THE UNIQUE UNUSED "COTTON REEL" 8 CENTS
THE RAREST UNUSED STAMP OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
1850-51, 8 cents black on blue-green, Townsend Type C, faint initials "JBS", thin frame, uncancelled, cut round showing most of the frame, stained from sealing wax and mild vertical crease of absolutely no significance for a rarity of this worldwide calibre; (unpriced in SG).
Only four "Cotton Reels" in unused condition are recorded, of which three represent the 12 cents denomination, this example being clearly the most important as it is the only recorded for the 8 cents denomination.
THE RAREST UNUSED STAMP OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND ONE OF THE GREAT GEMS OF WORLDWIDE PHILATELY. Its importance may be compared to the unused "Missionary" 2 cents of Hawaii (sold in 2018 by Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries for $525'000 plus buyer's premium).
Expertise: Cert. Brandon (2014) (Image)
Opening GBP 70,000.00
Sold...GBP 70,000.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 70000
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70864
Symbol: H
Cat No: 5
1850 12c blue cotton reel (type B and A) medium wove paper, horizontal pair, initialled "E.T.E.D(alton)", unique cut square pair in private hands, no creases; signed Their and Hunziker, cert. Brandon (2008) and Behr (2016), ex Ferrari (sale II lot 197) and "Tatiana". (Image)
Opening GBP 40,000.00
Sold...GBP 36,000.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 36000
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70865
Symbol: H
Cat No: 5
1850-51, 12 cents black on blue, Townsend Type B, with initials of postal clerk Lorimer "WHL", cut square with close to good margins on three sides, showing central Demerara datestamp of 22 October 1850, central thin spot, very rare; (SG £35'000).
Provenance:
John E. du Pont (Lot 60016, David Feldman SA, June 2014)
Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)
Opening GBP 3,000.00
Sold...GBP 7,500.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 7500
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70866
Symbol: H
Cat No: 7
1850-51, 12 cents black on pale blue, Townsend Type B, with initials of postal clerk Wight "EDW", cut octagonally with almost clear to large margins all round, with ideal strike of 29 July 1851 Demerara datestamp, "two shallow thins" mentioned in the certificate, but we are of the opinion that these could be due to translucency caused by the gum from a previous hinge, as no paper abrasion is to be seen (actually in the Caspary sale this stamp was described as "very fine"); (SG £13'000).
One of the finest of just seven cut-octagonally single examples in private hands.
Provenance:
Alfred H. Caspary (Lot 204, Harmers, May 1957)
John E. du Pont (Lot 60023, David Feldman SA, June 2014)
Expertise: Pemberton guarantee hs and signed Bloch, Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)
Opening GBP 3,000.00
Sold...GBP 6,500.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 6500
1852 Waterlow (SG 9-10)
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70867
Symbol: C
Cat No: 9
THE FINEST SINGLE EXAMPLE WITH ORIGINAL GUM
1852 Waterlow 1 cent black on magenta, clear to very large margins with part sheet margin at left, unused with almost complete original gum, resplendent colour, pressed vertical crease at right mentioned in the BPA certificate, which in our opinion could be caused during the printing process as the gum is not affected by the crease (in the Ferrary and Hind sales this stamp was described as superb), exceptionally fresh and without any of the usual rubbing; (SG £15'000).
Exceedingly rare in this wonderful state of preservation, with only two examples without faults or major faults recorded (both offered in this sale), and the finest single known with original gum.
Provenance:
Philipp von Ferrary (Lot 209, Sale II, October 1921, "superbe")
Arthur Hind (Lot 99, H. R. Harmer, Second Sale, May 1934, "superb")
Dale-Lichtenstein (Lot 410, H. R. Harmer, February 1969, bought in that sale by Stanley Gibbons)
Claude Cartier (Lot 27, Stanley Gibbons, April 1977)
John E. du Pont (Lot 60032, David Feldman SA, June 2014)
Expertise: Signed Bloch, Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)
Opening GBP 6,000.00
Sold...GBP 7,500.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 7500
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70868
Symbol: H
Cat No: 10
1852, 4c black on deep blue, used with neat Demerara JAN 17 1853 cds, frameline just cut into at foot other wise fine to good margins, repair at top with small portion of stamp put back in place, couple of creases and thinned, the surface of the stamp in better condition than often seen with very little abrasions, and inspite of the faults still an attractive example of a rare stamp (S.G £11'000). (Image)
Opening GBP 1,000.00
Sold...GBP 1,900.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 1900
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70870
Symbol: H
Cat No: 10
THE FINEST KNOWN PAIR
1852 Waterlow 4 cent black on deep blue, a remarkable horizontal pair displaying a very fresh deep colour, with good to large margins all around, cancelled by light Demerara datestamp on 31 December 1852, pinhole at foot of right stamp, some pencil marks and overpainting on small surface blemishes, in no way detracting and being minor imperfections in this issue; (SG £24'000 as singles).
Only five pairs are recorded in private hands, which represent the largest multiple recorded, this being of remarkably superior quality (the other pairs are affected by cut in margins).
Provenance:
Philipp von Ferrary (Lot 41, Sale I, June 1921)
Alfred H. Caspary (Lot 219, H.R.Harmer, May 1957)
Maurice Burrus (Lot 29, Robson Lowe, November 1963)
John E. du Pont (Lot 60046, David Feldman SA, June 2014)
Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)
Opening GBP 8,000.00
Sold...GBP 7,000.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 7000
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70871
Symbol: F
Cat No: 10
THE EARLIEST COVER SENT ABROAD BEARING A BRITISH GUIANA STAMP
1852 Waterlow 4 cent black on deep blue, a marginal example from the right of the sheet, showing complete to huge margins on three sides, used on 27 January 1852 cover to London, tied by light Demerara datestamp ("7" of "27" omitted, with a further strike on flap having the "7" inserted by pen), charged one shilling packet postage in London, stamp with left frame line very slightly touched and the lower right corner showing a small tear which is confined to the sheet margin and does not impinge on the design.
The only cover recorded bearing this rarity sent to a foreign destination, and of much greater significance, the earliest external British Guiana mail franked with postage stamps, as well as, with the exception of Brazil, the earliest transatlantic bearing a South American stamp. Without doubt, one of the most significant covers in existence crossing the Atlantic from South America.
Provenance:
William Augustus Townsend (Lot 19, Harmer's, October 1969)
Small (Lot 24, Robson Lowe, March 1970)
John E. du Pont (Lot 60051, David Feldman SA, June 2014)
Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)
Opening GBP 12,000.00
Sold...GBP 10,000.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 10000
1853 Waterlow Lithographs (SG 11-21)
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70872
Symbol: J,DCE
Cat No: 20
THE MOST VALUABLE UNUSED LARGE MULTIPLE OF BRITISH GUIANA
1855 Waterlow lithographed 4 cents pale blue, the extraordinary unused block of thirty-one, showing the three transfer types and featuring mixed types in the last vertical column, very fresh colour, sheet margin at right, the block has been folded in places resulting in one tear in the second horizontal row affecting two stamps, and some thinnings; (SG £77,500 as singles).
By far the largest multiple known of any classic imperforate issue of British Guiana, considered as the most valuable unused large multiple of the Colony.
Note:
The 1857 Four Cents second setting stone of 100 subjects was composed of horizontal transfer strips of 3, made from types 5+6+7 from the previous, now unusable stone. The first nine vertical columns repeat the transfer strips regularly, the last column (at right) was made up of single transfers as shown in the diagram. The first nine columns of the sheet are always A-B-C+A-B-C+A-B-C.
As stated in the March 1974 Robson Lowe "The Rarity Sale", Mr. Neville Stocken, in his work "Stamps of Great Price", provided the following information about this item: "...one of some pieces unearthed by Sir Charles T. Cox , K.C.M.G., when Governor of British Guiana. It was a brilliant block and although like most large blocks of such an age, it had been folded and not too carefully preserved, it constitutes an item of outstanding beauty and interest".
This gem was displayed at the Royal Jubilee Exhibition of British Empire Stamps of the Victorian Era, organised by and held by the Royal Philatelic Society, London, May 1935.
Provenance:
A. W. Cox
David Bernhard
Edward T. Granger
Frederick T. Small (Lot 96, Robson Lowe, March 1970, estimated at £10,000, the equivalent to more than £150,000 today), showing his "Comet" hs on reverse
John E. du Pont (Lot 60068, David Feldman SA, June 2014)
Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)
Opening GBP 24,000.00
Sold...GBP 22,000.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 22000
1856 Provisionals (SG 23-27)
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70873
Symbol: DCE
Cat No: 24
THE FINEST UNUSED 4 CENTS MAGENTA
1856 Provisional 4 cents black on magenta, Type 4, initials of postal clerk Wight "EDW", unused example with massive even margins, deep fresh colour and all details of design complete and clear; small surface thin which has been touched up and it is confined to the margin in lower right corner, being of little significance as it could be cut away clear of the design, resulting in a sound-condition example and still being a full margined stamp; (SG £100'000).
A marvellous example which is the finest available of this stamp. Of the just eight unused stamps recorded in private hands, this is the only one having the area of the design in perfect condition. One of the great gems of British Guiana and worldwide philately.
Note: Illustrated in colour in the two central pages of the renowned "Life" magazine of May 1954 dedicated to the "World's Rarest Stamps".
Provenance:
Philipp von Ferrary (Lot 191, Sale X, June 1924)
Frederick T. Small (Lot 63, Robson Lowe, March 1979, “a remarkable unused example")
John E. du Pont (Lot 60081, David Feldman SA, June 2014)
Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014)
Census of unused examples in private hands:
- Ex Ferrary, King Farouk and "Bartica"; creases, thinning and retouching
- Ex Caspary and Lilly; vertical crack strengthened on back
- Ex Burrus; (not being the rose-carmine as described in the Spink Sale 11.5.2010), faults caused by ink erosion of initials
- Ex "Tatiana"; repaired large tear
- Ex Gilbert; octagonal cut and horizontal & vertical creases
- Currently in the Maisel collection; some creases in bottom right corner
- Ex Luder-Edelmann Auctions (24 September 1928, "part of gum insign. thinning and original paperfold")
- Ex Du Pont, the example presented here, unique with the area of the stamp itself without faults (Image)
Opening GBP 24,000.00
Sold...GBP 22,000.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 22000
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70874
Symbol: F
Cat No: 24
THE EARLIEST COVER RECORDED OF THE 1856 TYPE-SET ISSUE
1856 Provisional 4 cents black on magenta, initials of postal clerk Wight "EDW", cut octagonally, very fresh and in brilliant colour, used on cover from Plantation Caledonia to London (full letter inside regarding cost of coolies), prepaying the inland letter rate as denoted by "Paid 4 Cts", posted at Wakenaam with "BG W" cds on 7 February 1856, stamp then cancelled in transit by Demerara datestamp on 8 February (trace of tie at top of stamp), letter subsequently charged "6" for sixpence Uniform Packet rate in London (arrival 20 March on flap); (SG £75'000).
The earliest known cover of any stamp from this whole issue. Fourteen covers are recorded bearing this stamp (four offered in this sale), this having the added significance of being one of just two sent abroad and one of the finest of all. One of the great highlights of this collection, an exhibition showpiece.
Provenance:
William Augustus Townsend (Lot 56, Harmer's, October 1969)
R. A. Siegel "Rarities of the World" sale (1976)
John E. du Pont (Lot 60077, David Feldman SA, June 2014)
Expertise: Signed Kosack (Philipp Kosack was a pre-WWII German dealer), Cert. BPA (2014)
Census of covers according to our records:
- 7 February 1856, cut octagonally, ex Du Pont, (the item presented here)
- 24 March 1856, cut octagonally, ex Caspary and "Bartica"
- 12 April 1856, octagonal cut, currently in a private collection
- 2 May 1856, cut square, money letter, currently in a private collection
- 10 May 1856, cut octagonally, coded cds and sent to London, "C. M." collection
- 13 May 1856, cut square, bearing two examples, ex Ferrary, Granger, T. Small and currently in a private collection
- 6 June 1856, cut square, ex Ferrary and Du Pont (offered in this sale)
- 26 June 1856 (?), cut hexagonally, repaired, Siegel Rarities Auction 1965
- 11 July 1856, cut octagonally, in mixed franking with G.B., ex dale-Lichtenstein and currently in a private collection
- 11 July 1856, cut octagonally, ex du Pont (offered in this sale)
- 30 July 1856, cut octagonally, village postmark, ex Du Pont (offered in this sale)
- (Unreadable coded postmark), cut square, repaired at left, ex Luder-Edelmann Auction (lot 3319, November 1925)
- (Unknown year) April or August, cut octagonally, sent to Essequebo, ex Hind
- (Unknown date), cut square, restored on two sides, ex Bolyn (Image)
Opening GBP 24,000.00
Sold...GBP 28,000.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 28000
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70875
Symbol: F
Cat No: 26
THE FAMOUS "HOPE" COVER
THE UNIQUE 4 CENTS BLACK ON BLUE COVER
1856 Provisional 4 cents black on blue surface glazed paper, initials of postal clerk Wight "EDW", cut octagonally with good margins all around, being an outstanding quality example, used on cover to Sophia's Hope Estate in Mahaicony, very lightly cancelled by village datestamp of Williamstown "A 3 C OC 30 1856" (matching strike on reverse), Demerara transit over flap, originating from the Barlow correspondence; (SG 450'000).
The only known cover with this stamp, being of great significance as this is one of the rarest stamps of British Guiana, representing the most important item of this issue, and one of the outstanding covers of British Guiana. Without doubt, a great exhibition and world rarity.
Provenance:
William Augustus Townsend (Lot 59, Harmer's, Oct. 1970)
John E. du Pont (Lot 60089, David Feldman SA, June 2014)
Expertise: "Pemberton Wilson & Co" dealer's signature applied before 1892 (when the London company was sold to Theodor Buhl), signed J.-F. Brun, Cert. BPA (2014) (Image)
Opening GBP 120,000.00
Sold...GBP 120,000.00
Closed..Dec-08-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 120000
British Guiana
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 61129
Symbol: H
Cat No: 7
1850-51, 12 cents black on pale blue, with initials of postal clerk Wight "EDW", cut square (cut into and just touched to close margins), cancelled by the Berbice datestamps (we have recorded nine cut-square examples in private hands), in exceptional premium quality for this issue despite the close margins, signed Roumet (SG £40'000). (Image)
Opening GBP 3,000.00
Sold...GBP 3,000.00
Closed..Dec-07-2022, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 3000
Later Issues 1862 Type-set Provisional Issue (SG 116-124) » Two
Sale No: 22DG
Lot No: 70876
Symbol: H
Cat No: 119
1862 Type-set Provisional Issue (SG 116-124) » Two Cent "Beetle" Type Frame. 1862 Provisionals 2 cent black on yellow, roulette 6, type A, used, small tear at left, very scarce; (SG £450).
Provenance: John E. du Pont (Image)
