1862/1950ca: Lot hundreds stamps used/unused incl. Hong Kong with 1862 96 c. brownish grey, 1863 96 c. olive-bistre, 1876 ovpt. definitives, British PO's in China 1917 with $ 10 purple & black, Omnibus 1937 Coronation issues, Lagos 1874/1904 definitives, Southern Nigeria, Nigeria, Gibraltar EVI SPECIMEN ovpts., Malta, Cyprus, Ceylon, St. Helena, Fiji, Gold Coast, Zanzibar, Cape of Good Hope with some triangles, South Africa, Rhodesia, British PO's in the Levant and Madagascar, Tanganjika, Mauritius, British Occupation of Italian Colonies, Cocos Islands, North Borneo, Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, Brunei, in addition some Denish West Indies.

1914/31: Bradbury Wilkinson Seahorse 2 s. 6 d. pale chocolate-brown, a used example variety "Overprint Double", the cancellation leaving this previously unrecorded variety clear, trace of toned perf. at top but of great rarity, unlisted by Stanley Gibbons. Cert. BPA (2019). (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1841: 1 d. red-brown, lettered PL, three good to large margins but just touched at right, tied by a fine strike of the Channel Islands "Alderney" Maltese Cross in black, one of - if not the most - iconic of all local Maltese Crosses Gi = £ 10'000.rnrnProvenance: Robson Lowe, 6 May 1953, lot 276; Robson Lowe 21 Oct. 1953, lot 317; Christies Robson Lowe, 23 Sept 1986, lot 323A. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1841: 1 d. red-brown on blued, the near complete set of London 'Numbers in Cross' with eleven stamps showing Numbers 1-11, the rare "No. 4" being a particularly fine strike, margins touched to fine and a few faults, nevertheless a scarce assembly with most strikes upright; together with an 1841 2 d. blue on small piece well tied by London "No.7" Maltese Cross Gi = £ 3'800+. (Image 1) (Image)

1847: Proof of the Embossed 1 s. deep green, an imperforate Proof pulled from Die 2 (without date plugs) for the Postal Stationery shown at the Paris Exhibition of 1866, printed on vertical lined greenish medium thick paper (approx. 52 x 60 mm.), overprinted SPECIMEN in black. Negligible ironed corner bend well away from the design, an exceptional and very rare Proof in a rich dark shade, no more than two examples exist on this paper. Cert. BPA (1986) As Gi EP3 = unlisted with 'Specimen', unpriced.rnrnProvenance: Phillips, London, 10 July 1988, lot 285. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1847: Embossed 1 s. green, Die 1, the famous and spectacular single example and block of eight (4 x 2), used on 1851 entire letter from the Colonial Office in London to Mexico City carried at 6 times rate (the etxt refers to enclosures), the single with just clear to large margins all round and the block just shaved at eeach side on the 'unused' row which was originally folded over the top of the cover and thus remained uncancelled; the remaining five stamps cancelled by London numerals with despatch datestamp (Dec 2) in red displaying well at top. Struck on arrival with "6" (reales) handstruck due marking in red, corresponding exactly with the British rate. The stamps lifted for checking and replaced, one stamp slightly rubbed and the original file fold ironed when opened out for better Exhibit display. Just two examples of this franking exist (the other from the same correspondence, was ex Maximus Part II and Bill Gross, was very similar and is not as fine as this cover) both were originally first sold in September 1960. A magnificent and famous cover, and an outstanding Exhibit item for the connoisseur of the Embossed issue.rnrnProvenance: Harmers, London, 19 Sept 1960, lot 250; Collection 'Chartwell', Spink, London, 29 June 2011, lot 1515. (Image 1) (Image)

1862/64: 1 s. green, plate 1, lettered JI, a sheet marginal example with PRICE imprint below, used on 1863 cover endorsed 'per China' to Philadelphia, USA tied by 'London / 86' numeral obliterators (Oct 24) in black. Marginal examples are very infrequently encountered on cover. (Image 1) (Image)

1929: Ninth UPU Congress in London £ 1 black, superb and fresh, unmounted og. Gi = £ 750. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1840/1951ca: Interesting collection & lot hundreds primarily used stamps incl. Penny Black a fresh and fine example from plate 6, 1847/54 embossed 6 d., 10 d. and 1 s. green in a hor. pair, margins shaved to fine, 1867 5 s. rose wmk Maltese Cross (3), £ 5 orange on white, 1883 2s6d., 5 s. & 10 s. on white paper, 1884 £ 1 wmk Three Crowns (2), 1891 £ 1 green, 1902 EVII 2s6p. (2), 5 s., 10 s. and £1, 1929 UPU £ 1 unused with full og, in addition 17 covers and some official stamps. To be studied, one opinion. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image 5) (Image 6) (Image 7) (Image 8) (Image 9) (Image 10) (Image 11) (Image 12) (Image)

1891: 3 c. brown postal stationery card, up-rated with 1882/96 5 c. blue in a vertical pair tied by "B62" numeral obliterators in black with 'Hong Kong' cds (July 23) alongside. Cairo arrival cds (Aug 18) also on obverse. Some light soiling but scarce. (Image 1) (Image)

1945 (Sept): Stampless envelope locally used struck with octagonal framed HONG KONG / 1945 / POSTAGE PAID handstamp in black, used in the 'free postage' period prior to stamps becoming available on 28th Sept 1945. Some creasing but scarce. (Image 1) (Image)

1865: 8 p. mauve, 2 a. orange and 1866 4 a. deep green all used on 1874 cover to Genova, Italy tied by Madras duplexes (Jan 10) and by Arbuthnot firm's cachet in black. Reverse with Bombay cds, 'Sea Post Office / F' cds (Jan 12) and carried on the Steamer 'Deccan' to Suez, Brindisi transit cds and Genova arrival (Jan 30). An attractive cover. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1948 (Aug 15): Anniversary of Independence, Gandhi set of four, very fine used Gi = £ 140. (Image 1) (Image)

'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)