'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope 1900 (March 23): Surcharged 1 d. on Cape ½ d. green, Hope seated, a fine used block of four, first setting, neatly cancelled by second day of issue MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamp (March 24, 1900) in black. A fine and most attractive multiple Gi = £ 340+.rnrnProvenance: Collection 'Goodyear', Robson Lowe, London, 8 June 1993, lot 4. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope 1900 (March 23): Surcharged 1 d. on Cape ½ d. green, Hope seated, two horizontal strips of four, formerly constituting a block of eight, used on roughly separated piece cancelled by seventh day of issue MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamp (March 29, 1900) in black. A fine and scarce piece Gi = £ 680+.rnrnProvenance: 'A Scandinavian Collector', Stanley Gibbons, London, 14-17 April 1970, lot 753.rn Collection 'Goodyear', Robson Lowe, London, 8 June 1993, lot 5. (Image 1) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of Cape of Good Hope 1900 (March 23): Surcharged 1 d. on ½ d. green, 3 d. on 1 d. carmine, Hope standing and 6 d. on British Bechuanaland 3 d. lilac & black, all used on 1900 cover to Elgin, Scotland by the Southern route, tied by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamps (April 4) in black. Reverse with 'Elgin' arrival cds (June 24). File folds away from adhesives and a couple of closed tears in the envelope due to method of transport by native runner through the Siege lines, but an attractive and rare cover.rnrnProvenance: Collection 'Goodyear', Robson Lowe, London, 8 June 1993, lot 76. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of Cape of Good Hope 1900 (March 24): Surcharged 1 d. on ½ d. green, Hope standing, with 3 d. on 1 d. lilac and 1 s. on 6 d. purple on red (surcharged Type 2) of Bechuanaland Protectorate on 1900 cover addressed to the Post Office at Bulawayo, tied by MAFEKING / C.G.H datestamps (April 1) in black. Docketed correctly at '1/4d.' and initialled 'JN' (John Nevett) on the Base Train of Military Post Office in transit; reverse with 'Bulawayo / Rhodesia' arrival cds (April 6). Cover sensibly opened for Exhibit display, a fine and most attractive cover.rnrnProvenance: Collection Maria de La Queillerie, Harmers, London, 18-19 May 1970, lot 457.rn Collection 'Goodyear', Robson Lowe, London, 8 June 1993, lot 85. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope 1900 (March 23): Surcharged 3 d. on Cape 1 d. carmine, Hope standing, a fine unused example of good colour, minor gum bend not affecting delightful appearance, fresh and fine, large part og. Gi = £ 325.rnrnProvenance: Collection "Mafeking", Guido Craveri, Lugano, 18 Feb 1994, lot 1509.rn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope 1900 (March 23): Surcharged 3 d. on Cape 1 d. carmine, Hope standing, a block of four used on 1900 Northern route cover to Ireland, endorsed at top by 'W. H. Weeks, Chaplain, Bechuanaland Rifles', tied by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamps (April 19) in black. The envelope complete but for top flap and opened for display, showing on flap CROCODILE POOLS / SOUTH AFRICA cds (April 25) and 'Bulawayo / Rhodesia' transit cds's (April 30). Obverse with Lucan arrival (June 9) and readdressed to London. File folds but an extremely rare cover.rnrnProvenance: Collection Maria de La Queillerie, Harmers, London, May 18-19, 1970, lot 461.rn Collection Bill Hart, Cavendish, Derby, 25-26 June 1993, lot 1816. (Image 1) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope 1900 (March 24): Surcharged 6 d. on Cape 3 d. magenta, used example of good colour tied to cover, with original contents dated March 23, 1900, mailed from Mafeking to Colwyn Bay, Wales tied by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamp in black of the First Day of Issue. The cover would have been carried out of the beseiged town by Native runner, franked at 6 d. to pre-pay the Southern route via Vryburg and the Cape. Reverse with 'Barkly West' squared circle of transit (April 11) and Colwyn Bay arrival cds (May 6). The letter stating "Being privileged to send a few lines, I am happy to tell you I am safe and well. I am unable to write particulars at present, but as soon as communication is re-established I will write fully...". The adhesive with small perf. fault at base and envelope with minor opening tears at top, but of great rarity.rnrnProvenance: Collection Bill Hart, Cavendish, Derby, 25-26 June 1993, lot 1821. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope 1900 (March 24): Surcharged 1 d. on Cape 4 d. sage-green, Hope seated, an unused example of good colour, slight paper hinge attachment at top, fresh and very fine, part og. Just 1'440 stamps issued. An extremely rare stamp unused. Cert. BPA (1972) Gi = £ 8'000.rnrnProvenance: Collection Howard & Torie Gibralter, Shreves, New York, 15-16 Sept 2000, lot 1354. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope 1900 (March 23/24): Surcharged set of five values fine used, four used on individual pieces, all cancelled by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamps: 1 d. on May 12th, 1 d. standing on April 10th, 3 d. on March 26th, 6 d. on March 27th, 1 s. on March 28th. A scarce and very fine set Gi = £ 1'000+. (Image 1) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Bechuanaland Protectorate 1900 (March 28): Surcharged 1 d. on ½ d. vermilion, an unused example of good colour, fresh and fine, large part og. Signed A. Diena Gi = £ 325. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Bechuanaland Protectorate 1900 (March 28): Surcharged 1 d. on ½ d. vermilion, a used horizontal pair, variety "Surcharge Inverted", tied to small piece by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamp (March 31, 1900) in black. The top perforations close to the edge of piece, of great scarcity, especially so in a multiple of which there are but three vertical 'tête-bêche' pairs and a single 'tête-bêche' block of four recorded - this being the sole known pair with both stamps showing the variety. Cert. BPA (2019) Gi = £ 16'000.rnrnProvenance: Robson Lowe, London, May 1984, lot 15.rn Robson Lowe, London, 19-20 Sept 1996, lot 30.rnrnNote: It is believed 24 stamps would have been printed with this variety (four rows of six) with cancellation dates of March 31 and April 9. Of the surviving examples, 22 are currently recorded, at least four of which are damaged. One is housed in the Mosely collection in the British Museum, another example is in the collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Bechuanaland Protectorate 1900 (April 4): Surcharged 3 d. on 1 d. lilac, an unused example of rich colour, fresh and fine, large part og. Scarce, just 1'800 issued. Cert. Brandon (1980) Gi = £ 1'000.rnrnProvenance: Collection 'Mafeking', Guido Craveri, Lugano, 18 Feb 1994, lot 1532. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Bechuanaland Protectorate 1900 (April 4): Surcharged 6 d. on 2 d. green & carmine, an unused example of fine fresh colour, large part og. A scarce stamp with just 1'200 issued. Cert. Brandon (1985) Gi = £ 3'000.rnrnProvenance: Collection 'Mafeking', Guido Craveri, Lugano, 18 Feb 1994, lot 1535. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the Bechuanaland Protectorate 1900 (March 30): Surcharged 6 d. on 3 d. purple on yellow, a used example showing variety: "Surcharge Inverted", tied to piece by complete MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamp (First Day of Issue, March 30, 1900) in black. A perfect example of an enormously rare stamp - just 6 examples printed of which 5 have been recorded, all being used on day of issue and all being on piece. Signed David Field. Cert. BPA (1990) Gi = £ 42'000.rnrnProvenance: Collection Louise Boyd Dale & Alfred Lichtenstein, Harmers, Washington DC, 25-29 Nov 1989, lot 648.rn Collection 'Samos', Ivy, Shreve & Mader, London, 19-20 June 1991, lot 277.rn Collection Gian Maria Rossi, Warwick & Warwick, 8 June 2005, lot 240.rnrnKnown examples of SG 9a: One ex Urch Harris (Nov, 1978) and Harmers, Lugano, February 1994 (lot 1541).rn One ex Harmers, London, Oct 1971, lot 326 with BPA certificate (1961).rn One ex Harmers, London, April 1970, lot 610 with RPSL certificate (1933).rn The example offered here which has the largest remaining part of the piece.rn One is housed in the collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the British Bechuanaland 1900 (March 27): Surcharged 6 d. on 3 d. lilac & black, an unused example of good colour, Type IV with 'G' of 'BESIEGED' broken, corner crease and slight soiling on top perforations, large part og. Scarce, just 3'600 issued Gi = £ 550. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the British Bechuanaland 1900 (March 27): Surcharged 6 d. on 3 d. lilac & black, a used block of four of attractive appearance, Types II-III, tied to small piece by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamps (March 30) in black. The piece cut somewhat close but a fine and very rare multiple Gi = £ 380+.rnrnProvenance: Collection Maria de La Queillerie, Harmers, London, 18-19 May 1970, lot 482.rn Collection 'Goodyear', Robson Lowe, London, 8 June 1993, lot 37. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the British Bechuanaland 1900 (March 29): Surcharged 1 s. on 4 d. green & purple-brown, an unused example of good colour, trivial aging on perfs. only noticeable from the reverse otherwise fresh and fine, large part og. A rare stamp with just 2'320 issued. Cert. BPA (2019) Gi = £ 1'600. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the British Bechuanaland 1900 (March 29): Surcharged 1 s. on 4 d. green & purple-brown, used example on piece showing variety: "Surcharged Double with Type 1 and Type 2" clearly, cancelled by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamp (May 1) in black. Possibly Trial Surcharges - this stamp and variety initially discussed by H.R.Holmes in the 'London Philatelist' (Volume 81, April 1972, number 952), a copy of this article accompanies the lot. Rare and very fine with less than 20 examples recorded. Cert. BPA (1987) Gi = £ 8'000.rnrnProvenance: Collection 'Goodyear', Robson Lowe, London, 8 June 1993, lot 45. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the British Bechuanaland 1900 (March 29): Surcharged 1 s. on 4 d. green & purple-brown, used example on piece showing variety: "Surcharged Double with Type 1 and Type 2" clearly, cancelled by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamp (May 1) in black, slightly defective at base. Possibly Trial Surcharges - this stamp and variety initially discussed by H.R.Holmes in the 'London Philatelist' (Volume 81, April 1972, number 952), a copy of this article accompanies the lot. Rare and very fine with less than 20 examples recorded. Cert. BPA (2019) Gi = £ 8'000. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' on Stamps of the British Bechuanaland 1900 (March 29): Surcharged 1 s. on 4 d. green & purple-brown, used example on Northern route cover smuggled out of besieged Mafeking by native runner, tied by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamp (April 12) in black. Mailed on to Cape Town and backstamped 'Crocodile Pools / South Africa' (April 20), 'Bulawayo / Rhodesia' (April 23) and squared circle 'G.P.O. Cape Town / CGH' arrival (May 6). Cover creased due to the method of carriage but not affecting the fine adhesive. A great rarity. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' Type 2 on Stamps of the Bechuanaland Protectorate 1900 (April 1): Surcharged 3 d. on 1 d. lilac, a used block of four on piece, neatly tied by three strikes of the MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamp (May 8) in black. Minor crease not affecting the appearance of a fine and scarce multiple, just 1'800 stamps printed Gi = £ 400+.rnrnProvenance: Collection 'Goodyear', Robson Lowe, London, 8 June 1993, lot 50. (Image 1) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' Type 2 on Stamps of the Bechuanaland Protectorate 1900 (April 12): Surcharged 1 s. on 6 d. purple on rose-red, an unused example of excellent colour, fresh and fine, large part og. An exceptional stamp of great rarity unused, with no example present in the C. Emerson Huston, Maria de La Queillerie or Sir Maxwell Joseph collections, just 1'440 stamps issued. Signed Herbert Bloch. Cert. Brandon (1982), BPA (2019) Gi = £ 7'500.rnProvenance: Collection 'Mafeking', Guido Craveri, Lugano, 18 Feb 1994, lot 1561 (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' Type 2 on Stamps of the Bechuanaland Protectorate 1900 (April 12): Surcharged 1 s. on 6 d. purple on rose-red, a used block of four, of good resonant colour, cancelled by MAFEKING / C.G.H. datestamps (May 4) in black. A fine and scarce multiple with just 1'440 stamps issued Gi = £ 520+.rnrnProvenance: Collection 'Goodyear', Robson Lowe, London, 8 June 1993, lot 55. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' Type 2 on Stamps of the British Bechuanaland 1900 (April 28): Surcharged 1 s. on 6 d. purple on rose-red, an unused example of rich colour, centred to base with minute vertical bend not affecting the appearance, otherwise very fresh and fine, large part og. Just 240 examples, one sheet, issued. Only five examples of this exceedingly rare stamp are recorded in unused condition. Cert. BPA (1975) Gi = £ 35'000.rnrnProvenance: Collection Gian Maria Rossi, Warwick & Warwick, 8 June 2005, lot 254.rn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

'Mafeking Besieged' Type 2 on Stamps of the British Bechuanaland 1900 (April 13): Surcharged 2 s. on 1 s. green, an unused example of perfect centering and good strong colour, merest hint of vertical gum crease, fresh and very fine for this stamp, superb large part og. Without doubt one of the finest of the few examples extant. Just 570 issued and exceptionally rare in unused condition. Cert. Brandon (1989) Gi = £ 15'000.rnrnProvenance: Collection 'Mafeking', Guido Craveri, Lugano, 18 Feb 1994, lot 1574. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)