1840 J. Buchanan Private letter sheet from Nuneaton to Sutton Coldfield, showing Coventry date stamp and manuscript ''Pd'' in red and Birmingham backstamp. The only example in private hands (the other recorded example is in the NPM). A great rarity and illustrated in the SG Spec Vol.1. Cat. £50,000. Ex Daisy. (Image)

1840 J. Baraclough Prepaid Private Lettersheet printed in blue, addressed to Walter Landon, Rugely, with manuscript ''1'' and Belper undated backstamp. A superb and important item, believed to be unique and illustrated in the SG Spec Vol.1; cert. BPA (1989) (S.G. £55'000). (Image)

1840 J. Buchanan Letter Sheet (Type 2), from Atherstone to Ashby de la Zouche with ''Pd 1'' in manuscript, boxed 'No 1' in black and Atherstone datestamp. A great rarity in exceptional condition; cert. Brandon (2004). (Image)

1839 Treasury Competition Essays James Chalmers: 1d. essay in black on grey wove paper with the legend, "general post office/one penny", the centre with "Not ex. half and oz./1d." affixed to small ´letter-sheet´ by red sealing wax with the postmark "DUNDEE / SEPT. 30, 39." and the competition entry number "22290/39" alongside. Fine and rare. Only three examples recorded. Provenance: H.C.V. Adams, February 1956; M.H. Stothert, September 1975; "Chartwell" 2011. James Chalmers is an important figure in the history of the development of the postage stamp. He was a bookseller and publisher in Dundee and had spent many years campaigning for improvements to the postal service. It is claimed that he first proposed the idea of an adhesive label as early as 1834. For a long time there was a heated debate as to whom should be given the accolade of the inventor of the postage stamp, Rowland Hill or James Chalmers. Today the development of postage stamps is considered a process of general refinement with no single person responsible. However, the idea of a datestamp to cancel the stamps could well have originated from Chalmers ideas. He produced three designs each of 1d. and 2d. adhesive wafers which were affixed to wrappers and cancelled with the straight-line dated postmark. The first proposal was cancelled with a date of "sept.24,39.". The second, as the lot above, with the two-line postmark dated "sept.30, 39.". The final group cancelled "used" with the Dundee datestamp, "Oct.7, 39." HEADING The Treasury Competition Rowland Hill was not the only person considering ways of improving the mail system and some suggestions for prepaid labels and stationery had already been proposed. In 1839, the Treasury announced a public competition to artists, scientists and the general public to submit ideas for stamped covers or adhesive labels and for their security against forgery. The sums of £200 and £100 were offered for the two best proposals. There were over 2600 suggestions submitted, but only a small number related to postage stamps and included examples of their ideas. Although no submission was used, some of the ideas were utilised by Rowland Hill in his scheme. (Image)

1839 Treasury Competition Essays: James Chalmers 2d essay (type 3, Bates J) in red on white wove paper, cut to shape and used as a seal on small wrapper, with the legend, "general post office/two pence" around edge and "Not exceeding/Two Ounce." in centre with postmark "USED" and "DUNDEE / Oct. 7 39." and the competition entry number "22290/39" in ink alongside. Fine and extremely rare, believed to be one of only three examples in private hands with a fourth in the Royal collection. Provenance: "Durham". (Image)

1839 Treasury Competition Essays: Anonymous, attributed to James Bogardus who was one of the joint winners of the Treasury Competition, showing a hand drawn numeral in pen and ink "1" in the centre of a red border and bearing the legend below " 1/2 oz./Penny" in manuscript; fine and very rare. (Image)

1866 (Jan 30) envelope sent locally from Charles Whiting to Mr Smith in St Johns wood, bearing 1864-79 1d red pair pl.81, neatly tied by "WC/7" cancels in black, additionally bearing an imperforate pair of Beaufort house essays, and endorsed in manuscript, "Specimen of Postage Stamps as proposed by Mr C.W. 6 Years Previously to Mr R Hill./ With Mr C Whiting's compliments" a fine and very rare cover. In The hand of Charles Whiting. (Image)

1839/40 Whiting Composite Essay, whereby an embossed head in green was superimposed on the Beaufort House Essay in black and red, then mounted on sheet inscribed in manuscript 'Specimens of embossed and common stamping of cylindrical process conjoined'. A remarkable item, almost certainly unique; cert. Karl Louis (2019) with additional information included. Ex Cowan 1955, Ex Robson Lowe Auction 1971, Ex Griffiths 1982, Ex Robson Lowe Auction 1985, Ex Fraser 2001. (Image)

1837 John Dickinson London District Post Essay: 1d. lettersheet in yellow-buff on Dickinson patent silk thread paper featuring a fancy design on engine-turned background; a good example of this early design uncreased. Scarce. (Image)

1838 Proposal for a printed envelope, the J.W. Parker letter sheet printed in yellow which reads "Cambridge Bible Warehouse*, a fine and scarce forerunner (as illustrated in S.G. Spec. Vol.1). (Image)

1839 Post Office Permit letter sheet printed in green by Charles Whiting, Overprinted "Specimen"; superb quality. (Image)

1839 Stationery envelope essay by Charles Whiting, bearing a "PAID" embossed essay in yellow-green at upper left; a lovely example very rarely seen. (Image)

Charles Whiting essays, a selection of 5 different including Post Office Permit in black each cut out of a larger piece from a pamphlet or periodical, scarce. (Image)

1839 Treasury Competition Perkins, Bacon and Petch Essay, prepared to illustrate the skill of the firm's engravers, the engraving including the text of the Ten Commandments within small circles. Most attractive and very scarce. (Image)

1839 a fine selection of Charles Whiting essays (10) printed using the Sir William Congreve process as submitted for the treasury competition, a very fine and fresh "set of essays" including one on entire; a great page for a line engraved exhibit; fine and Rare. Charles Whiting was a prolific printer of Treasury essays, submitting at least 100 designs, he was one of four winners of the competition and was awarded £100. (Image)

Charles Whiting Embossed Essay using the Congreve process, heavily embossed on thick card, 150x185mm, showing the head of Lord Noel Byron in the centre with printed areas in blue, purple-brown and red, very fine and beautiful, ex Lady Mairi Bury (Image)

1840 1d black, a magnificent used "set" of the 12 plates from 1a -11, each stamp a carefully selected marginal inscription example with good margins on other sides, all except three cancelled by red Maltese crosses, only AD with small repair at right, a stunning set which would be incredibly difficult to replicate, and a superb intro page to any high class exhibit. Certs for all impressions. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1a AH with fine to good margins and light strike of a brownish-red MC, a fine example. (Image)

1840 (May 23) entire used to Edinburgh, bearing an 1840 1d black pl.1a AL, close to very large margins all round, neatly tied by a fine strike of the red Maltese cross, a nice clean and fresh May date cover. (Image)

1840 (dated internally 10 April) entire letter from St. Johns, Newfoundland, privately carried to London, then applied with an 1840 1d black CC pl.1a, on 18th May, with just touched to good margins neatly tied by red Maltese Cross, sent to Taunton showing arrival cds, re-addressed showing "Post Office/ Lyme/ Dorset" in manuscript and endorsed ‘’1d’’. A fine and scarce cover. Cert B.P.A. (2010). (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1a CE with four margins and brownish red MC, a fine example. (Image)

1840 1d grey-black pl.1a EH (worn plate) with good margins and neat strike of red MC, a fine and attractive example. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1a FB with good to large margins, neatly struck red MC, a fine and attractive example. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1a BH with fine even margins and red MC, fine. (Image)

1841 (18 Jul) Solicitor's entire to London, bearing two horizontal strips of five 1840 1d grey-black (very worn impression) pl.1a HA-HE and IG-IK paying the 10d rate for up to 5 ounces, each cancelled by black Maltese Crosses (very rare on this plate), backstamped Stone (18. 7.41) double-arc cds, and London 19. 7.41 arrival cds, the adhesives lifted, creasing reduced and hinged back in place, and the name and address partially re-written, none the less a magnificent and highly important franking, A superb Exhibition showpiece. Expertise: Cert BPA (2010). Provenance: "Victoria" 1974; Robson Lowe Sale 1992; "Mayflower". (Image)