Sale 913 — 2006 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 May, 2006
Category — Great Britain
1840, 1p Black (1; SG 2). Four-margin single from Plate 11, pretty color, bold strike of Maltese Cross cancel, toned spot at center which looks as though it may have been caused by application of a wax seal to assist in affixing this to its cover, otherwise Very Fine, very rare four-margin stamp from Plate 11
1840, 1p Black (1). Remarkable plate composite reconstruction of the 240 positions, from "AA" at top left to "TL" at bottom right, mostly with red or black MC cancels, Position K-I with broken "I", margins to in (most plating quality)FINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND RARE RECONSTRUCTED COMPOSITE SHEET OF THE GREAT BRITAIN ONE-PENNY BLACK.
The Penny Black plate was lettered in such a way that each stamp could be easily matched to its position. This may have been done so that any defective engravings could be quickly identified.
Scott Retail with no premium for any of the better plates. A similar plate reconstruction realized $21,000 hammer in our 2005 Rarities sale.
1840, 1p Black (1; SG 2). Position A-D, huge margins to clear with corners angled but clear, tied by red Maltese Cross cancel on folded cover to Warwickshire, brown "C MY-6 1840" First Day of Issue datestamp on backflap, missing left flap, small hole punch at top leftVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS VERY RARE FIRST DAY USAGE OF THE WORLD'S FIRST POSTAGE STAMP.
A rare opportunity to acquire the very first "first day" cover.
1840, 1p Black (1; SG 2). Plate 1, lettered F-A, the "F" with "arrow" pointing down at bottom and the "A" on a slight slant, ample to large margins, tied by red Maltese Cross on small envelope to Scotland, May 10, 1840 cancel struck partly off cover, clear strike of red "MAY 11 1840" receiving backstamp, few cover creases and stamp with tiny trivial corner crease at top rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE PENNY BLACK USED ON THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER IT WAS ISSUED.
The first official day of issue, May 6, was a Wednesday. Covers used on the first Sunday are scarce, because very few post offices were open.
1840, 1p Black (1; SG 2). Block of four from Plate 7, DK to EL, large margins to barely in, tied by red Maltese Cross cancels on part of folded cover to LondonFRESH AND FINE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE PENNY BLACK FROM PLATE 7, USED ON A LARGE PART OF A COVER TO LONDON.
An attractive item.
VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE HOLDING OF PLATE RECONSTRUCTIONS OF THE GREAT BRITAIN 1864 PENNY RED ISSUE.
Most plate reconstructions we have seen tend to be from a mix of plates, and showing the various positions as indicated in the corner letters. This holding, which reconstructs the positions on each plate, is a major accomplishment.
Scott Retail over
1870, -1/2p Rose (58; SG 49). Virtually complete reconstruction of the 480 positions on the plate, lacking only 29 stamps to be complete, range of cancels, unchecked for better plate nos. but cursory glance revealed at least one from Plate 20 and several from Plate 4, usual plating condition with some stamps at edges defectiveFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A DIFFICULT PLATE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE 1870 HALF-PENCE ISSUE.
SG £6,765
1883, 2sh6p Lilac (96; SG 179). Plate reconstruction of the 112 positions, lacking only "I-E" to be complete, wide range of cancels and with some darker shades (not counted as such), one with bright purple cancel, general plating quality with faults to be expectedFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE PLATE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE 2SH6P LILAC ISSUE OF 1883.
SG £14,000
1884, 5sh Carmine Rose (108; SG 180). Virtually complete plate reconstruction of the 112 positions, lacking only fourteen to be complete, range of shades and cancels, general plating qualityFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND ALMOST COMPLETE PLATING OF THE 5-SHILLING CARMINE ROSE 1884 ISSUE.
SG £17,640 with no premium for shades.
1884, 10sh Ultramarine (109; SG 183). Partial plate reconstruction consisting of 45 positions, range of cancels, usual plating quality with some faultsFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE PARTIAL PLATE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE 1884 10-SHILLING ULTRAMARINE ISSUE.
Due to the high catalogue value of the stamps this plate reconstruction is not usually attempted. The group offered here presents the buyer with an excellent start.
SG £20,250