DENMARK The Unique 1851 2RBS Used Block of Four 1851 2RBS deep blue, the extraordinary used block of four of deep rich colour, Thiele printing (typographed burelage) from Plate II, positions 1-2/11-12, cliché types 1-4, with position 2 showing the major recurring variety “Foot of 2 nearly dis-joined” (occurring once in each type group of 10). Margins trimmed on three sides (including at top and at left by post office clerk, to prevent possible forgery made on the unprinted margins), large margins at base and lightly cancelled by Copenhagen “1” numerals in black, a sound and attractive multiple in all respects. A major rarity of Scandinavian philately, being the only known used block of four. Expertise: Certified Postiljonen, Nielsen and Möller, Provenance: Dr. Gene Scott and Peer Lorentzen and a vital showpiece in the exhibit collections of each. Estimate : € 24’000 – € 30’000 (Image)

Largest Known Multiple of the First Issue 1855 4sk Blue used BLOCK OF 39, plated as coming from pane B, positions 11-50 (thus comprising nearly a fifth of the printing plate of 200!) and neatly cancelled by numerals “306” in concentric circles, used at Trondheim. The block was discovered at Trondheim’s Central Railroad Station, affixed to a parcel of documents to the USA which had been returned as undeliverable – and then forgotten for about 75 years! The “Trondheim” block was first exhibited at the 1930 Oslo International Philatelic exhibition, and confirmed the recently published plating of the 1855 4 Skilling by Jellestad and Odfjell. As can be expected from such a large used multiple, there are faults including trivial creases and tears which certainly do not detract from its stunning, vibrant appearance. Without doubt the most important philatelic item of Norway, and a major world rarity. Exhibited: Oslo 1930 & 2005 (75th & 150th anniversary exhibitions) New York 1996 Anphilex “Aristocrats of Philately,” London 1997 & Monaco 1997 “Rare Stamps of the World” exhibitions Literature: “Handbok over Norges Frimerker” (1963, vol. I, p. 61) Provenance: Pieter Ahl Estimate: € 200’000 – € 300’000 (Image)

ROMANIA 1858 54 Parale green on blue green, sharp impression with ample to large margins, tied to piece by superb strike of the “DOROHOI / MOLDOVA / 24/10” double-circle ds in blue, also shows partial “RECI(PISSE)” at right, a spectacular and very rare showpiece Expertise: Signed Gilbert & Köhler, A.Diena, W.Balasse Certificate Heimbüchler (mentions trivial corner crease outside design) Background: Heimbüchler census no. 310/4 (“perfect”); of the three 54 Parale with the Dorohoi cancellation, one is also on fragment (ex Tomasini), and the third is an octagonally-cut example on cover Estimate: € 10’000 – € 15’000 (Image)

1858 54 Parale green on blue green, a magnificent example, sharp impression and large to enormous margins all around, cancelled by crisp “ROMAN / MOLDOVA / 8.5” small double-circle ds, insignificant crease at top right corner well away from design, one of the finest used examples and a great rarity used from Roman Expertise: Signed G.Bolaffi & A.Diena Certificate Heimbüchler Background: Heimbüchler census no. 352/1, without doubt the finest of the 9 recorded with the Roman datestamp (two of which are thin, and 4 have very small margins) Provenance: Mondolfo, 1966 Tomasini Estimate: € 10’000 – € 15’000 (Image)

ROMANIA 1858 54 Parale green on blue green, a wonderful example, sharp impression with large even margins all around, cancelled by crisp “TEKUTSCH / MOLDOVA / 18.8” small double-circle ds, insignificant vertical bend at right well away from design, extremely fine rarity used from Tekutsch Expertise: Signed Köhler & G.Bolaffi Certificate Fulpius & Heimbüchler Background: Heimbüchler census no. 354/2; only 12 of this value recorded with the Tekutsch datestamp, four are on cover and another two are in the Tapling collection at the British Library, with another noted as defective – leaving just 5 off cover recorded in sound condition Provenance: Tomasini Estimate: €10’000 – €15’000 (Image)

1858 108 Parale blue on pink, extremely fine example, sharp impression in deep black, good to large margins all around, neatly tied by crisp “JASSY / MOLDOVA / 29.10” small double-circle cds in blue to complete registered entire addressed to Galatz, showing straight line blue “RECEPISSE” alongside, smearing of original registered number corrected, a stunningly colourful & beautiful example of this rarity on cover Expertise: Signed Giulio Bolaffi, A.Bolaffi, A.Diena & S.Sorani Certificates Giulio Bolaffi, A.Diena & Heimbüchler Background: Heimbüchler census no. 404/10; of 30 recorded covers or fronts with this value, 14 have not been seen since 1950 and another one is in a museum Provenance: John Lek, 1959 Tomasini, 1969 Estimate: € 50’000 – € 60’000 (Image)

1858-61 40 Parale blue on bluish paper, a fantastic strip of four neatly cancelled by “BAKEU / MOLDOVA / 16.5” cds in blue, an outstanding showpiece of the highest quality & an extremely rare used multiple Estimate: € 2’000 – € 3’000 (Image)

1858-61 40 Parale Blue on greyish white paper, a superb single with truly enormous margins, neatly tied to fragment by “FRANCO / GALATZ” ribbon handstamp, a wonderful gem, signed G.Bolaffi and opinion Heimbüchler (2008; “Perfektem Zustand”) Estimate: € 800 – € 1’200 (Image)

One of the Rarest Classic Stamps of Europe 1858-61 80 Parale Red on greenish-blue paper, an impressive unused example of this Second Issue rarity, mint with full brownish original gum, very large even margins all around, stunningly fresh, a superb item for the true connoisseur of quality as well as rarity Expertise: Certificate A. Diena (as blue pelure paper) and Heimbüchler (2008; see “Note” below) Note: the Heimbüchler certificate clearly states this stamp is NOT on the “normal” lilac-bluish paper, which is exceptionally rare (reportedly 3 unused known), but on an even scarcer unrecorded greenish-blue paper, “Possibly a rare shade between, which happened when different papers were bought and used by the printing office.” Such a distinction is primarily of academic interest. In any case, it is NOT the yellowish-white paper on which nearly all unused examples are found, and may well be UNIQUE on this shade of blue paper. Background: Heimbüchler (Handbook I) states, “the 80 parale on bluish paper is surprisingly rare…even rarer than the unused 81 parale of the first Moldavia issue” (only 35 recorded, with only 25 seen since 1950). Provenance: Tomasini Estimate: € 20’000 – € 30’000 (Image)

1858-61 80 Parale red on white paper, a large margined unused pair with full original gum, showing partial impression of a third stamp between the pair, hinge thin, usual gum tones & wrinkles, the UNIQUE example of this variety, an indispensable showpiece Provenance: Rothschild Estimate: € 6’000 – € 8’000 (Image)

1858-61 80 Parale red on white paper, left sheet marginal pair neatly tied to folded registered cover to Fokschani by “FRANCO / GALATZ” ribbon handstamp in red, with “GALATZ / MOLDOVA / 17.11” cds in red alongside, plus “FOKSCHANI / MOLDOVA / 18.11” arrival bs in green, a showpiece Estimate: € 2’000 – € 3’000 (Image)

1858-61 80 Parale red on white paper, superb single with astounding margins all around, neatly tied to large part registered folded cover to Jassy by sharp “FRANCO / GALATZ / N0.2” oval handstamp in black, with “GALATZ / MOLDOVA / 14.3” cds & straight line “RECEPISSE” alongside, with “JASSY / MOLDOVA / 17.3” arrival cds, extremely fine & scarce, signed G.Bolaffi and A.Diena Estimate: € 3’000 – € 4’000 (Image)

1858-61 80 Parale red on white paper, even margins, neatly tied to 1860 folded cover to Jassy by “FRANCO / GALATZ / No.2” fancy oval handstamp in blue, with “GALATZ / MOLDOVA / 22.5” cds alongside, with red “JASSY / MOLDOVA / 25.5” bs, extremely fine & scarce Estimate: € 800 – € 1’200 (Image)

1858-61 80 Parale red on white paper, large to very large margined single neatly tied to 1861 folded cover to Jassy by “FRANCO / GALATZ” ribbon handstamp in black with “GALATZ / MOLDOVA / 18.5” cds alongside, with “JASSY / MOLDOVA / 20.5” arrival bs, appears to be double weight letter rate rather than registered, extremely fine & quite attractive Estimate: € 800 – € 1’200 (Image)

1858-61 80 Parale brown red on white paper, a stunning unused single with full original gum, enormous margins and fresh vivid colour, printed from the second state of the die (“type II”), an exquisite gem Estimate: € 700 – € 1’000 (Image)