Harwoods envelopes essay in Green submitted by Charles Whiting, lovely fresh colour; folded through the centre in no way affecting the very fine appearance, rare (S.G. from £2'500). (Image)

1839 Treasury Competition: Charles Whiting "1 Penny Post Office" essay in red and blue on thin white paper, as upper right design of fig. 15 in SG Spec, a very fine example with four clear margins. (Image)

1839 Treasury Competition: Charles Whiting "1 Penny Post Office" essay in green and red on thin white paper, as upper right design of fig. 15 in SG Spec, a very fine example with four clear margins. (Image)

The First (Later Rejected) Die for the 1d: 1919 Perkins Bacon reprint on Small Star watermarked paper in orange- brown, very rare (SG from £10,000). (Image)

1840 Background trial essay, a very fine example of the 1935 E.D Bacon reprint in purple on white wove paper, the original trials by Perkins Bacon were to determine the background engraving to be used on the forthcoming 1d black and 2d blue, rarely seen i (Image)

1840 1d ìRainbow Trialsî state 1 of the sheet of 12, a lower left corner pair in orange-red, very fresh, rare (S.G. £7'000). (Image)

1840 1d ìRainbow Trialsî state 2 1d in lilac-pink on white paper dipped in prussiate of potash, top marginal with close to huge margins, stunning showpiece. (Image)

1840 1d Red-Brown Rainbow Trial (state 3) imperforate horizontal pair from the right of the sheet on white wove paper, showing part of the paper makers watermark; very fresh and fine. Rare. (Image)

IMPORTANT DIE PROOF FROM THE ORIGINAL DIE 1d black Original (approved) Die, later Perkins Bacon die proof with ì1 / OLD ORIGINALî engraved below, in black on wove, early impression showing no discernible wear, minor thinning well away from design, fresh (Image)

1886 Royal Reprints, matching horizontal marginal inscription pairs lettered OK-OL, black pair (regummed) with wmk inverted, some creasing on both, scarce (SG £9,500 as singles) (Image)

1841 2d blue trial without corner letters, top marginal single from a trial sheet of twelve which were produced for application to postal notices informing Postmasters of the forthcoming issue, very fine (S.G. £1'500). (Image)

1850 Prince Consort Essay by Archer, 1d black, slight crease, mint, four good margins, very fine and scarce (SG £3,000). (Image)

1837 William Wyon City Medal in bronze, 55mm, to celebrate Victoria's first visit to the City of London after her accession to the throne, one side showing the Queen's head which was the model for the head on the line-engraved postage stamps of 1840ñ79, i (Image)