British Guiana

**Postal History**
Lot	Symbol	Catalog No.	Descrip	Opening
30000			1810-47 Collection of postal history neatly mounted and written up on six album pages, from "BERBICE" 1810, large horseshoe of Demerara (2, one with date error), Demerara fleurons (2), Berbice 2-line datestamps (3), rare "DEMERARY" 2-line datestamp (illustrated in Townsend and Howe), rare "DEMERARA SHIP LETTER", rare Packet Rate hs "1/2", generally fine strikes (11 items). Provenance: John E. du Pont(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Collection]	Estimate. GBP 1,200 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30001			1818-60 Accumulation of postal history neatly mounted and written up on thirteen album pages, including covers carried outside the mails, Missionary letters from Berbice and Georgetown with "SHIP LETTER" markings, Demerara horseshoe error of year, Berbice straight-line datestamp, Demerara Fleurons etc, fair to fine, a good lot (24 items). Provenance: John E. du Pont(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image 5) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Collection]	Estimate. GBP 600 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30002			1821 Folded letter sheet from Demerara to London, bearing a fine strike of the "DEMERARA/NO.22.1821" fleuron, with red London arrival alongside; a scarce example of this strike in this quality.(Image 1) (Image 2)	Estimate. GBP 100 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30003			1837 Folded disinfected entire from Demerara via London to France, dated 27th April 1837, bearing a fine strike of the undated "DEMERARA" small fleuron, with various London transit and arrival markings alongside and on reverse; a rare, disinfected usage from British Guiana.(Image 1) (Image 2)	Estimate. GBP 150 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30004			1850 Folded entire to France showing markings of all three Guianas: "GUYANE FRANCAISE" from Cayenne in French Guiana, transit of "PARAMARIBO" in Dutch Guiana, and 9 December 1850 "DEMERARA" of British Guiana, sent by Royal Mail service and with "ART 13" accounting hs on face, charged 15 decimes in France on arrival; very rare and unusual, mentioned in Townsend and Howe on pages 202-203 and stated that only two such covers are known. Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60122, David Feldman SA, June 2014)(Image 1) (Image 2)	Estimate. GBP 300 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30005			1869 Incoming stampless envelope from Edinburgh to Georgetown, redirected to Montreal, Canada, showing rare black boxed "ADV. NOT CALLED FOR" and "ADV", plus a host of transit, arrival and manuscript markings on front and reverse including Georgetown bs; attractive and full of character.(Image 1) (Image 2)	Estimate. GBP 200 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30006			1879 Envelope sent from Georgetown via French packet "Venezuela" to Bordeaux, France, franked Peace & Commerce (type Sage) 35c pair, paying the double rate, tied by octagonal "DEMERARI/5.DEC.79/PAQ.C No.1" maritime ds, Bordeaux arrival bs; an important postal history rarity with this maritime marking with only five items recorded; (Salles fig. 1531a, rated 'RR'). Provenance: "François" collection, Sale no.3, important French postal history sales (ms notation on reverse) T. V. Roberts John E. du Pont Expertise: Signed Calves and Goebel(Image 1) (Image 2) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Collection]	Estimate. GBP 1,000 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM

**British Post Offices**
Lot	Symbol	Catalog No.	Descrip	Opening
30007	O,	SG Z1-4	1858 Perkins Bacon archive cancellation proof sheet with oval numerals A01 to A15 including Demerara "A03" and Berbice "A04", as well as numerals for other BWI islands including Jamaica, Antigua, Grenada, Bahamas, Honduras, Dominica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Tortola and Tobago, all struck in red, four horizontal folds (two passing through strikes of Dominica and St. Lucia, not detracting from the spectacularity of this exhibition item; one of only two recorded examples of this proof sheet, an important British West Indies and G.B. Used Abroad showpiece. Note: The actual obliterators were sent out in April 1858, and were used from June. Two varying types exist of each, with larger and smaller numerals. After April 1860 they were often used to cancel British Guiana stamps. Provenance: John E. du Pont(Image 1) (Image 2) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Z1-4]	Estimate. GBP 1,500 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30008			THE EARLIEST KNOWN GREAT BRITAIN USE FROM SOUTH AMERICA 1847-54, G.B. embossed 6d lilac, clear to enormous margins originating from the left of the sheet, paying the uniform British Packet rate of sixpence, used on cover from Berbice "per Steamer" to Scotland, cancelled by pen-strokes, with despatch 24 March 1856 cds of Berbice (small sans-serif) on reverse. An unlisted (by Stanley Gibbons) use of the Embossed issue from the Colony, and only known use from British Guiana. A major rarity of Great Britain used abroad as the earliest known use of a Great Britain stamp from South America. Note: As the British Guiana stamps then current were only valid in the colony, prepaid mail to Great Britain and other countries required the use of British stamps. These were sold and used from Berbice (New Amsterdam) and Demerara (Georgetown), and available from 11 May 1858, when the stamps of British Guiana were valid only for local postage (until 1 May 1860). Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60123, David Feldman SA, June 2014) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014)(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3)	Estimate. GBP 8,000 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30009		SG Z3	1858 Envelope from Demerara to Campbelton, Scotland, franked by 6d lilac wing margin example paying the single rate, neatly tied by clear "A03" numeral oval of Demerara, with matching despatch cds for September 9 on flap; very scarce usage.(Image 1) (Image 2) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Z3]	Estimate. GBP 200 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30010		SG Z1+Z2	1859 Cover from Demerara (letter inside encloses bill for £100) to Stratford by Royal Mail Steamer, endorsed "Per Mail/Feby 9/59", with two 1d red and single 4d rose paying the standard British Packet rate of sixpence, cancelled by "A03" numeral ovals of Demerara, matching despatch cds for 9 February 1859 over flap, slight soiling at edges; a rare usage. Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60124, David Feldman SA, June 2014) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014)(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Z1+Z2]	Estimate. GBP 300 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30011		SG Z2	1859 Cover from Demerara to Baltimore (United States), bearing a pair of 4d rose tied by "A03" numeral oval of Demerara, with corresponding 9 January 1859 despatch cds on flap, carried via St. Thomas (15 January), with the stamps being additionally tied by New York "20" handstamp; a scarce rate and destination. Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60125, David Feldman SA, June 2014) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014)(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Z2]	Estimate. GBP 300 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30012		SG Z2+Z3	1859 Envelope from Demerara to Dieppe (France), bearing single 4d rose and wing margin pair of 6d lilac, paying to destination the single British and French rates, cancelled by "A03" numeral oval of Demerara, showing matching 10 October 1859 despatch cds on flap, all stamps being tied; a rare cover with this combination of values and to an uncommon destination, not noted by Townsend and Howe. Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60126, David Feldman SA, June 2014) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014)(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Z2+Z3]	Estimate. GBP 600 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30013	,	SG Z3	1858-59 Group including 1859 half a cover to London with two 1856 6d lilac paying double British Packet rate and tied by clear "A04" numeral ovals of Berbice, matching despatch cds for 8 June 1859 on flap; also two 1858 and 1859 covers, each bearing wing-margin 6d cancelled by "A03" numeral oval of Demerara, one with wing-margin cut down; rare. Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60127, David Feldman SA, June 2014)(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Z3]	Estimate. GBP 300 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30014		SG Z4	1859 Cover from Demerara to London, bearing wing-margin pair of 1s green cancelled by "A03" numeral oval of Demerara, matching despatch cds for 25 November on flap, pair just tied at lower right, slight corner bend on left stamp and cover shortened at left, not detracting from a unique usage; a very desirable franking as the only known 1s pair on cover (Townsend and Howe state "1/- value not seen on cover"). Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein (lot 264, H. R. Harmer, February 1969) John E. du Pont (Lot 60128, David Feldman SA, June 2014) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014)(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Z4]	Estimate. GBP 600 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30015		SG Z1+Z3	1860 Cover from Demerara to Sunderland, franked by strip of six 1d red and single 6d lilac paying double the uniform British Packet rate of sixpence, tied by "A03" numeral oval of Demerara, struck on flap with matching 24 March despatch cds, one 1d faulty at left; a rare franking with this combination of values, not being noted by Townsend and Howe. Provenance: John E. du Pont (Lot 60129, David Feldman SA, June 2014) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014)(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Z1+Z3]	Estimate. GBP 700 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30016	O,,	SG Z1-4	1858-60 Range of Great Britain stamps and covers used in British Guiana cancelled by "A03" numeral ovals of Demerara, with 1d red pair, 4d rose single, 6d lilac singles (2, one on dated piece), pairs (2) and strip of three, 1s green (rare), 6d lilac on two covers to England 1859, mostly fine, a good group; (SG £3'700+) (18). Provenance: John E. du Pont(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image 5) (Image 6) (Image 7) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Z1-4]	Estimate. GBP 700 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM

**1850 Cotton-Reels (SG 1-8)**
Lot	Symbol	Catalog No.	Descrip	Opening
30017	O	SG 1	THE TWO CENTS: ONE OF TWO EXISTING SINGLE EXAMPLES IN PRIVATE HANDS 1850-51, 2 cents black on pale rose, Townsend Type A, with initials of postal official Smith "JBS", cut round, with central 7 October 1851 Demerara datestamp, usual defects (see certificate) of no significance for such an important rarity; (SG £325'000). The rarest stamp of the legendary "Cotton-Reel" primitives, being one of the only two single examples remaining in private hands. Two pairs, each on cover, are also known outside institutions, of which one is offered in this sale; the other two single stamps belonging to the collections of the British Library in London and the Post and Telecommunications Museum in Bonn (Germany). IN TERMS OF CLASSIC WORLDWIDE RARITIES, THIS "NUMBER ONE" OF BRITISH GUIANA IS CONSIDERED TO BE AMONGST THE GREATEST OF ALL PHILATELIC TREASURES. With only two singles off cover and two pairs on two covers in private hands, this worldwide gem is still remarkably underestimated in the SG catalogue in comparison to other primitive rarities like the 'Blue Mauritius' (SG £1'500'000, with five singles off cover known in private hands) or the 'Missionary' of Hawaii 2 cents (Scott $250'000, with eleven singles off cover known in private hands). Note: This 2 cents value was issued in 1851 to pay a local town letter rate (the Georgetown Penny Post), a service which was unpopular and little used, with no town post usages being known to have survived. This is the first example of the 2 cents circular to be found, being discovered by N. R. McKinnon in 1877, a local resident and well known vendor of British Guiana stamps at that time. Provenance: Philipp von Ferrary Sir William B. Avery Théodore Champion King Farouk (Lot 1231, H.R.Harmers, February 1954) Ernest Hunt René Berlingin (David Feldman SA, 1978, sold for CHF66'000) John E. du Pont (Lot 60000, David Feldman SA, June 2014, sold for €190'000) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014)(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Collection]	Estimate. GBP 100,000 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30018		SG 1	THE FAMOUS "MISS ROSE" COVER ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED COVERS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE 1850-51 2 cents black on pale rose, vertical pair, both being Townsend Type C showing the usual thick frame line, with initials of postal official Dalton "E.T.E.D.", partially cut round showing portions of outer frameline, clearly tied by two strikes of "DEMERARA/5.AU.1851" double-arc on entire letter addressed to "Miss Rose, Blankenburg", this cover being found by Miss Rose when she was asked to donate any early stamps to a charity bazaar taking place in Demerara, with the proceeds going to Christ Church; (SG £650,000 as two singles). The earliest known cover of the just three recorded exhibiting this denomination, this bearing the only known examples of type C, with the other eight, comprising two pairs and four singles, being type B. Of the ten 2 cents examples recorded, only two single stamps and two covers are available to collectors, the third cover being part of the collection of the Queen, and the two singles belonging to the collections of the British Library in London and the Post and Telecommunications Museum in Bonn (Germany). In addition, this is the only cover where the cancellations tie the stamps to the outer letter sheet. This cover exhibits the rarest value of the "Cotton-Reel" primitives and is consequently also regarded as one of the most important covers of the British Empire. ONE OF THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS OF BRITISH GUIANA. A SUPERLATIVE RARITY OF WORLDWIDE PHILATELY. In the 1977 Claude Cartier sale by Stanley Gibbons, it was described as "one of the 'top ten' philatelic rarities". The catalogue value of two singles off cover is £650,000, which seems very conservative compared to the prices for which major British Empire rarities have sold lately, as the British Guiana 1c Magenta (sold for $8.3 million) and the Mauritius 'Post Office' 1d 'Ball Invitation' cover (sold for hammer €8.15 million). Note: The 2 cents stamps were issued in 1851, eight months after the other values. It was issued to pay a local town letter rate (the Georgetown Penny Post), a service which was unpopular and little used. No town post usages are known to have survived. It is not known how many stamps there were to the sheet; the method of printing suggested is that the four tubes were arranged in a straight line in a form to print a strip of four at each operation of the press. The three recorded multiples of the 2 cents establish that the stamps in the lower row were vertically below the stamps in the upper row; the three multiples are vertical pairs , and in no pair is there more than one type, with the two stamps being well aligned one above the other, although the distances between stamps vary, with the conclusion being that the paper was repositioned by hand in the press to enable the next row to be impressed. The 2 cents was first discovered by N. R. McKinnon in 1877. Provenance (as listed in the Encyclopaedia of Rare and Famous Stamps by L.N. Williams, both stamps numbers VII and VIII): 1896 Miss Rose presented the letter to Christ Church, Demerara 1896 E.C. Luard bought the letter for $1,005 (£205) 1896 Stanley Gibbons Ltd. bought the letter for £600 1896 H.J. Duveen bought the letter for £650 1922 Arthur Hind bought the letter through Charles Phillips for about $5,000 1934 May 7th Auction H.R. Harmer, Hind sale 2 - £1,300 ($5,656) and bought by Theodore Champion for his own collection 1960 (?) Acquired by Mrs. John Denny Dale 1969 February 17th Auction H.R. Harmer Inc., Dale-Lichtenstein sale 3, lot 410 - $34,000 (bought by Stanley Gibbons) 1970 (?) Claude Cartier bought the letter 1977 April 21st Auction, Classics from the Claude Cartier sale (Stanley Gibbons), lot 23 - £70,000 ($168,000 approx.) 1990 May 11th Auction Stanley Gibbons sale 5686, lot 17 - £161,000 ($318,000 approx.) 1996 November 28th - December 2nd ANPHILEX ´96 New York display as Aristocrat of Philately No. 8 on loan from an anonymous collector 2006 Acquired by Tatiana at the Spink auction during the Washington Exhibition 2016 Acquired privately by the current owner THE STORY OF THE "MISS ROSE" COVER This is one of the most remarkable philatelic finds ever made. On Easter Day 1896, Christ Church in Demerara was overdrawn at the bank to a sum of £100 or so, and in order to make the instalments on the mortgage and other claims, efforts were being made to raise money. An old lady, Miss Preston, sent two stamps as a donation which were sold for $33.60 and so on Easter Monday Canon F.P.L. Josa visited Miss Preston to thank her for the gift. Whilst there he enquired if she had any more stamps as buyers were offering over £100 for the 2c. rose of 1851. Miss Preston told him that she had given all her stamps away but then brought out an old basket filled with receipts and bills, and it was here that Canon Josa discovered the 'Miss Rose' letter. As it happened, Miss Rose herself was present in the room as the discovery was made and was overjoyed to be able to give something worthwhile to the church. This happened in Blankenburg (also indicated in the addressee's panel), the plantation on the west coast where Miss Rose had her residence.(Image 1) (Image 2) Get Market Data for [British Guiana Collection]	Estimate. GBP 250,000 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM
30019	O	SG 2	THE FINEST 4 CENTS EXAMPLE KNOWN 1850-51, 4 cents black on orange, Townsend Type B, with initials of postal official Lorimer "WHL", deep fresh colour, cut octagonally with good to large even margins, central clear full strike of Demerara datestamp on 9 November 1859, in an exceptional condition for this very rare stamp; (SG £16'000+). Cut round, or cut square 4c orange "Cotton Reels" have usually touched or cut into margins. Examples possessing wide margins all around and without faults are major rarities. This extraordinary example is the finest known, and one of only two recorded off cover without faults and complete margins. Provenance: Philipp von Ferrary (Lot 33, Sale I, June 1921, "très beau") John E. du Pont (Lot 60001, David Feldman SA, June 2014) Expertise: Cert. BPA (2014).(Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) Get Market Data for [British Guiana 2]	Estimate. GBP 8,000 CLOSED Closing..Oct-13, 11:59 PM