1854-57 MIXED GROUP OF MINT OR UNUSED EXAMPLES - C1, C3 (2), C6, C8 and C10 (4). Average gum to no gum. (9 items) (Image)

1854/6 SMALL SHADES STUDY ON PAGE - superb study of shades mainly comprising the C1 and C8 1d reds, generally fine to very fine examples. (16 stamps, 2 covers) (Image)

PLATES 169 TO R6 PERF 16/14 GROUP - C1/C2 range on pages, inc. perf 16 LG plate 199 & EJ plate 204 (SG £280/225, both with 2015 Williams cert. each noting small perf faults) and perf 14 RD plate 198 and CJ & GG plate 201 (SG £300/250 each). Generally good to fine, most plates not checked by us. (46 + 5 covers) (Image)

PLATE 194 - RARE MINT PAIR PROVING A REVERSE FEED OF THE SHEET INTO THE PERFORATOR - BA-CA plate 194 vertical pair, BA (constant mark on the base of the portrait) being a long stamp from adjustment during perforation; that the two 'wide teeth' are at the top of the stamp proves this sheet was perforated from the base of the sheet upwards, a matter of quite some rarity on these. Mounted on top unit only and with very fine gum. (Image)

DIE II GROUP MOSTLY ON PAGES - plates 1 to R17 range neatly written up, inc. plate 23 C7 (SG £950, centred left, 2017 Williams cert. noting "thinned area at middle left"), plate 40 C9(2) (SG £450, 1989 RPSL cert.), GB plate 64 C10 on small piece (SG £400, stamp missing a corner) and July 1858 env. (tear) to Woodbridge from London with C11 1d red (difficult on cover). Also a further group of alphabet III plates 50 & 51 (72). (158 stamps inc. a strip of four, 7 covers) (Image)

PLATE 16 - RARE WITH SMALL CROWN WMK - rare C3 example with constant marks in the right star and upper margin, two short perfs else good to fine. SG £900. (Image)

RARE PLATE 24 WITH SMALL CROWN WMK - three used singles lettered CB, LA and SC, all good used. SG Spec C7 £2850. (3) (Image)

RARE PLATES 24, 25 & 26 WITH SMALL CROWN WMK GROUP - AA, BA, CE, EC, ED, GA, QC & RD plate 24, LJ plate 25 and CJ plate 26; all with faults. SG Spec C7 £10200. (10) (Image)

PLATE 49 - VERY SCARCE C9s ON LATE FEE COVER - 16 July 1857 E to Birmingham franked with C9 1d reds, QC & PC plate 49 (SG £425 each off cover), paying the postage plus late fee, tied by London numerals. Very scarce usage.Cross Reference: LONDON POSTAL HISTORY, LATE FEE/TOO LATE MAIL, WARWICKSHIRE - BIRMINGHAM (Image)