1860 2p, 3p & 6p Charles Whiting (London) Archival Proofs A fascinating lot comprised of eight pages from the Record Book of the London printer. Includes the original set of three exceedingly rare (possibly unique) die proofs of the 2p, 3p & 6p in the intended colours with solid colour surrounding die, along with an unissued Master Die in black with blank value tablet similar to the 3 pence stamp. We also note a few issued Pence & Decimal stamps and a couple imperforates as well as a few proofs in black being affixed to pages. Also includes other samples displaying their craft, all carefully annotated with detailed notes regarding ink, mixture used, dimensions and the date on which the proof was pulled. An incredible lot which will, no doubt, be part of a future "gold-medal" collection of Prince Edward Island. (Image)

Estimate 10000 $

1861 2p Dull Rose, Die I on Soft Yellowish Wove Paper, Perf 9 An outstanding mint block of four, remarkably well centered for the issue, a couple of short perforations, which are entirely forgivable for this notoriously difficult stamp. Brilliant colour on fresh paper and possessing unusually full original gum, mild hinging. Very few mint blocks of four exist, this being one of the finest, XF OG

Provenance: British North America Sale, Robson Lowe Ltd., January 1964; Lot 1381 (Image)

Cat. Value 8000 $

1861 2p Deep Rose, Die I on Soft Yellowish Paper, Imperforate An elusive mint single in the distinctive deeper shade, intact perforations and part original gum; very hard to find in sound mint condition, Fine+ OG (Image)

Cat. Value 800 $

1861 (circa.) 2p Rose Carmine on Yellowish Wove Paper Imperforate corner margin mint block of six; miniscule thin spot in margin at lower left corner and tiny marginal nick at right both mentioned for the record. Colour, impression and paper closely resemble the 1861 Issue, full crackly original gum hinged along top edge of the margin only, all stamps are never hinged. Much scarcer than the more common imperforate pairs on the white and bluish wove papers with visible mesh. A great item for the specialist, VF

Expertization: 1987 BPA certificate, states: "1861 2d rose carmine on yellowish toned paper, no wmk, variety imperf... from the Imprimatur sheet, is genuine." (Image)

Estimate 1000 $

1861 2p Deep Rose, Die I on Soft Yellowish Paper, Rouletted An attractive example of this great rarity of Prince Edward Island, rouletting visibly intact on three sides, signed by famous stamp dealer C.J. Phillips on reverse; minute thin spot and light crease, minor toning; these slight imperfections are not mentioned in the accompanying certificate and are of no consequence as all five of the known examples have some degree of faults (especially so for the three remaining examples in private hands). An extremely rare stamp, the first was discovered in 1888 by Donald King and was the subject to a lengthy article (Stanley Gibbons Monthly Journal, April 30, 1895). Only four other examples have since been found. An excellent opportunity to acquire one of the great rarities of British North America, F-VF (SG 5 £25,000)

Expertization: 1984 BPA certificate

Provenance: Leslie G. Tomlinson - private sale in 1984

Census: A total of five examples are known to exist, all in used condition.

(1) one example in the permanent Royal Collection of Her Majesty The Queen;

(2) one example in the Tapling collection (British Library);

(3) one example ex. Dale-Lichtenstein, Sale 5 (May 1969; Lot 992), Dr. R.V.C. Carr (February 1999; Lot 340 - sold for US13,800 inclusive of buyer's premium) has tear at foot, some toning and soiling; Alan Griffiths (April 2012; Lot 736)

(4) one example offered here, ex. Tomlinson collection (privately acquired in the early 1980s) and has since resided in the Highlands collection for well over thirty years;

(5) one example ex. Dale-Lichtenstein, Sale 7 (January 1970; Lot 554), Martyn Cusworth (March 2005; Lot 1127), David Pitts (July 2018; Lot 146 - where it last sold for £20,000 hammer and claimed to be superior to the other three examples in private hands) has two thins, a corner crease and is centered to bottom right.

THE MOST ELUSIVE STAMP OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. IT HAS RESIDED IN THE HIGHLANDS COLLECTION FOR NEARLY 35 YEARS. (Image)

Cat. Value 27500 $

1861 3p Dark Blue on Soft Yellowish Wove Paper, Perf 9 An extraordinary mint horizontal strip of three displaying the DOUBLE IMPRESSION ERROR to utmost striking effect. The only known multiple remarkably well centered for the issue, one shorter perforation at left, otherwise displaying intact perforations all around and in excellent state of preservation, full brownish original gum somewhat disturbed on right stamp, left stamp may be never hinged, VF

Provenance: "Provenance" Collection of British North America, January 1983; Lot 2059
J.G. Glassco, Harmer, Rooke & Co., January 1945; Lot 1434

Long thought by many to have been broken into singles - supported by the fact that some auction houses claimed to be offering a copy originating from this strip!

AN EXCEPTIONAL MULTIPLE IN ALL RESPECTS, CONSIDERING ONLY A FEW MINT SINGLES EXIST. THE BEST AND MOST RECOGNIZABLE VARIETY OF ALL PRINCE EDWARD STAMPS. (Image)

Cat. Value 36000 $

1861 6p Yellow Green on Soft Yellowish Paper, Perf 9 A brilliant, fresh mint single, completely sound and very scarce thus, with intact perforations, small hinge at top and showing an unusually large portion of its clean original gum; small A. Brun expert guarantee backstamp. A lovely mint example of this challenging stamp, Fine+ OG; 2009 BPA certificate (Image)

Cat. Value 2500 $

1863 (circa.) 1p Yellow Orange on Soft Yellowish Wove Paper, Perf 11½-12 Intact mint sheet of thirty, quite well centered, a few split perfs at bottom right of no importance, bright fresh colour and with remarkably full original gum, NEVER HINGED. A very scarce sheet, VF NH (Image)

Cat. Value 3600 $

1868 6p Blue Green on Yellowish Wove Paper, Perf 11½-12 An exceedingly rare mint sheet of thirty, nicely centered, severe perf separation in places supported by hinges, some diagonal creasing, large part original gum and of lovely appearance, to the best of our knowledge only one other sheet exists (contrary to many who thought this sheet unique). A wonderful showpiece, VF

Provenance: Alan Griffiths, April 2012, Lot 758
Fred Jarrett, Sissons Sale 183, November 1960; Lot 1351 (Image)

Estimate 2000 $

1893 1p-6c Reprint Die Proofs The set of eleven Die Proofs & Essays, produced by J.A. Tilleard, reprinted from the original dies in black on thick cream paper - from the January, 1893 London Philatelist journal to illustrate a Prince Edward Island article / paper read at Meeting. A scarce set and attractive set, VF; also a set of four reprint plate proofs in black with 2p, 3c and 12c in UL block of four and 4p UL pair. (Image)

Estimate 750 $

1861 (September 14) Cover from Georgetown to Charlottetown bearing a nicely centered, sound example of the 2p rose, Die I on soft yellowish paper, perf 9 with intact perforations, neatly tied by grid cancel to lightly cleaned envelope, Georgetown SP 14 1861 double arc dispatch and same-day Prince Edward Island circular receiver backstamps. A choice stamp on a scarce first-year of issue cover, F-VF (Unitrade 1) (Image)

Estimate 500 $

1862 (October 17) Small clean cover with William R. Watson City Drug Store Charlottetown, P.E.I. "Garter" embossed crest on backflap, sent to Georgetown, PEI, bearing a sound 2p deep rose on soft yellowish paper, perf 9, neatly tied by sharp grid cancellation, small printed notes adhering to cover; on reverse very fine strikes of Prince Edward Island OCT 17 1862 large circular datestamp (R. Lowe HS-28) along with same-day Georgetown double arc receiver. A lovely internal 2 pence letter rate in much nicer quality than most existing covers, VF (Unitrade 1a) ex. Max H. Bass (November 1958; Lot 1483) (Image)

Estimate 500 $

1862 (March 7) Small envelope from Belfast, PEI to Pictou, Nova Scotia, bearing a 3p blue on soft yellowish paper, perf 9 in sound condition with intact perforations, unusually tied by light grid cancel IN RED, same-ink Belfast MR 7 dispatch, stamp and reverse of cover struck with Prince Edward Island MAR 8 circular transit datestamp (R. Lowe HS-28) in black; also legible Amherst MR 10, Pictou MA 12 and New Glasgow MR 13 transit and receiver backstamps. Cover slightly reduced at left and has a few tone spots not affecting the stamp, a scarce interprovincial 3 pence rate cover to Nova Scotia, F-VF (Unitrade 2) (Image)

Estimate 750 $

186? (June 14) Envelope with albino J.S. Carvell Commission Merchant and General Agent Charlottetown PEI embossed advertising on backflap with intact red wax seal, cover slightly reduced at left, franked with a superbly centered and remarkably choice 6p yellow green on soft yellowish paper, perf 9 tied by light grid cancellation, addressed to Woburn Massachusetts, partially clear Prince Edward JUN 14 186? circular dispatch on back; no US backstamp as customary. A rare and exceptional usage of the Six pence perf 9; we would not hesitate to claim it as one of finest in existence, XF (Unitrade 3)

Expertization: 1983 RPS of London certificate

Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein, Sale 5, May 1969; Lot 1011

AN EXTRAORDINARY SINGLE-FRANKING COVER, BEARING ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT AND SOUGHT-AFTER STAMPS OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. (Image)

Estimate 3500 $

1868 (October 9) Small envelope mailed from Charlottetown to Halifax, Nova Scotia, bearing a very rare franking consisting of a single and a diagonal bisect of 2p rose tied by grid '13' cancels of Charlottetown, pays the 3 pence interprovincial letter rate, Prince Edward Island rimless 9 OCT datestamp struck on front, oval "H" (Halifax) OC 10 receiver backstamp. A very rare 2 pence perf 11½-12 bisect cover, according to Firby only six exist, F-VF (Unitrade 5e; SG12b £3,750) (Image)

Estimate 2000 $

1867 (January 11) Light oriental buff coloured cover in clean condition from Charlottetown to Wolfville, Nova Scotia, bearing 6p yellow green perf 11½-12 tied by grid '13' cancel; on reverse Prince Edward Island JA 11 circular dispatch, oval "H" (Halifax) JA 15 1867 transit and faint Wolfville receiver. A very scarce double weight 6 pence letter rate to Nova Scotia, VF (Unitrade 7) ex. Dale-Lichtenstein, Sale 5, May 1969; Lot 1052 (Image)

Estimate 400 $