Sale 937 — 2007 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 16 June, 2007
Category — Foreign Countries
ANDORRA, 1975, 80c Jesus on Cross, Inscription Omitted (236 var; Yvert 243a). Mint N.H., rich colors on bright paper, almost perfectly centered with wide margins all around, all text is missingEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF ANDORRA. ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THIS DRAMATIC ERROR ARE KNOWN.
The stamp was printed in sheets of six. The other four may be lost to philately -- they have never been recorded.
With 1991 Calves certificate and with his backstamp.
ARGENTINA, 1910, -1/2c-5p Centenary, Inverted Centers (160a-162a, 164a, 167a, 171a, 173a). The complete set of seven different, fresh colors, few small imperfectionsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A LOVELY SET OF THESE SCARCE AND DESIRABLE ARGENTINIAN INVERTS.
On original hand-drawn watercolor exhibition page
COOK ISLANDS, 1932, 1p Brown Lake & Black, Inverted Center (85a; SG 100a). Centered to top, deep rich colors on bright paperFINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE COOK ISLANDS ONE-PENCE JAMES COOK ISSUE WITH INVERTED CENTER.
Also incl. 2p with inverted center (86 var; SG 101 var.) which has been declared printer's waste that appeared on the market three years after the issuance of the series and was at one time listed by Gibbons, SG value £5,000 for the SG 100a
DANZIG, 1920, 5m Slate & Carmine, Inverted Center and "Danzig" Ovpt. (15Aa; Michel 15BKI). Lightly hinged, centered left as are presumably all known genuine examplesFINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1920 DANZIG 5-MARK SLATE AND CARMINE WITH INVERTED CENTER. ONLY ONE SHEET OF 20 WAS DISCOVERED OF THIS MAJOR INVERT RARITY.
Signed "S.A." (Spencer Anderson) in pencil. Michel value e18,000
(ETHIOPIA) NAPIER EXPEDITION. Cover bearing horizontal strip of four and pair of India 1a Brown (22; SG 58) and 8p Lilac (19; SG 52), each stamp cancelled by neat strike of "F F" in diamond grid handstamp of Abyssinian Field Force on cover to Cheltenham, England, endorsed "Via Marseille", red "Field Force Post Office 9 FE 68" backstamp and matching "Paid" handstamp, receiving backstamp (Feb. 27), stamps with some trace of ink from red cancelling device, some edgewear affects stamps as does some toningVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE COVER FROM THE NAPIER EXPEDITION. THIS COVER BEARS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF STAMPS OF ANY NAPIER EXPEDITION COVER. A WONDERFUL SHOWPIECE.
According to Wikipedia.com, the British 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia was a punitive expedition against the Emperor of Ethiopia Emperor Tewodros II. Tewodros II had written to the British Government requesting their help in his wars with his neighbors. When he received no answer to his letter, he took offence and made a number of British officials and missionaries his prisoners. After the Queen's written appeal of April 1867 went unanswered, a force from the British and Indian armies was despatched under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier to free the captives. The force consisted of 13,000 British and Indian soldiers, 26,000 camp followers and over 40,000 animals, including 44 elephants. The force set sail from Bombay and landed at Zula on the Red Sea, and then marched 400 miles south to Tewodros' capital at Magdala. It took Napier's forces 3 months to trek over the mountainous terrain to the foot of the fortress. A battle took place outside this citadel on April 13, 1868, in which the defending forces were routed. Tewodros committed suicide to avoid capture, and the prisoners were released.
(ETHIOPIA) NAPIER EXPEDITION. 1868 mourning cover bearing India 4a, Die II (26B; SG 71), tied by "F F" in diamond grid cancel of the Abyssinian Field Force and addressed to "Colonel Macintire C.B., Commanding Royal Artillery, Bangalore", endorsed "Via Bombay" at top left, back of cover with "Field Force Post Office 1 MY 68" rimless datestamp, Bombay (May 16) and red receiving datestamp (May 19), docketing also ties stamp, fresh and Fine, scarce usage
FRANCE, 1852, 25c Blue, Frameline (11var; Yvert 10b). Original gum, h.r., large margins all around with sheet margin at left, deep rich color and detailed impression, tiny thin spotEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM FRAMELINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1852 25-CENT BLUE ISSUE.
With Brun and Calves backstamps. Scott Retail with no premium for the frameline $2,300.00. Yvert value
FRANCE, 1862, 10c Bister (25; Yvert 21). Horizontal pair, original gum, barest trace of hinging, radiant color, single blind perf at bottomFRESH AND FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED PAIR OF THE 1862 10-CENTIME BISTRE ISSUE.
With 1988 Calves certificate as block of four (no backstamp). Scott Retail $2,200.00 as singles. Yvert value as singles
FRANCE, 1862, 20c Blue, Tete-Beche Pair (26a; Yvert 22b). With top and side corner selvage, original gum, small h.r. in selvage at top, bright color, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL CORNER SHEET SELVAGE TETE-BECHE PAIR OF THE 20-CENTIME 1862 ISSUE.
With 1989 Renon and 1991 Calves certificates. Purple Marchand backstamp. Scott Retail $3,300.00. Yvert value
GREAT BRITAIN, 1840, 1p Black (1; SG 2). Remarkable plate composite reconstruction of the 240 positions, from "AA" to "TL", attractively mounted twelve to a page (by row), most with red or black MC cancels, typical reconstruction quality but there are four-margin examples to be foundOVERALL FINE-VERY FINE. WITHOUT QUESTION CONSIDERABLE TIME WAS DEDICATED TO THIS ASSMBLAGE AND WOULD BE AN EQUALLY DAUNTING TASK IF ONE WERE TO ATTEMPT THIS RECONSTRUCTION TODAY. A GREAT SHOWING OF THE WORLD'S FIRST POSTAGE STAMP.
Catalogue values do not include any premiums for plates, plate varieties or shades. SG value £66,000
GREAT BRITAIN, 1840, 1p Black (1; SG 2). AB, large margins to in, tied by red Maltese Cross cancel on 1p Black, Mulready entire to Manhested, neat "Dumfries AU 8, 1840" boxed backstamp, some slight edgewear, otherwise Very Fine, attractive use of the world's first postage stamp used on the world's first entire, with 1984 Diena certificate
LABUAN, 1901, 8c Red & Black, Inverted Frame (J6a; SG D6ba). Cancelled to order as always, bright colorsFRESH AND FINE. AN IMPORTANT AND SELDOM-OFFERED BRITISH COMMONWEALTH RARITY, OF WHICH ONLY 34 EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.
All of the known examples of this invert are cancelled to order, as they were discovered in packets and cheap sets after having been "remaindered," cancelled and sold below face value. This stamp is an addition to the list of 33 examples compiled by David Herendeen (The London Philatelist, January/February 2006).
Perez backstamp. SG value £9,000
ITALY, 1923, 10c-5l Manzoni Issue (165-170; Sassone 151-156). Mint N.H., rich colors, choice centering, fresh and Very Fine set, the two high values with 2007 Raybaudi certificate, each stamp signed Raybaudi, Sassone value e3,750.00
MEXICO, 1864, 4r Green, Eagle (24). "Veracruz 38. 1866" overprint, full to large margins, tied by "Franqueado Vera Cruz Abril 15" circular datestamp, used with pair of France 1860 80c Napoleon (20), large margins except touched at top, scissors cut and crease, tied by anchor in diamond maritime cancel, partly readable "1 Mexique 1 15 Avril 66" octagonal datestamp and "P.P." framed handstamp on folded cover to the Vice Consul of Spain at Matamoros, slight wear and faint toning around edgesVERY FINE. A FABULOUSLY RARE MIXED-FRANKING COVER AND POSSIBLY THE ONLY COMBINATION OF THE MEXICAN 4-REALES EAGLE AND FRENCH IMPERFORATE NAPOLEON ISSUES EXTANT.
The few known covers bearing Mexican and French stamps during this period typically have a Mexico 2-reales stamp. This 4-reales double-rate usage is exceedingly rare (see Mexican Maritime Mail, Schimmer and Heath, p. 122-129).
With 2005 MEPSI certificate
NEWFOUNDLAND, 1932, $1.50 on $1.00 Dornier DO-X, Inverted Surcharge (C12a; SG 221a). Mint N.H., choice centering, rich colors on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE DORNIER DO-X WITH INVERTED SURCHARGE. APPROXIMATELY 50 WERE PRINTED.
These stamps were printed in sheets of four for use on the return flight of the Dornier DO-X from New York to Germany. According to the American Air Mail Catalogue, Newfoundland mail was accepted for despatch by the DO-X, to be prepaid by Newfoundland stamps. According to the Sanabria catalogue, a total of 8,000 stamps with the DO-X surcharge were printed. Of these, 50 received inverted surcharges.
Signed Bloch and Diena. With 1968 Diena and copy of 1971 B.P.A. certificate (where described as full original gum). SG £13,000.00 as hinged
NEW GUINEA, 1915-16, 6p Ultramarine, Horizontal Pair, Right Stamp Retouched "E" (18 var; SG 78, 78a). Original gum, h.r. at top, right stamp clearly showing crudely retouched second "E" of "PENCE", bright colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE NEW GUINEA 6-PENCE ULTRAMARINE WITH RETOUCHED "E" OF "PENCE".
With 2007 B.P.A. certificate. Unlisted in Scott. SG value as singles
NEW BRUNSWICK, 1851, 1sh Bright Red Violet (3; SG 5). Original gum, large even margins all around, deep rich color on nicely blued paper, trivial small faint stain at top barely worthy of mention but noted on certificateEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL FOUR-MARGIN ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE NEW BRUNSWICK 1851 ONE-SHILLING RED VIOLET.
With 2007 Greene certificate. SG £15,000.00
TONGA, 1897, 7-1/2p Green & Black, Inverted Center (47a; SG 48a). Beautifully centered, original gum, h.r., deep rich colorsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE TONGA 1897 7-1/2 PENCE GEORGE II INVERT.
SG value £4,500