386th Auction

POSTAGE DUE FORERUNNER: 1830, Postage due label “ÉLÉMENT DE LA TAXE (Avril 1829)” in black on yellowish paper (108:82 mm), affixed to an entire letter with content sent from the Chelsea Hospital in London to a pensioner in Bern, red free frank crowned circle cds “FREE 8 NO 1830” applied on departure, from Bern re-addressed to France where the free frank privilege was not recognized, and the mail taxed accordingly at 1,70 francs (1,50 francs for Switzerland and 20 centimes for transportation from the border to Wyler near Thann). Some minor aging and tiny imperfections not detracting from this tremendous rarity, being the earliest use of those very elusive world´s first postage due labels (preceding from three years the one recorded in the literature). A remarkable specialist´s item

1855, Isabella 2 reales reddish violet, two single copies with full margins, tied by barred oval to lettersheet with part of content with adjacent blue "CADIZ 15 ENE 56" to Buenos Aires, endorsed "Via Canarias". In transit marked with crowned circle "PAID AT TENERIFE" and on reverse "TENERIFE FE 15 1856". A fine and rare combination cover.

1890, 1d. proof impression of the 1840, 1d. black, die I, with additional (inked) reversed engraving ‚1‘ and ‚OLD ORIGINAL‘ below the impression, slightly reduced in size, the design showing no signs of wear, minor corner imperfections in the margins where the die proof was originally affixed, but still fine and fresh. (S.G. Cat. GBP 12.500)

Provenance: ‚K.M.‘ Collection, Spink, 6 June 2007, lot 221

1860/71, 1d. proof impression of the 1840, 1d. black, die I, with additional (albino) reversed engravings ‚1‘ and ‚OLD ORIGINAL‘ below the impression, a later impression showing signs of wear, a few tiny marginal thins clear of design and usual faint bends, still attractive and very fresh, B.P.A. certificate (2001). (S.G. Cat. GBP 12.500)

Provenance: Robson Lowe, 15 April 1975, lot 50
‚TES‘ Collection, Christies, 5 October 1995, lot 149
Gaetano Vullo Collection, Harmer, 12 November 2003, lot 38

1840, 1d. black, plate 1, TD, two singles cut from the First and Second Imprimatur sheets („Before Hardening“ and „After Hardening“) with large to very large margins all round, the Imprimatur from the First imprimatur sheet dated 15 April showing the sharp impression of the earliest state of the (unhardened) printing plate 1, the latter from the Second Imprimatur sheet dated 27 April showing the contrasting worn impression. A magnificent Matched Pair from the first printing of the world’s first postage stamp! For the other imprimatur (first printing of the world's first “never issued” postage stamp) registered on 15 April 1840, see lot 320). BPA certificates  for each (2009) (S.G.Cat.: GBP 30‘000)

Remarks: Neighbour stamps of the 1d., TD, from Second Imprimatur: 
TC was in the Board of Inland Revenue Reference Collection
TE is in the Tapling Collection, British Museum.

Provenance: For the 1d.,TD, First Imprimatur sheet:
Harmer, 30 November 1954, (2500th. Jubilee Sale), ex lot 234 „The Magnificent Collection of imperforate Imprimaturs (1840-1892)“ 
Dr. & Mme. Serval of Belgium Collection, Harmer, 15-16 March 1976, lot 3
Robson Lowe, 21-22 April 1977, lot 2042
Alan Holyoake („MAYFLOWER“) International Grand-Prix Collection 2010

Provenance: For the 1d., TD, Second Imprimatur sheet:
Christies, 17 June 1986, lot 77 (stated to be ex Crawford Collection)
Alan Holyoake („MAYFLOWER“) International Grand-Prix Collection 2010

1d. black, plate 1A, TD, earliest impression showing practically no plate wear, unused with large part original gum, a very rare and exceptional early printing from plate 1A, B.P.A. certificate (1989) (S.G.Cat.: 24‘000)

Note: The stamp must have been printed soon after Plate 1 was registered, but certainly before April 27, 1840, because it shows not as much plate wear as the TD Imprimatur from the Second Imprimatur sheet!

Provenance: Sotheby’s, 11 – 12 May 1989, lot 3
Sir Gawaine Baillie Collection, Sotheby’s, 28 – 30 September 2005, lot 20
Alan Holyoake (‚Mayflower‘) International Grand-Prix Collection (2010)

1d. grey-black, Plate 1A, EH, a late printing from the very worn printing plate 1, large regular margins all round and centrally cancelled with a red Maltese Cross. (S.G.Cat.: GBP 525)

1d. grey-black, plate 1A, OD, a „latest“ printing from the extremely worn plate 1, large to very large margins all round and tied by a neat strike of a bright red Maltese Cross to local London entire, red „T.P. /Edgeware Rd“ Receiving House handstamp on front and „MY 28 1840“ datestamp on reverse. An extremely fine May-Date cover showing the rapid plate wear of the unhardened plate 1 shortly before being withdrawn, extensively re-engraved by re-entering and hardened to continue life as plate 1B. (S.G.Cat. GBP 1.000)

1d. grey-black, Plate 1A, GD, a late printing from the very worn printing plate 1, very large and regular margins all round, tied with a red Maltese Cross to envelope, „RUNCORN“ receiving house handstamp on front and „PRESTON BROOK  AU 3 1840“ c.d.s. on reverse for dispatch, addressed to Bakewell, a highly attractive late usage of the very worn plate 1A, Dr. Enzo Diena certificate (1998) (S.G. Cat.: GBP 1000)

1d. black, plate 1B, HH, unused with large part original gum, large to very large margins with a small part of HG on the left, very fresh, B.P.A. certificate (1978) (S.G. Cat.: GBP 12‘500)

1d. black, plate 2, TI, Imprimatur from the  Second Registration sheet, large to very large margins all round, very fine and rare. R.P.S.L. certificate 1983 (S.G. Cat.: GBP 15.000)

Provenance: Robson Lowe, 21 June 1950, lot 167
Ernest Dale Collection, Stanley Gibbons, 10 – 11 June 1969, lot 26
H.W. Fisher Collection, Phillips, 22 – 23 Sept. 1983, lot 53
Stanley Gibbons, Nov. 1983
Sir Gawaine Baillie Collection, Sotheby’s, 29 Sept.- 1 Oct. 2004, lot 34

1d. black, plate 3, TF, Imprimatur with large to very large margins all round, very rare, only one Imprimatur sheet taken with just 23 singles removed, many of which are in institutional collections! R.P.S.L. certificate (1969) (S.G. Cat.: GBP 18‘000)

Provenance: H.R.Harmer, 21/28 September 1925, lot 350 
Robson Lowe, 5 November 1958, lot 14 (offered as a normal stamp) 
Robson Lowe, 18 February 1959, lot 42 (offered as an Imprimatur)
John Taylor (1969)  

1d. black, plate 4, AH, variety „defective check letter ‚H‘ in lower right corner“, large margins all round, tied by red „CAMELFORD undated town obliteration in addition to red pen cancellation to piece. A very rare obliteration, just ten items with the red CAMELFORD obliteration recorded in the Karl Louis Card Index, of which this with a full strike is certainly among the finest existing. RPSL certificate (1965) (S.G.Cat. GBP 20.000)

Provenance: Wills Collection, Harmer, 7 November 1989, lot 198
Phillips, 2 Sept.1993, lot 159 (illustrated in colour on front cover of auction catalogue)
J.E.Safra Collection, Spink, 5 May 2014, lot 1049

1d. black, plate 5, TL, Imprimatur from the First Registration sheet (before hardening) with corner sheet margins, inscription and plate number „5“, very large margins on the other sides, tiny pin hole under Queen‘s chignon not detracting from the magnificent appearance. A highly important imprimatur. R.P.S.L. certificate (1981)

Provenance: Earl of Crawford (1913)
Colonel A.S.Bates, Harmer, 3 – 5 Dec. 1934, lot 489
Charles Nissen, The British Philatelist, May 1951
Stanley Gibbons (1981)
'TES‘ Collection, Christies, 5 October 1995, lot 238
'Chartwell‘ Collection, Spink, 5 July 2012, lot 70

1d. black, plate 5, LL, large regular margins all round, tied by a black Maltese Cross to entire dated „Frampton April 6th. 1841“, „BOSTON AP 7 1841“ and „FOLKINGHAM AP 8 1841“ c.d.s. on front, addressed to Threekingham nr. Folkingham, extremely fine and fresh. (S.G.Cat.: GBP 775.-)

1d. black, plate 6, LH, very large and regular margins all round, tied by red  Maltese Cross to decorative printed entire of the „Law Life-Assurance Society“ (‚Notice of Renewal‘ inside), „PREPAID“ sender’s handstamp on front, London datestamp „OC 17  1840“ for dispatch on reverse, addressed to Bewdley. Exceptional and of finest possible quality! Dr. Enzo Diena certificate (1991) (S.G.Cat. GBP 775)

1d. black, plate 6, DH, large and regular margins all round, tied by red Maltese Cross to entire, „Fore Street Hill / Penny Post“ and  red „EXETER / NO 2 / PY. POST“ handstamps for dispatch on front, „BRISTOL NO 3 1840“ cds for arrival on reverse. (S.G.Cat.: GBP 775)

Remark: The content (transcript attached) relates to the famous Steam Ship „GREAT WESTERN“ based in Bristol at the time, if the Steamer will lay up for the Winter months, or if she continues to sail during winter time.  An interesting document for collector of Postal & Social History relating to the largest Steamship at the time, the famous GREAT WESTERN.

1d. black, plate 8, TH, Imprimatur with large to very large margins all round, light horizontal crease in the margin at the top not touching design, very rare, only one Imprimatur sheet taken with just 23 singles removed, many of which are in institutional collections, the formerly adjoining 1d, TG, resides in the Tapling Collection (British Library). (S.G.Cat.: GBP 18.000)

Provenance: De La Rue Imprimatur collection (1883) 
Board of Inland Revenue, Robson Lowe, 17 December 1975, lot 1200
'DAISY‘ Collection (Henry Grand), Christies, 8 Oct. 1996, lot 295  
'Golden‘ Collection, Grosvenor, 9 Nov. 2015, lot 16
John W. Phillips Collection, Stanley Gibbons, 18 July 2023, lot 48

1d. black, plate 8, a superb pair, IK-IL, with good to large margins all round, tied by red Maltese Crosses to entire (written on black edged mourning paper inside), endorsed „Paid“ on front at upper left, London „4 JA 1841“ for dispatch and „BRIGHTON JA 5 1841“ (for arrival) handstamps on reverse. A striking cover! Silvano Sorani certificate (1991) (S.G. Cat. approx. GBP 2.500)

1d.black and 1d. red-brown, plate 11, two horizontal pairs  lettered DC-DD, variety  „left corner letter D shows slight doubling on DD“, both pairs with good to large margins all round, each showing trace of adjoining stamp at right, cancelled with black Maltese Crosses. The black pair with insignificant vertical crease through DD, an incredible and unique matched pair, the only such „Matched Pair of Pairs“ recorded in the Karl Louis Card Index. (S.G. Cat. GBP 12.300)

Provenance: J.B. Seymour Collection, Robson Lowe, 7 November 1951, lot 279 (1d. black pair)
Robson Lowe, 12 April 1967, lot 618 (1d. black pair)
Cawardine Collection, Christies, 20 September 2001, lot 1471 (the matched pair)

Official Stamp (Never issued): 1840, VR 1d. black, NL, Imprimatur from the First Registration sheet (before hardening), large margins all round showing small part sheet margin on the right,  R.P.S.L. certificate (2010) wrongly stating ‚after hardening‘ (= Second Registration sheet) because the VR 1d. black Imprimatur lettered NL is still present on the Second Registration sheet, an earlier R.P.S.L. certificate numbered ‚66313‘ (issued 1968) is unfortunately lost  (S.G. Cat.: GBP 20.000)

Provenance: Bonhams, 17 – 18 Febr. 2004, lot 1330 (mentioning R.P.S.L. cert. (1968) offered as a normal printing)

Official Stamp (Never issued) 1840, VR 1d. black, TA, Imprimatur from the lower-left corner of the (before hardening) sheet with Plate Letter ‚A‘ , inscription and pen initials „C.P.“, slight thinning in margin and slight vertical crease, otherwise fine. One of the most important items in the history of the invention of Postage Stamps: The World’s First Postage Stamp that was prepared but not issued! For the other imprimatur (first printing of the world's first postage stamp) registered on 15 April 1840, see lot 303).

Note: Two Imprimatur sheets were registered on 15 April and 9 May 1840. From both sheets the lower left stamp TA was removed, of which the other is housed in the Royal Collection of His Majesty King Charles III.
The manuscript initials „C P“ are of Charles Pressly, Secretary of the Stamp Office. He endorsed on the reverse of the First Registeration Sheet, where this VR 1d. black, TA was removed: : 
„The impression of the other side of this paper of the Die or Plate, intended by the Commissioners of Stamps & Taxes in pursuance of the several powers and authorities vested in them for expressing and denoting the Stamp duty of one penny for the postage of Letters was taken in my presence and in the presence of a Commissioner the 15th. Day of April 1840, Chas. Pressly, Secy.“ 
The manuscript note proves, that this corner sheet single originates from the first printed sheet of the first (re-jected) unissed postage stamp in the world.

Provenance: Leonard H. Clark Collection, Robson Lowe, 29 May 1946, lot 9
'Chartwell‘ collection, Spink, 16 February 2012, lot 208
Simon Beresford-Wylie Collection, 346. Corinphila Auction, 26 Nov. 2024, lot 20021

2d. blue, plate 1, KJ, large to very large and regular margins all round, tied by a red Maltese Cross to double weight entire letter, Edinburgh „JAN 5 1841“ datestamp for dispatch on reverse, addressed to Meigle, stunning fresh and of finest possible quality. R.P.S.L. certificate (1984) (S.G. Cat. GBP 2.500)

2d. blue, plate 1, PB, large margins all round tied by red Maltese Cross to entire, „WELLINGTON SOMERSET  NO … 1840“ c.d.s. for dispatch on front with missing day-slug and year 1840 inserted inverted, to Tiverton, the 2d. with small corner crease at lower left re-affixed for protection and left side flap of entire missing, otherwise in a very fresh state of preservation. (S.G. Cat. GBP 2.500)

2d. blue, plate 1, strip of four, LG-LJ, with large balanced margins all round, cancelled with four superb strikes of a black Maltese Cross, paying the 8d. outbound rate for a Ship Letter from the famous „Thomas MacLear, Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope“ correspondence, „APR  16  1842“ (Edinburgh) for dispatch, „18 APR 1842“ (London Foreign Branch) in transit on reverse and „PAID SHIP LETTER LONDON 18 AP 1842“ in red on front. A fantastic and ‚eye catching‘ Foreign Destination cover of the 1840, 2d. blue, one of just three such Ship Letters to the Cape recorded in the Karl Louis Card Index, all three being mailed between 14th and 18th  April 1842, this being the only cover with a strip of four, the other two frankied with the matching blocks of four B.P.A. certificate (2006)

Provenance:  Dr. Chan Chin Cheung Collection, H.R.Harmer, London, 29 May 1961, lot 79
Wills Collection, Harmer, 7 November 1989, lot 435 (mentioning ‚D.C. Gray' Collection as a further provenance)

1840, 2d. blue, plate 2, horizontal pair, NH-NI, unused with part original gum, close but not touched at upper right corner, otherwise with large to very large margins all round, stunning vibrant colour, two slight  horizontal creases nearly invisible from the front. A magnificent and very rare mint multiple from plate 2, one of the very few recorded unused items from the 2d. plate 2 not originating from the (ungummed and very defective) block, HA/NL, in the Mackay Collection (1898) which was cut up during the last 125 years into singles and smaller multiples. (S.G. Cat.: GBP 100.000)

Provenance: Sidney H. Carter Collection, Harmer, 4 – 5 February 1946, lot 19 (then described „…brilliant part o.g. horizontal pair,…..,slight crease but very fine").

2d. blue, plate 2, block of four, QK/RL, mostly large regular margins all round, only RK cut close at the upper left and minute scissor cut at left between stamps QK and RK, tied with black Maltese Crosses to small piece, a very rare multiple from plate 2, B.P.A. certificate (1996) (S.G. Cat. GBP 22.000)

Provenance: Harmer, 19 February 1935, lot 292
'Daisy‘ Collection (Henry Grand), Christies, 8 October 1996, lot 454
M.A.Sayeed Collection, Spink, May 2002, lot 2329

1d. red-brown, ‚Black Plate‘ 2, LD, good to large margins all round, tied by black Maltese Cross to entire from Edinburgh „9 MAY 1841“ via London „10 MY 1841“ addressed (in error) to St. Lewes, very rare handstamp „MISSENT TO TRURO“ in blue and ms. „St.Ives“, on front „TRURO MY 12 1842“ cds. in blue on reverse. (S.G.Cat. GBP 550 (for 1d. red plate 2))

1d. red-brown, ‚black plate‘ 10, QA / TD, a mint corner marginal block of sixteen showing Plate number ‚10‘ and marginal inscription, variety „Check Letters ‚P‘ converted into ‚R‘ by hand engraving on RA, RB, RC and RD, and TA re-entry, QA, QD and RA with large part, others with full original gum, a very fresh, stunning and important mint multiple. B.P.A. certificate (2013) (S.G. Cat. GBP 50‘000 (as four blocks of 4))

Provenance: E. H. Williams Collection, Harmer, 3 – 4 February 1938, lot 802 (as part of a complete sheet)
Robson Lowe, 26 July 1950, lot 158 (as the block of 16) 
Major-General Sir Frederick Gwatkin Collection, Robson Lowe, 19 February 1960, lot 376
'Chartwell‘ Collection, Spink, 12 December 2012, lot 332

1d. red-brown, Plate 11, Trial Printing on Dickinson Silk Thread Paper, LE-LF, a magnificent unused pair without the usual heavy creasing normally seen on these rare trials, of which only one part sheet (A- to Q- rows) survived from the Rowland Hill Estate. The sheet was exhibited in London in 1881 (ref. Kohl Handbook, written by J.B. Seymour). The part sheet was  cut up before January 1892 as a pair was shown at a Manchester Philatelic Society meeting as a ‚novelty‘. (S.G.Cat. GBP 9.500)

Provenance: Rowland Hill Estate (1879)
Exhibited in London 1881 (incorporated in a sheet or part sheet)
David Feldman, 3 – 8 November 1996, lot 21952

1d. dark red-brown (chocolate shade), Imprimatur, plate 15, TA, lower left corner sheet marginal with inscription and plate number ‚15‘, good to large margins, light vertical crease as can be frequently seen on the Imprimatur sheet corners, exceptional fresh deep-brown shade

Provenance: Leonard H.Clark Collection, Robson Lowe, 29 May 1946, lot 13.

1d. red-brown, Imprimatur, plate 33, AA, upper left corner sheet marginal with inscription and plate number ‚33‘, large margins all round, very fresh.

Provenance: Leonard H. Clark Collection, Robson Lowe, 29 May 1946, lot 29.
Harmer, 26 January 1994, lot 574
‚Chartwell‘ Collection, Spink, 12 December 2012, lot 356

1d. red-brown, Imprimatur, plate 34, AA, upper left corner sheet marginal with inscription and plate number ‚34‘, large margins all round, very fresh.

Provenance: Leonard H. Clark Collection, Robson Lowe, 29 May 1946, lot 30.
‚Chartwell‘ Collection, Spink, 26 June 2011, lot 1221 (offered as a rejoined pair with the 1d. AB)

1d. red-brown, Imprimatur, plate 35, AA, upper left corner sheet marginal with inscription and plate number ‚35‘, large margins all round, very fresh.

Provenance: Leonard H. Clark Collection, Robson Lowe, 29 May 1946, lot 31.
‚DAISY‘ Collection, Christies, 8 October 1996, lot 474.

1d. red-brown, Imprimatur, plate 51, AA, upper left corner sheet marginal with inscription and plate number ‚51‘, large margins all round, very fresh.

Provenance: Leonard H. Clark Collection, Robson Lowe, 29 May 1946, lot 47.
‚Chartwell‘ Collection, Spink, 16  February 2012, lot 270

1d. red-brown, Imprimatur, plate 51, AL, upper right corner sheet marginal with inscription and plate number ‚51‘, large margins all round, very fresh and attractive.

Provenance: Earl of Crawford Collection (1913)
Col. A.S. Bates Collection, Harmer, 3-5 December 1934, ex lot 509
Heath Collection, Robson Lowe, 14 February 1962, lot 210
‚Chartwell‘, Spink, 5 July 2012, lot 296