pale Blue, four good to large margins, part o.g., very faint stains at right and possible small thin at lower left (rear), nonetheless a very rare example of this difficult shade. SG £3250
£300
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Deep Blue, four large margins and part o.g. few expertising signatures on rear and a tiny ink dot on the Queen's chin. Holcombe Cert. (1985)
£120
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Deep Blue [11] with large to very large margins and from the lower left corner of the sheet and large part o.g. Very fine. Signed A D(iena) on rear. Ex Weldhen (Lot 1262)
£130
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Deep Blue & Blue, two marginal examples from either base or top of sheet and each with part o.g., latter with slight surface abrasion and Buhler (Berlin) expertising h.s. on rear. (2)
£200
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Deep Blue to Blue shade selection, variable margins, and each with part o.g. one with some surface marks and another with a pin hole. Rendon Cert. (1986) for a Deep Blue shade. (4)
£220
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1869 ISSUE - 6d Deep to Pale Blue shades used selection inc. four singles and a vert. pair (partially severed and rejoined and upper unit with pinhole) and with close to large margins, three without year within the cds one of which is for Xmas Day. (6)
£260
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1874 ISSUE - 4d Pale Brown [15] corner position with large margin at base (faint crease) and right with faint soiling in margins and unidentified expertiser's h.s. on rear. Ex Sacher and Bavington-Jones (Lot 93) where sold for £230
£200
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1874 ISSUE - 4d Brown or Pale Brown, three marginal examples [5], [6] or [15] with close to large margins elsewhere and part or large part o.g. One signed A D(iena) on rear and with Fiecchi (Milan) Cert. (1953) and another Pos. 6 showing part dot in margin. Very fine. SG £1225 (3)
£260
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1874 ISSUE - 4d Brown horiz. pair with good to large margins, part o.g. with wmk inverted and reversed. A rare multiple of this var. Ex Whitfield and Bavington-Jones. SG £2000+
£400
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1874 ISSUE - 4d Brown [10] with wide margin at right showing printer's dot in centre and with natural paper inclusion at rear and part o.g.
£120
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1874 ISSUE - 4d Brown shades selection from Pale to Dark, one unused others with part o.g. and mostly good margins (4)
£280
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1874 ISSUE - 4d Brown used with close to large margins and wmk var. inverted (2 - different shades and one with cds with year omitted) or showing double-lined "N" from "CROWN COLONIES" (3)
£200
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1874 ISSUE - 4d Brown used group with shades from Pale to Deep and Reddish-Brown, variable margins and several with cds showing year omitted and one with a mss. village cancel and a variation of sub-curl under the bun. (9)
£300
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1874 ISSUE - 4d IMPERF SOLO FRANKING ON COVER TO SWITZERLAND; 30 June 1880 env. to Schaffhausen franked 4d Brown, margins good to touching and tied by Gambia Paid cds (no year) with additional strike at lower left and with Liverpool Packet cds also on front. Rear with London and Schaffhausen cds. Some staining and blemishes though an exceedingly rare first issue franking. Major exhibition item. Ex Athenian
£6000
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