1895 (July 22): The complete set of ten values used, the ½ d. with fault, otherwise a very fine set with largely clear (and typically heavy in some cases) circular datestamps (Aug 18, Aug 19, Oct 8, 1895 and Feb 21, 1896). A scarce set used Gi = £ 425. (Image 1) (Image)

1895 (July 22): 10 c. orange-red, an unused horizontal pair, corner marginal from upper left corner of the sheet, variety "Imperforate", aging particularly in margin and not affecting the adhesives, large part og. A very scarce positional pair from the one sheet issued Gi = £ 3'000.  (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1906 (Oct 1): Labuan 2 c. on 3 c. black & sepia, perf. 13½, overprinted 'BRUNEI.' in red, a used example showing variety "Line through "B" of LABUAN" (Row 5, stamp 10), of fresh colour, lightly cancelled in black leaving the variety clear. Scarce Gi = £ 600. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Sale No: 274
Lot No:4507
Symbol:Cat No:Collection

1906 (Oct 1): Labuan 2 c. on 3 c. black & sepia in a horizontal strip of three, 4 c. black & yellow in a horizontal strip of four and single 10 c. on 16 c. green & brown overprinted 'BRUNEI.' in red, used on registered 1908 cover to Tandjongpoera, Netherlands East Indies tied by BRUNEI datestamps in violet (Sept 30). Reverse with violet BRUNEI registration cachet, Labuan cds, Singapore cds (Oct 12), "Postagent / Singapore" cds (Oct 12) and Tandjongpoera arrival (Oct 16). An unusual and most attractive cover.rnrnProvenance: Collection "Jacqui O", RL, London, 19 Nov 1980, lot 1076.rn                     Harmers, London, 10 March 1998, lot 1022. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Sale No: 274
Lot No:4508
Symbol:Cat No:Collection

1906 (Oct 1): Labuan 2 c. on 3 c. black & sepia, a single and a horizontal strip of three, 8 c. black & vermilion in a horizontal strip of three and 10 c. on 16 c. green & brown all used on 1908 registered cover to Singapore tied by BRUNEI datestamps (Nov 30) in violet. Registration cachet in violet alongside and reverse with Labuan transit cd (Dec1) and Singapore arrival (Dec 4). A splendid and rare cover.rnrnProvenance: Collection "Jacqui O", RL, London, 19 Nov 1980, lot 1077.rn                     Harmers, London, 10 March 1998, lot 1024. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Sale No: 274
Lot No:4509
Symbol:Cat No:Collection

1906 (Oct 1): Labuan 2 c. on 3 c. black & sepia, perf. 13½, overprinted 'BRUNEI.' in red, variety "BRUNEI. Double", a horizontal pair used on reverse of registered cover to Labuan additionally franked by four 3 c. black & sepia, one defective and 1907 1 c. grey-lack & pale green pair all tied by BRUNEI datestamps in blue (April 2) with Labuan arrival cds (April 3) in black. Some peripheral aging, the cover sensibly opened for Exhibit display but most extraordinary and unique. Signed Holcombe, Herbert Bloch. Cert. Holcombe (1998) Gi = £ 5'000+ off cover.rnrnProvenance: Collection King Carol of Romania. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Sale No: 274
Lot No:4510
Symbol:Cat No:Collection

1906: De La Rue composite Essay for the 25 c. value, inset in thick card (80 x 95 mm.) with the frame in emerald-green overlaid on the vignette in green (manuscript at top "Not to be followed for View" in pencil), the Duty Plate "25 c" being hand-drawn in pencil on background of Chinese white. Dated at top "June 7th 06" in ink and further manuscript at base "To be printed in 2 colours as design in 2 colours". The duplicate Proof (held by De La Rue) is illustrated in "The De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP on page 2414, this example shown to the Crown Agents, who accepted the bicoloured design on June 14, 1906. A wonderful and unique Essay.rnrnProvenance: De La Rue archives, RL, 1976.rn                   Christie's, London, 1994. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Sale No: 274
Lot No:4511
Symbol:Cat No:Collection

1906: De La Rue Die Proof for the central vignette engraved in black on glazed white card (46 x 46 mm.) in deep black shade with faint printer's guidelines in surround. Not illustrated in "The De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP, but undoubtedly for the first issue and similar to  the blank Duty Plate Die Proof illustrated on page 2418. Rare. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Sale No: 274
Lot No:4512
Symbol:Cat No:Collection

1906: De La Rue Die Proof for the central vignette engraved in black on glazed white card (44 x 50 mm.)with clear printer's guidelines in surround, dated at top "16 JUL 1906" in blue. Not illustrated in "The De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP, but undoubtedly for the first issue and pulled a month after the Essays were accepted by the Crown Agents. A delightful and rare Proof. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)