1848-59 1d Orange-Vermilion earliest impression, pos.8, just cut into to fine margins, tied to large piece by barred circular "3" with "SOUILLAC  / MY 1852" boxed ds (pre-dating SG's stated period of use, 1853-54) with ms "16", "INLAND" hs adjacent, underpaying the inland rate with ms "Short paid 4d", a very attractive piece, cert. Brandon (1996) A major rarity as it is the EARLIEST KNOWN USE OF THE 1d, with no covers existing bearing the 1d earliest impression and only one other dated piece in existence recorded by Kanai at the time of his 1981 book, so may well be unique today. (Image)

1848-59 Post Paid 1d earliest impression, pos.4, with good to very good margins, "3" target numeral of Pamplemousses, very fine (SG £18'000) (Image)

1848-59 Post Paid 1d orange-vermilion on yellowish earliest impression, just cut into to fine margins, barred "3" circle cancel of Souilac, slight thin at top, fine appearance (SG £18'000) (Image)

1848-59 Post Paid 1d earliest impression, pos.2, no margins, target and barred circle cancels, faults, useful spacefiller (SG £18'000) (Image)

1848-59 Post Paid 2d indigo-blue earliest impression unused, pos.9, just cut into on all sides and more so on lower right corner, otherwise fine and very rare unused example, cert. RPS (1933) and Sismondo (2002) (SG £65'000) (Image)

1848-59 Post Paid 2d indigo-blue "première gravure" earliest impression, pos.8, cut into in places, boxed hs cancel in black and possibly two strikes in blue, minor faults with some creasing, rich deep colour, very rare (SG £26'000) (Image)

1848-59 Post Paid 2d deep blue earliest impression unused, pos.1, just cut into on two sides, pressed horizontal crease and tiny central stain spot, fine appearance, a very rare unused example, cert. RPS (1944) (SG £65'000) (Image)