Letter Sheet 1d black SG ME1 Stereo 'A80' 1840 (July 25) usage from 'PRESTON' to Blackpool via 'LEEDS', worn boxed 'Gomersall/Penny Post' h/s on the face, redirected to "Halifax/Yorkshire" with largely very fine unframed 'Blackpool/Penny Post' h/s but taxed "2", apparently for 1d redirection fee + fine, some aging but with very fine facial appearance, Cat £550.
Sale No: 249
Lot No: 2916
Symbol: PS
Cat No: ME1 Stereo
Letter Sheet 1d black SG ME1 Stereo 'A9' with printed advertising for 'THE SCOTTISH PROVIDENCE INSTITUTION FOR ASSURANCES AND ANNUITIES ON LIVES' in blue covering the entire inside panels including "specimens" of tables of premiums, used 1840 (Sept 23) to Portsmouth from Edinburgh with superb strike of a Maltese Cross in red on the face, very fine red wax seal, a couple of very minor blemishes mostly where seal opened, Spec Cat from £850. [Bill Barrell lists a similar item for sale at £225 described as "unfortunately rather damaged but believed to be the only example so far recorded"]
Sale No: 249
Lot No: 2917
Symbol: PS
Cat No: ME2 Stereo
Envelope 1d black SG ME2 Stereo 'A159', 1840 (May 6) usage to Liverpool with '.../1D PAID' handstamp (the first line is indistinct) & superb strike of a Maltese Cross in red, the reverse with clearly legible London cds ' B / MY-6/1840' which was the First Day of Issue, a few minor thins & the flaps slightly truncated, light overall soiling, Spec Cat from £18,000. An attractive example of one of the World's First 'First Day Covers', making this a most significant item. PTS Expertising Certificate (2022) states "...is genuine".
Sale No: 249
Lot No: 2918
Symbol: PS
Cat No: ME2 Stereo
Envelope 1d black SG ME2 Stereo 'A149', 1840 (Jane 2) usage to Golden Square with largely very fine 'TP/Stamford Hill' London Local Post h/s and superb strike of a Maltese Cross in red on the face, London boxed arrival b/s in red, minor aging marks mostly on reverse, Cat £550. With the introduction of pre-paid stationery (and stamps), the use of such markings as 'TP' [Twopenny Post] here and '1D PAID' in the previous lot became redundant. However, old habits die hard.
Sale No: 249
Lot No: 2919
Symbol: PS
Cat No: ME3 Stereo
Letter Sheet 2d blue SG ME3 Stereo 'a104' with manuscript "Specimen" across the address-panel, shallow thin on the reverse & a few minor blemishes, Spec Cat £5500 with 'SPECIMEN' handstamp; unpriced with manuscript "Specimen". PTS Expertising Certificate (2022) states "...appears contemporary but not by one of the four known hands...is Genuine".
Letter Sheet 2d blue SG ME3, 1841 (Dec 29) usage to Dover with bold Maltese Cross in black & indistinct cds b/s, light London transit b/s in red & 'DE30/1841' arrival b/s, the stereo number lost on opening, minor internal repair with archival tape & some hinge adhesions on the reverse, Cat £2400; plus 1d Envelope with faults still a presentable spacefiller.
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Sale No: 249
Lot No: 2921
Symbol: PS
Cat No: ME4 Stereo
Envelope 2d blue SG ME4 Stereo 'a208', a brilliant proof-like impression, cut from the sheet with large to huge margins on three sides, upper-right corner detached and repaired with a hinge otherwise very fine unused and, remarkably, unfolded, Cat £450. PTS Expertising Certificate (2022), submitted because we believed it might be a proof, but apparently not.
Sale No: 249
Lot No: 2922
Symbol: PS
Cat No: ME4 Stereo
Envelope 2d blue SG ME4 Stereo 'a203' and Letter Sheets 1d black Stereo 'A64' & 2d blue Stereo 'a91' plus 1843 Envelope 1d pink issued to replace the Mulreadies, all unused, the Mulreadies with a few folds & blemishes, Cat £1200+.
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Sale No: 249
Lot No: 2923
Symbol: C
Cat No: Collection
CARICATURES: 1890s (circa) Deraedemaeker reprints in black on buff stock of Fores's 'Hunting Envelope' & 'Christmas Envelope', Southgate's 'Ladies' (on yellow), 'Pickwick Papers', 'Celebrations' with music & beer & 'Letters' with postman trying to deliver to man on gallows, plus an unattributed envelope designed by WJ Linton depicting a snake below Britannia (possibly original?), mostly fine to very fine unused.
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