Worldwide Stamps and Postal History continued...

A very fine unmounted mint positional block with full original gum.

Very scarce in this form and condition showing the rare variety.

These stamps were used by the Australian forces occupying Japan after the Second World War. Initially their post offices supplied unoverprinted Australian stamps, but it was decided to introduce the overprinted issue to prevent currency speculation.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £387+.

Get Market Data for [Australia J4/a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A spectacular used example with huge margins showing portion of adjoining stamp at left, neatly cancelled with portrait clear and lovely fresh colour.

A real rarity in this exceptional condition and certainly the finest used example we have ever handled.

The engraved Chalon Heads (portrait by Edward Chalon, 1838) were issued in 1855 and were used for the next 25 years. They represent the key area of specialist Tasmania stamp collecting.

Provenance: Ex P.W. Robinson (SG Auctions 17/05/84, lot 46).

Accompanied with a British Philatelic Association (BPA) certificate of authenticity (1981).

Get Market Data for [Australia 16] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A brilliant quality mint example with original gum. A few shortish perforations, but still very fine for this rare error.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £325.

Get Market Data for [Australia 236dca] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine mint positional block with original gum. The lower pair are unmounted mint. A stunning piece, well-centred and with vibrant fresh colour.

A scarce block with both printing varieties.

Australia Specialised Catalogue No: 162zb.

Get Market Data for [Australia 153a/var] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very fine and fresh positional block with original gum, (the lower pair are unmounted mint). Some minor gum wrinkles which are inconsequential and of very fine appearance.

A particularly scarce block including the rare variety.

Australia Specialised Catalogue No: 161za

Get Market Data for [Australia 153/var] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A well-centred used example, lightly cancelled with large part '31 NOV 1912' circular date stamp. Odd shortish perforations and one faintly toned, do not detract as much above average for this rare stamp variety.

A really fine example of this rarity, with lovely fresh colour.

The iconic Swan issue of Western Australia was used as it was the emblem of the Colony and a reminder of when it was known as the Swan River Settlement.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £1,000.

Get Market Data for [Australia 157b] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very lightly used example with small part circular date stamp. One short corner perforation, but very fine quality for this exceedingly rare variety, with most examples being of much poorer quality.

The iconic Swan issue of Western Australia was used as it was the emblem of the Colony and a reminder of when it was known as the Swan River Settlement.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £650.

Get Market Data for [Australia 135a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

Western Australia 1860-64 6d sage-green, ROULETTED about 14, SG32.

An enormous example with large to very large margins all round (showing portions of adjoining stamps at top and right) and exceptionally with separations complete. Very lightly cancelled by '1' numeral of Perth. Minor tones mentioned for accuracy, but a remarkable stamp which would be difficult to improve on. A true 'condition rarity'.

The iconic Swan issue of Western Australia was used as it was the emblem of the Colony and a reminder of when it was known as the Swan River Settlement.

Get Market Data for [Australia 32] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very fine used example with large margins, neatly cancelled by "19" numeral of Port Arthur. A lovely example with fresh colour.

Tasmania, an island just off south-eastern Australia, was one of the six British colonies that merged to form the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. Van Diemen's Land was established in 1803 and was the second British colony after New South Wales in 1788. Van Diemen's Land was renamed Tasmania in 1856.

This early Tasmanian stamp issue of 1853 shows a portrait of Queen Victoria and are known as “Couriers” after the Hobart Town Courier newspaper office, where they were printed. As an early colonial Australian stamp, they are keenly sought after by collectors and rarely found in such fine condition.

Get Market Data for [Australia 10] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A very fine mint example with large part original gum. A few slightly shortish perforations, which do not detract as still a really fine well-centred example.

A most attractive King Edward VII stamp in choice quality.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £475.

Get Market Data for [Australia 444] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A well-centred mint block of 4 with brilliant original gum (lower pair unmounted mint). A lovely quality block of this attractive early Victorian stamp.

A rarity as a multiple in such fine condition.

Provenance: ex Marcel Stanley.

Note: Queensland was proclaimed a separate colony on 10 December 1859, but continued to use New South Wales stamps until 1 November 1860. As you would expect for a colony named after the Queen, all the early issues featured Queen Victoria.

Get Market Data for [Australia 20] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fresh and fine mint example, rarely seen as such.

Most attractive and very scarce Telegraph stamps depicting an allegorical figure representing "Time".

Telegraph stamps are stamps intended solely for the prepayment of telegraph fees.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £750.

Get Market Data for [Australia T5] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A good pair with large part original gum. Slight stains on reverse, and the 2d stamp with some creasing.

Decent quality for these scarce and exotic stamps. These were the first Telegraph stamps issued by New South Wales and are stated to have been in use for one month only. Very rarely available on the market.

Telegraph stamps are stamps intended solely for the prepayment of telegraph fees.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £455.

Get Market Data for [Australia T1/2] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine used example with full original gum. A few slightly shortish perforations as often seen, but a really fine for this rare Official stamp.

New South Wales celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1888 with an issue of what is widely considered to be the first commemorative stamps. The set of eight, each with a different design, were all inscribed "ONE HUNDRED YEARS". The 20 shilling value included portraits of both Arthur Phillip, the first governor, and the then-governor, Lord Carrington.

This rare Official stamp was for use by government officials on government mail only.

Accompanied with a British Philatelic Association (BPA) certificate of authenticity (2016).

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £1,100.

Get Market Data for [Australia O50] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine mint block of 24 with original gum (two centre rows are unmounted mint). Some gum creasing affecting columns 4 (technically 12x12x12x11½) and 5, and row 2 with some small gum tones, still fine fresh appearance.

A very scarce multiple of considerable technical philatelic interest.

A quintessential stamp issue depicting an allegorical figure of Australia.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £960++.

Get Market Data for [Australia 265/b] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine and rare group, with the slate and vermilion not present in the Royal Philatelic Collection and particularly appealing.

A quintessential stamp issue depicting an allegorical figure of Australia. The stamp was ultimately issued in ultramarine.

Get Market Data for [Australia 265] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

Brilliant mint pairs with large part original gum to full original gum. The right stamp of the first pair with fault on reverse, and the last pair with straight edge at left, nevertheless an exceptional trio and interesting philatelic display piece.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £780+.

Get Market Data for [Australia 203/4] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine and fresh mint block of 9 with original gum, (four of the stamps are unmounted). A little reinforcement and with neat annotations in left margin. A splendid and interesting multiple.

Extremely scarce in this positional form.

Get Market Data for [Australia 305] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine used blocks of four, lightly cancelled by part to large part strikes of Sydney 'MY 16 1883' circular date stamps. Separation between upper pair and two stamps with small faults, but remains an attractive and very scarce multiple.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £240+.

Get Market Data for [Australia O33a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine used example, lightly cancelled leaving most of profile clear.

A very scarce Government Official stamp in this perforation.

Get Market Data for [Australia O27b] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine mint pair with large part original gum. Typical perforations and centring and still fine for this issue. The albino impression is clearly visible (from the back) and shifted horizontally by 50%.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £320+.

Get Market Data for [Australia O22aa] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine used example with clear profile. A scarce stamp only found in used condition and rarely so fine.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £130.

Get Market Data for [Australia O19a] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine and fresh mint block of four with original gum.

A scarce and unusual block.

Get Market Data for [Australia 362/var] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A nicely centred block of 9, the two upper rows each with 'NWEALTH' marginal letters watermark. Further benefits from fresh original gum (seven stamps being unmounted). Odd minor wrinkles, to be expected, but a scarce and most attractive multiple.

A rare stamp with only 6,240 issued and a rare find indeed as a mint block of nine.

Get Market Data for [Australia 361/var] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

A fine used example with part 'SP 18 1907' circular date stamp.

A real rarity on this value. The stamps from this series without watermark are from the edge of the sheet.

Australia Specialised Catalogue No: N31aa

The catalogue value in the last edition in 2004, unused, was $2,500.

Get Market Data for [Australia 357var] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census