POSTAL HISTORY: 1901 illustrated envelope from the Queens Hotel in Kandy, attractive selection of QV issues cancelled with the hotel's boxed cachet and Kandy CDS (25 AU 1901), inscribed "per French Mail" to Germany, folded with a few flaws. Appealing envelope and franking (Image)

1893 2c die proof in black on white card (60mm x 92mm), handstamped "29 MAR 93", "AFTER STRIKING", initialled in ink under the design, scarce and fine (Image)

1938-49 5c sage-green and orange variety 'WATERMARK INVERTED', lightly cancelled. Fine and extremely rare as this the first example we have ever seen. To be listed in 2024 Commonwealth catalogue as SG 387fw (Image)

Telegraph: 1882-94 60ct on 2r50 grey, type T77 surcharge (issue of 23 Apr 84), upper half showing surcharge misplaced downwards and the original value crossed through by pen, tied to piece of telegraph form by part '20-5' ds. A very rare and desirable showpiece item, and one of only TWO examples known to us (the other example being in the Royal Collection). SG T82var (Image)

Queen Victoria collection with part and full sheets, blocks, postal history. Includes 1885 15c on 16c with shifted overprint in a sheet of 120 (faulty), 1893 2r50 purple on red pair on piece to POW, 1890 5c on 15c study with varieties, 1899-1900 set to 2R25, study with mint blocks of four, shades etc. A useful lot for the specialist (Image)

1872-1947 collection (hundreds) on leaves, mint and used but the main value obviously in mint. Some darker gum, heavier mounts and minor faults but generally a very nice collection. Includes (all mint unless stated) SG 146, 162 used (foxed), 174 heavy hinge, 178a darker gum, not guaranteed but seems OK, 187-93, 1888-90 surcharges with varieties including 205b, 206 toned block of four, 206a, 208, 208a extensive hingemark, 210a, 233e, 245-74, 276-88, 292-300, 301-319 with Dies, shades and papers, 363-7, 368-78 with perfs, 381f, later with 386a, 387a, 394a. Careful viewing recommended (Image)

1857-1949 used collection (289) on leaves. A nice page of SG 2-58, some highly catalogued stamps, with viewing recommended; surcharges with SG 157, 162, 172-3, 1888 group with two inverts, SG 241-3, 254 (2), 255, 256-64, 265-276, 277-88, 298-9, 301-318 with shades, 338-356, 381f, etc. Mostly good (Image)

THEMATIC: Wonderful collection centred on Ceylon Tea, mounted on large display sheets (31cm x 46cm - 20 sheets), also an album of loose material housed in a binder. Interesting mix of postal history, postcards, ephemera etc. Of note: 1905 Tea Sample parcel label with pair of 4c and 3c KEVII affixed to back, addressed to California, USA. Label marked “Gift Tea From Forces” sent during WWII to the UK with censor mark. Advertising envelope for “Blackburn Estate Tea”, advertising postcard for the German market sent to Germany 1899, 1932 cover to Glasgow with 9c KGV perfin and “Drink Empire Tea- Britain's Best Beverage” slogan handstamp. Lot also includes maps and a box of tea related items, the most interesting of which is an original wooden tea box with the Parcel Post customs label still attached, from RAF serviceman to Canada. Eight Ceylon Survey Maps mounted on hard board and a decorative 1933 map of the island (please note the oversized nature of the maps). A unique and interesting lot (Image)