1857 1p-1sh Black Heraldic An impressive and rarely offered complete set of trial colour plate proofs printed in black on white card; includes both dies of the 3 pence stamp, each with fresh colour and showing well clear to mainly large margins. A very difficult set to assemble as only one sheet (see below) for each denomination was ever printed; offers an excellent opportunity to acquire the set which had been carefully "hand-picked" by owner over a span of many years, VF-XF

Size of the sheet for each denomination as follow:
1p (120), 2p (20), 3p (80), 4p (20), 5p (40), 6p (20), 6½p (20), 8p (20) and 1sh (20). (Image)

Cat. Value 7900 $

1857 1p Black Heraldic Trial colour plate proof block of four printed in black on white card, sheet margin at left; faint horizontal crease on lower pair, a very scarce block originating from the only sheet printed, VF (Image)

Cat. Value 1600 $

1857 1p Brown Violet on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate A brilliant mint block of ten with rich colour, characteristic dull white original gum, five stamps are NEVER HINGED. Such large multiples of Newfoundland's first stamp are increasingly difficult to find, VF LH (Image)

Cat. Value 3200 $

1857 2p Scarlet Vermilion on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate A spectacular left margin used single of this very difficult classic stamp, this is the only sheet margin example we have seen after extensive research for anything comparable. Unusually large margins on other sides, along with exceptional colour and a remarkably strong, well-etched engraving on fresh paper, neat oval barred cancellation. An irresistible stamp in incomparable quality - by far the FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE; ideal for the connoisseur, XF GEM

Expertization: 2018 Greene Foundation certificate

Condition: The 2 pence scarlet vermilion stamp of 1857 is a rare stamp in any condition. It is usually seen with inadequate margins and in overall poor quality.

AN OUTSTANDING TWO PENCE SCARLET VERMILION IN FLAWLESS CONDITION - A TRULY IMPECCABLE EXAMPLE. (Image)

Cat. Value 12000 $

1857 3p Black Heraldic Triangular shaped trial colour plate proof block of four printed in black on white card, showing both dies; most appealing and in choice condition. Only one sheet of 80 was printed, VF (Image)

Cat. Value 2000 $

1857 3p Yellowish Green on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate A fabulous mint block of eight, light crease entirely confined to wide margin between, exceptionally fresh with full white original gum and trace of printing ink offset - characteristic traits of the 1857 first issue; two stamps are NEVER HINGED, others mostly very lightly hinged, VF (Unitrade cat. $9,600 for mint singles only; SG cat. as singles £16,000)

Expertization: 2008 Greene Foundation certificate

Provenance: St. Aylott Collection of Newfoundland, Eastern Auctions, August 2010; Lot 55

AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE BLOCK - IN FACT THE LARGEST SURVIVING MULTIPLE OF THE 1857 THREE PENCE GREEN IN EXISTENCE, THE SECOND LARGEST BEING A USED BLOCK OF FOUR. WITHOUT QUESTION, THIS REMARKABLE MULTIPLE, RANKS AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT MULTIPLES OF THE ENTIRE PENCE ISSUES OF 1857 - 1862. (Image)

Estimate 10000 $

1857 3p Yellowish Green on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate A selected used example of this tough stamp, characteristic shade, impression and paper of the 1857 issue, neat central barred cancellation, VF (Image)

Cat. Value 800 $

1857 4p Black Heraldic A remarkable trial colour plate proof block of four printed in black on white card, small marginal scissor cut at lower left which could be trimmed away. An exceedingly rare block as only one sheet of 20 was ever printed, VF (Cat. for singles; this block should command a substantial premium)

Provenance: Dr. Lewis L. Reford, Part One, Harmer, Rooke & Co., March 1950; Lot 1044

Literature: Illustrated in Robert Pratt "The Pence Issues of Newfoundland 1857-1866" handbook on page 54 (Figure 24). (Image)

Cat. Value 4000 $

1857 4p Scarlet Vermilion on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate An outstanding unused single of this rare classic stamp, displaying unusually bright fresh colour and sharp impression on pristine white wove paper, surrounded by unusually large margins. An amazing example with superior physical attributes than one is accustomed to seeing; small W. H. C(olson) guarantee backstamp, XF

Expertization: 2018 Greene Foundation cert.

Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary, H.R. Harmer, Inc., October 1956; Lot 320

AN UNUSUALLY CHOICE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE FOUR PENCE SCARLET VERMILION. RARELY FOUND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION. (Image)

Cat. Value 15000 $

1859 (April 26) Blue folded cover in clean condition, endorsed "Per Mail via Halifax" and mailed to Baltimore, franked with a superb 4 pence scarlet vermilion on thick white wove paper nicely tied by oval barred cancellation, exceptionally fresh and in flawless condition - very scarce attributes for this stamp, St. John's AP 26 1859 dispatch datestamp in red at left, Boston Br Pkt 5 MAY 6 large circular datestamp, denoting 5 cent US postage to be collected by the recipient. An unusually choice single-franking of the 4 pence scarlet vermilion, paying the "Port-to-Port" rate to the United States. An Extremely Fine cover from the famous Tucker correspondence. (Unitrade 4)

Expertization: 1973 RPS of London certificate

Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary, H.R. Harmer, Inc., October 1956; Lot 324
John Seybold, J.C. Morgenthau & Co., March 1910; Lot 682

(Image)

Estimate 5000 $

1857 5p Black Heraldic Trial colour plate proof block of four printed in black on white card, ample to large margins including sheet margin at top; a very scarce multiple as only one sheet of 40 was ever printed, VF; ex. Robert H. Pratt (October 1986; Lot 34) (Image)

Cat. Value 2000 $

1857 5p Brown Violet on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate An outstanding mint block of nine with full to oversized margins, brilliant colour as the day it was printed, pristine paper and full white original gum, centre row being NEVER HINGED. A glorious showpiece, XF LH

Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein, Sale 2, H.R. Harmer, Inc., November 1968; Lot 620
Claude Cartier (Part Two), SG Auctions, September 1977; Lot 43

AN EXTREMELY FINE MULTIPLE AND TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE THE LARGEST EXISTING MULTIPLE OF THE 5 PENCE 1857 FIRST ISSUE. (Image)

Cat. Value 6750 $

1857 6p Heraldic Engraved Trail Colour Die Proof printed in black on india paper mounted on card, light even yellowing; the distinctive traits of the die proof clearly visible, such as the outer ring of the oval is uninterrupted through "STA" of "POSTAGE", horizontal line above "S" of SIX extends into the left "6" value tablet, etc. A very rare die proof - perhaps 3 or 4 others exist, VF; 1980 BPA certificate (Image)

Estimate 3500 $

1857 6p Black Heraldic A remarkable trial colour plate proof block of four printed in black on white card, part sheet margin at left, tiny scissor cut between pairs at right and faint staining visible from the back of no importance for this exceedingly rare proof block, which has excellent pedigree. Only one sheet of 20 was ever printed, making this block very impressive indeed, VF (Cat. as singles; this block should command a substantial premium)

Provenance: Dr. Lewis L. Reford, Part One, Harmer, Rooke & Co., March 1950; Lot 1055
Robert H. Pratt, Harmers of London, October 1986; Lot 35

Literature: Illustrated in Robert Pratt "The Pence Issues of Newfoundland 1857-1866" handbook on page 54 (Figure 25). (Image)

Cat. Value 4000 $

1857 6p Scarlet Vermilion on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate A magnificent example of this tremendously difficult stamp, surrounded by well-balanced large margins and devoid of the usual flaws that plague most known examples; with deep rich colour on immaculate fresh white wove paper, used with light barred cancellation. An unusually choice example in completely sound condition, often missing from even the most advanced collections, XF

Provenance: 2018 Greene Foundation certificate

A HIGHLY SELECT AND EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE SIX PENCE SCARLET VERMILION, SUPERB IN ALL RESPECTS. (Image)

Cat. Value 7000 $

1857 6½p Black Heraldic An impressive trial colour plate proof block of four printed in black on white card; slight trace of a stain visible from reverse only, fresh and surrounded by noticeably large margins. Very rare as only one sheet of 20 was printed, VF (Cat. as singles; this block should command a substantial premium)

Provenance: Robert H. Pratt, Harmers of London, October 1986; Lot 37

Literature: Illustrated in Robert Pratt "The Pence Issues of Newfoundland 1857-1866" handbook on page 55 (Figure 26). (Image)

Cat. Value 4000 $

1857 6½p Scarlet Vermilion on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate A magnificent used single with deep rich colour, surrounded by superb margins - very seldom encountered on this particular denomination, tied to part cover by light, unobtrusive oval barred cancellation, clear Carbonear NO 3 1858 double arc dispatch at left. One of the most difficult used Pence stamps of Newfoundland to find, especially so in such exceptional quality. An absolute GEM that graced one of the preeminent collections of the past, XF

Expertization: 1974 BPA certificate

Provenance: Maurice Burrus, Robson Lowe Ltd., April 1963; Lot 408 - sold then for an impressive £575.

Literature: Illustrated in Robson Lowe Encyclopaedia of British Empire Postage Stamps, Volume V North America on page 451. (Image)

Cat. Value 5500 $

1857 8p Black Heraldic A wonderful trial colour plate proof block of four printed in black on white card, large margins all around and in choice condition. An exceedingly rare multiple as only one sheet of 20 was ever printed, XF (Cat. as singles; this block should command a substantial premium)

Provenance: Dr. Lewis L. Reford, Part One, Harmer, Rooke & Co., March 1950; Lot 1060
Robert H. Pratt, Harmers of London, October 1986; Lot 38

Literature: Illustrated in Robert Pratt "The Pence Issues of Newfoundland 1857-1866" handbook on page 56 (Figure 27). (Image)

Cat. Value 4000 $

1857 8p Scarlet Vermilion on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate A choice mint example with excellent colour and huge margins including portion of sheet margin at left, an exceptional stamp, XF OG (Image)

Cat. Value 500 $

1857 8p Scarlet Vermilion on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate A noteworthy used example with four even margins and clear, centrally struck Cunard Ship "A92" (S.S. Arabia) grid cancellation; minute corner crease at lower right. A very rare mail boat numeral cancelled stamp, VF

Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein, Sale 7, January 1970; Lot 20 - sold for US$320.
Robert H. Pratt, October 1986; Lot 98 (Image)

Estimate 750 $

1862 (December 3) Folded cover addressed to Baltimore, in immaculate condition bearing a superb, large margined diagonal bisect of the 8 pence scarlet vermilion on thick white wove paper showing extra large margins on both sides, neatly tied by oval barred cancellation in black and paying the 4p "Port-to-Port" letter rate; clear St. John's Newfoundland Paid DE 3 1862 rimless dispatch in red, Boston DEC 16 "5" circular datestamp denoting 5 cent US postage to be collected by recipient. Couple light file folds not affecting the superb bisect. An exceptional cover from the famous Tucker correspondence, XF (Unitrade 8a)

Expertization: 1997 BPA certificate

Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary, H.R. Harmer, Inc., October 1956; Lot 350

AN EXTREMELY FINE COVER BEARING WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE THE FINEST 8 PENCE BISECT EXTANT; SUPERB IN ALL RESPECTS. (Image)

Estimate 5000 $

1857 1sh Black Heraldic Trial colour plate proof pair printed in black on white card, in remarkably choice condition with large margins all around, a very scarce multiple as only one sheet of 20 was ever printed, XF (Image)

Cat. Value 2000 $

1857 1sh Scarlet Vermilion on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate An incredible mint single superior to any example we have ever seen. Exceptionally fresh colour still retaining its original "bloom" and displaying a well-etched, detailed impression on pristine white wove paper, large part of characteristic dull white original gum, along with superb large margins. Seasoned collectors are well aware that these attributes are seldom encountered on this particular stamp. A first-class example of this challenging classic stamp - in our opinion THE FINEST EXISTING MINT EXAMPLE of the 1857 One shilling scarlet vermilion, XF OG GEM

Expertization: 1986 BPA certificate

Provenance: Charles Lathrop Pack, Part One, Harmer, Rooke & Co., December 1944; Lot 231 - the highest realized lot (among stamps) of the sale. Stated to be "ex. Jephcott" according to Pratt.
Robert H. Pratt, Harmers of London, October 1986; Lot 102

AN AMAZING AND PEERLESS MINT EXAMPLE OF THIS SOUGHT-AFTER CLASSIC STAMP OF NEWFOUNDLAND. CLEARLY ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS IMPORTANT COLLECTION, ACQUIRED FROM THE FAMOUS PRATT COLLECTION OVER THIRTY YEARS AGO. (Image)

Cat. Value 70000 $

1857 1sh Scarlet Vermilion on Thick White Wove Paper, Imperforate Vertical bisect used as a 6 pence stamp, tied to small piece tied by barred grid cancel, showing clear to full margins, Fine (Image)

Estimate 500 $

1860 2p Orange on Thin Hard Wove Paper, Imperforate An impressive mint pair with dazzling colour and sharp impression on fresh paper, large margins and large part original gum. Multiples of the 2p orange are very scarce; this beautiful pair is especially desirable with such amazing colour and unusually choice condition, XF OG (Image)

Cat. Value 2400 $