1848 (Mar 24) Entire from Colombo to Calcutta with rare "BRITISH PACKET / PAID / POSTAGE" hs, endorsed "per Steamer from Galle", Colombo Steamer Letter despatch bs and Calcutta GPO arrival, fine (Image)

1949 UPU complete mint set of three all showing SPECIMEN ovpt (Type 6) in blue, very fine and scarce (Image)

COLLECTIONS: 1872-1969, Mint collection on album pages incl. SPECIMENS, incl. 1883-98 24c specimen, 1885 specimen set of 7, specimen sets through to 1912-25 set incl. 50R, 100R, 500R and 1'000R, 1921-32 set incl. 50R and both 100R, and continuing until 1947, with normal issues afterwards, issues up to 1908 with central paper adherence, later issues hinged, mostly fine with fresh colours (SG £10'700 ) (Image)

COLLECTIONS: 1926-47, Mint nh SPECIMEN group incl. 1926 set of 2, 1935-36 set of 11, 1935 Jubilee, 1937 Coronation, 1938-40 set of 14 (25c bent corner perf, 5r slightly streaky gum), 1946 Victory and 1947 Inauguration, mostly very fine and fresh (SG £1'580) (Image)