EARLY LETTER TO SWITZERLAND: Large part, undated EL (probably 1750s/60s) addressed to Gex, near Geneva. With very fine strikes of "MARSEILLE" and "DE MALTHE". Charged "13". Rare to Switzerland.Cross Reference: SWITZERLAND (Image)

DISINFECTED MAIL FROM CONSTANTINOPLE; 1855 EL ex Constantinople to Malta 'per Haddington' and apparently carried privately with "PURIFIE AU LAZARET/MALTE" mark on front and an 1844 EL to Constantinople datelined at Boston and posted in London sent via France and rated '1/3'(d) on front. Rear with (French PO in) Constantinople arrival d.s. (2 covers) Cross Reference: OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, DISINFECTED MAIL, FRANCE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Image)

FOUR ENVELOPES TO FLORENCE WITH GB ADHESIVES: 1859 env. to Florence bearing 2d plate 7 strip of three GG-GI with "MALTA" duplex cancellation. 28 May 1869 env. to Florence with LC14 1d LJ and 2d plate 7 BA with "MALTA" duplex cancellations. Another with a similar franking and cancellation. 1861 env. to Florence with LC14 1d x 4 with "MALTA" duplex cancellations. All with damage to the back but collectable. (4 covers). (Image)

1860 ½d buff (shade) on blued paper optd. "SPECIMEN". Probably regummed and with very feint crease. Very rare. Cross Reference: SPECIMENS (Image)

QV-KGV MINT DEFINITIVE COLLECTION ON ALBUM LEAVES: Selection of mint defins. with values to 1/-, mostly lightly mounted or unmounted, from SG 8 & SG 10 (QV halfpenny buff shades) to SG 100 with many shade vars. included. Fine and fresh colours. Total cat. value c. £778 (42) (Image)

G.B. USED IN MALTA COVER TO TOKYO WITH TWO 1880 2d PALE ROSE PAIRS (DOUBLE RATE); Very unusual 22 Mar. 1883 env. (minor wear clear of stamps) from Malta to Prof. Chamberlain in "Tokio Japan" routed "By P&O Steamer" with both Vertical and Horizontal Pairs (a remarkable combination) of the G.B. 1880 2d Pale Rose just tied by two very fine "MALTA/A25" Duplexes with Singapore & Yokohama backstamps. Rare destination for a G.B. Used in Malta cover and of Exhibition Quality. [Ex Phillips auction, 7 Apr. 1983, lot 213; £275. A similar single-rate 1881 cover with just one 2d Pair from this same correspondence, in Cavendish's 15 Mar. 2017 'Dearnley Collection' auction, lot 524, realised £340+BP.] Cross Reference: JAPAN, G.B USED ABROAD STAMPS & COVERS (Image)

19th/20th CENTURY MAIL GROUP; Range with 1885 env. to London franked QV 2½d (3) with oval Malta and London reg. d.s. on front, 1901 env. to Lyon franked ¼d (10), 1908 PPC ex London to Crete franked KEVII 1d with Malta and Sliema transit c.d.s. on front, 1922 env. to Greece franked KGV 1d (3) with 'SELF-GOVERNMENT' opt, 1929 env. to Canada franked KGV ¼d (6), 1935 OHMS env. to USA franked KGVI 4½d with Valletta reg. label on front, 1939 airmail env. to Kenya franked KGVI 1/- + 2½d, 1945 envs. to Chicago or NY franked KGVI 2½d with oval "POSTAL/CENSOR" h.s. on front or different censor tapes at left & right, 1946 airmail env. to Tunis franked KGVI 1/6d + 2d pair and other related examples (81 covers/cards) Cross Reference: REGISTERED MAIL, AIR MAIL COVERS, POSTAL STATIONERY, CRETE (Image)

KGV 1922-26 DEFINITIVES: Complete mint set of 17 values to £1 black & bright carmine SG 123/140 with an additional £1 black & carmine-red value (wmk. sideways) SG 139. Mostly fine, lightly mounted. SG £400. (Image)