Simplified set ½d to 5/- plus 1d Large & Small 'OS', the 5d is punctured Large 'OS', the 9d 1/- & 5/- stated to have listed varieties, a few minor defects but most are fine to very fine & lightly mounted and the 4d may be unmounted, STC $5000.
(Qty 14)
½d to £2 complete CTO with Melbourne cds - the 10/- & £2 with the scarcer 'MELBOURNE/ 24 /VIC' cds - variable centring as usual, most with no gum otherwise fine to very fine, Cat $12,000 minimum (£7000+).
(Qty 15)
½d to £2 complete punctured 'OS/NSW' plus a second 3d with the Watermark Inverted, variable centring and the odd short perf, the 2½d has no gum, the 5/- has slightly aged gum but is unmounted, the 10/- is lightly mounted, the £1 is superb unmounted & the £2 is lightly mounted. An unusually fine set of these rare official stamps. Separate Chris Ceremuga Certificates (2014) for the 5/- to £2. [Until now, the Australian Commonwealth Specialists' Catalogue has not listed or priced State Government Officials. We hope that will be addressed in future editions]
(Qty 16)
½d green with the Watermark Inverted ACSC 1a marginal block of 12 (4x3) from the left of the sheet with marginal watermark '..MMONWEALT...' Reading Upwards obvious from the face, variable centring, a couple of very minor bends, one unit very lightly mounted otherwise unmounted, Cat $4350+. A rare multiple.
½d green Plate 1 No Monogram strip of 3 from the L/L of the sheet ACSC 1(1)z, well centred, the first unit with a couple of minor bends, otherwise very fresh & very lightly mounted, Cat $1250. Ex Peter O'Rourke: sold for $835.
½d green Plate 1 block of 24 (12x2) from the base of the sheet with both No Monogram positions ACSC 1(1)z & za and Whale off Albany #1(1)g but before appearance of the retouch on unit [L58], most units well centred, a couple of minor blemishes otherwise very fine & fresh with most units including both No Monogram strips of 3 being unmounted, Cat $3000++ for mounted monogram strips & variety. Rare interpanneau strip.
½d green Plate 2 'CA' Monogram strip of 3 ACSC 1(2)z in a block of 6 (3x2) with Frame-Break above 'U' of 'AUSTRALIA', very fresh, perf separartion & reinforcing in the margin to left of the monogram otherwise the monogram strip of 3 is unmounted, Cat $1400++ for mounted.
½d green punctured Large 'OS' Plate 2 'CA' Monogram corner strip of 3 ACSC 1Abc(2)z in a block of 18 (6x3), Pos [2L55] with Nick at Upper-Left Corner but without the Shading Break above 'U' of 'AUSTRALIA' ACSC 1(2)j, light crease affects the three units in the monogram strip, the gum a little aged - most prominently in the margin at the base - and a couple of minor tonespots, unmounted, Cat $3225+ for a mounted monogram strip and 15 unmounted singles. Ex Julian Sterling, where it was stated that Pos [2L55] shows the Retouch to Frame-Break above 'U' of 'AUSTRALIA'. We can see no evidence of that retouch, nor of the similar Retouch above 'AU' of 'AUSTRALIA' on Pos [2L48] above it. However, Pos [2L55] does have the Nick at Upper-Left Corner which is identified by Greg Pope at page 70 as the first state of ACSC 1(2)j. This block, as one would expect of a Large 'OS' piece, is from an early printing.
½d green punctured Small 'OS' Plate 2 'CA' Monogram corner strip of 3 ACSC 1Abd(2)z in a block of 6 (3x2), Pos [2L55] with an advanced state of the Shading Break above 'U' of 'AUSTRALIA' ACSC 1(2)j, characteristic rough perfs, the gum a little aged with the upper row being a bit 'suntanned', the upper-right unit is very lightly mounted and there is a hinge remainder behind the monogram and a minor thin in the margin at lower-left from where another small piece of hinge has been removed, the monogram strip is otherwise very fine & unmounted, Cat $2400+ for a mounted monogram strip and three unmounted singles. Ex Arthur Gray, 'Fordwater' & 'Besancon' (III), sold for SFr564. Chris Ceremuga Certificate (2018) states "genuine in all respects...Rare multiple". [The ACSC states the monogram strip of 3 includes "varieties i and ia", which is an error for "j or ja" (there being no variety "ia" listed, and "ja" being the retouched state of "j")]
½d green Plate 2 'JBC' Monogram corner strip of 3 ACSC 1A(2)zb in a block of 10 (5x2), Pos [2R54] with Excess Colour Flaw at Lower-Right Corner ACSC 1(2)m, very well centred, hinge remainders & some associated rust spots in the lower margin, a few other faint tonespots, the stamps are all unmounted, Cat $1480+ for a mounted monogram strip & variety and six unmounted singles. Ex Arthur Gray & 'Fordwater': sold for US$488.
1d red Die I with the Watermark Sideways (Crown Pointing to Left as viewed from the reverse) ACSC 2ab (SG 2aw), well centred, a couple of short perfs, very fresh, Cat $2250 (£1800).
1d red Die I Plate C with Major Oil-Spill off SW Tasmania ACSC 2(C)i punctured 'OS' (as always), a few minor defects, Victorian cds well clear of the affected area, Cat $7500. One of the most outstanding plate varieties in the entire Kangaroo & Map Series. Rare: the ACSC states that the flaw was identified at the time of printing & the affected sheets were either punctured Small 'OS' or had the offending unit officially substituted. Two mint & about 20 used examples have been recorded.
Sale No: 247
Lot No: 2081
Symbol: **
Cat No: 2(C)zb
1d red Die I Plate C punctured Large 'OS' lower-right corner block of 30 with 'JBC' Monogram ACSC #2(C)zb, listed varieties #2(C)n & o and unlisted varieties on units [37], [39], [51], [55], [56] & [58], well centred, unmounted, Cat $3100++ for a mounted monogram strip of 3 & 27 unmounted singles. Superb! Ex Arthur Gray and Grace Foundation.
1d red Dies II-I Setenant Horizontal Pair, the right-hand unit being a Die I Substitution in a Die II Plate (D E or F), untidy Tasmanian cds clear of the Die I Break in the Frame at Lower-Left on the R/H stamp. Unlisted in the ACSC, despite another very similar pair - also cancelled in Tasmania - having been discovered in 2013 & subsequently expertised. Technically, this is one of the most important items in the entire Kangaroo series. RPSofV Certificate (2021). [See ACCC "Bulletin" (June 2013). The discovery pair - described as having "a couple of small defects" - sold at our auction of 8.11.2013 for $9900. We have been advised that this is now the third pair to be identified]
1d red Die II punctured 'OS/NSW' with the Perfin Inverted, well centred, a couple of very minor blemishes, light 'LIDCOM[BE/NSW]' cds. PCNZA Certificate (2022).
1d red Die II Plate F 'JBC' Monogram strip of 3 ACSC 3(F)z in a strip of 6, very lightly mounted mostly in the margins & the monogram strip of 3 is otherwise unmounted, Cat $2000++ for mounted.
1d red Die IIA Plate G Cracked Electro Advanced State from Top of the Stamp to the Base ACSC 4(G)La, light cds largely clear of the affected area, Cat $750. Ex Grace Foundation: sold for $551. The illustration is above Lot 2083.
1d red Die IIA Plate H 'CA' Monogram strip of 3 ACSC 4(H)z in a block of 12 (6x2) with Pos [L56] Archipelago off North West Cape ACSC 4(H)g, two units including the monogram stamp are very lightly mounted otherwise unmounted, Cat $4275+ for a mounted monogram strip of 3 and one mounted & eight unmounted units. [The ACSC does not mention that variety 'g' is present in the 'CA' Monogram strips; presumably these should be priced the same as the 'JBC' Monogram strips ($3250), which also include a variety priced the same as 'g'; see next lot. The catalogue value given above is as shown in the ACSC; with the higher price the value would be $4525+]
1d red Die IIA Plate K punctured Small 'OS' No Monogram block of 12 (6x2) from the R/H pane with Break at Base of Value Circle ACSC 4(K)zb, unused, Cat $4675+ (for mounted). Ex Grace Foundation: sold at our auction of 25.3.2021 for $2635.
2d grey with the Watermark Inverted 'JBC' Monogram single ACSC 5azc in a block of 4, well centred, light toning, the monogram unit is unmounted, Cat $6000+. Ex Julian Sterling: sold after the auction for $1985. [The ACSC states that "at least four JBC monogram pieces [sic] exist with the watermark inverted"]
2½d light indigo Plate 1 No Monogram strip of 3 from the left-hand pane ACSC 9(1)z in a block of 10 (5x2), variable centring, mounted in the margins & on the top row, the lower units are unmounted, Cat $10,500+ for a mounted No Monogram strip - Cat $9000 - and two unmounted & five mounted singles. Ex Kevin Nelson & Peter O'Rourke. [Stuart Hardy's mounted block of 6 sold for $4660]
Sale No: 247
Lot No: 2091
Symbol: *
Cat No: 5dw-ew
3d olive Dies II-I Pair with the Watermark Inverted ACSC 5aa-a (SG 5dw-ew) from the right of the L/H pane, the first unit with Island W of Arnhem Land (Early State) ACSC 5(1)e, characteristic 'fluffy' perfs, Cat $2500 for a normal Dies I-II pair plus significant premiums for the plate variety & the watermark being inverted (priced at $2850 or £1150 for singles with the watermark inverted).
3d Die I with Kiss Print ACSC 12cb, lightly mounted, Cat $1750. An underrated variety. [The ACSC states that only about ten examples mint or used have been recorded. The doubling is clearly evident on the Kangaroo's back, along the east coast & down the R/H frame-line where there is a noticable kink opposite the NSW south coast]
3d olive Die I Plate 2 'JBC' Monogram single ACSC 12A(2)zc in an irregular block of 6 (3x2), well centred, a few very minor tonespots, there is a small thin at the base of the monogram stamp and the adjoining unit at right, lightly mounted, Cat $3625 for the monogram single and five normal singles. Ex Lord Steinberg and 'Goldfarm', sold for US$975.
4d orange Plate 1 No Monogram strip of 3 from the L/L of the sheet ACSC 15(1)z in a block of 6 (3x2), faint aging with a few miniscule tonespots, four units lightly to very lightly mounted & two units unmounted, Cat $19,800+. Ex Peter O'Rourke. [Hugh Morgan's very fine strip of 3 sold for £4800]
5d chestnut Plate 2 'CA' Monogram single ACSC 16(2)zc, faint bend, CTO with full unmounted o.g., Cat $3500 for mounted mint. [Peter O'Rourke's 'JBC' mounted CTO pair sold for $1920]
6d ultramarine with Mangled (Retouched) Second 'E' in 'PENCE' [Pos R60] ACSC #17(1)j (SG 9a), very well centered & very lightly mounted, faint gum bend mentioned for accuracy, Cat $4000 (£2500).
9d violet listed varieties comprising Break in R/H Frame opposite Cape York ACSC 24(2)d, Islands between Value Circle & Mount Gambier 24(2)m (some redistribution of the gum), White Flaw above 'IA' of 'AUSTRALIA' 24(2)p and an earlier unlisted state, Cat $1750. Scarce quartet. Separate NPC Certificates (2021).
(Qty 4)
9d violet Plate 2 'CA' Monogram single ACSC 24(2)za with the lower part of the monogram trimmed off, faint bend, lightly mounted in the margin only, Cat $7500 for mounted mint.
2/- brown marginal block of 4 from the U/R of the pane, well centred, a few short perfs at left, the last unit very lightly mounted otherwise unmounted, Cat $8900+.
2/- brown 'CA' Monogram single ACSC 35(2)za, the margin skilfully rejoined, CTO with Melbourne cds, Cat $27,500. Rare. [The ACSC states that only one CTO single has been recorded, but doesn't state if the margin had been rejoined]
Sale No: 247
Lot No: 2109
Symbol: CTO
Cat No: Collection
5/- grey & chrome-yellow 'JBC' Monogram single ACSC 42Azc, CTO with large-part o.g., Cat $25,000. Superb! [The ACSC states in footnote 4 that the following eleven 'JBC' monogram pieces have been recorded: "three mint strips of 3 (one in the Royal Collection) and five mint singles, one punctured 'OS' ..., a CTO block of 4 and two CTO singles (total - 10)" [sic]. One of the mint singles is in the Australian National Philatelic Collection]
10/- grey & pink ACSC 35A (SG 12), excellent centring, small pencilled numerals on the reverse are of no consequence, very lightly mounted, ACSC Cat $2000 (£900). A lovely stamp.
Sale No: 247
Lot No: 2112
Symbol: CTO
Cat No: 24 cds
10/- grey & pink with Very Short Spencer Gulf ACSC 47(D)f additionally with Bandage at Top of Kangaroo's Leg [R12], CTO with Melbourne #24 cds, Cat $2000 for CTO + a premium for the varieties. NPC Certificate (2021).
£1 brown & blue ACSC 51 (SG 15) block of 4, very fresh colours, well centred, minor hinge remainder at the top, Cat $18,000+ (£10,000+) for singles. A rare & very attractive multiple. Significantly better centred & more attractive than the 'Artemis' block of 4 - two units unmounted - that sold for $21,560.
£1 brown & blue ACSC 51A (SG 15) corner block of 4 from the U/R of the sheet, excellent colours and facial appearance, lightly hinged in the margins otherwise unmounted but with faint aging that is most evident in the side margin, Cat $70,000++ (£12,000++ for mounted singles). A very rare multiple, especially of this quality. [Sold at our auction of 25.3.2021 for $32,345]
£1 red-brown & blue CTO with 'BRISBANE/QUEENSLAND' cds ACSC 51wc, very fresh colours, perfs at right slightly trimmed, large-part o.g., Cat $5000. Rare & very attractive. BPA Certificate (2001). [The 'Goldmine' example - no gum & a little soiled - sold in 2019 for $3340]
Sale No: 247
Lot No: 2117
Symbol: *
Cat No: 16 shade
£2 black & crimson ACSC 55B (SG 16 shade) from the base of the sheet with misplaced watermark & horizontal marginal watermark-line, strong colours, light gum-bend, very lightly mounted at the base, Cat $17,500 (£6500 for the normal shade). [The ACSC listing for this scarce shade as "grey & deep rose" is misleading]