Worldwide Stamps and Postal History continued...

A fine mint positional block of four with original gum. Some faint surface marks, which are mainly in the margin and the normal stamps are all unmounted mint.

A scarce positional multiple of this King George VI issue, particularly with the printing variety present, which is catalogued alone at £400.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £490+.

Between 1933 and 1946, the constitution of Malta was suspended returning to British rule as a crown colony. This was because of the important of Malta to the Allied nations during World War II. The British Mediterranean Fleet was headquartered there early in the war. The Allied invasion of Sicily was launched from Malta. Prior to the Yalta Conference, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin had met in Malta to begin discussions on the post-war division of Europe.

In 1947, a new constitution was implemented and internal self-government in Malta was re-established. So, yet again, during 1948 Malta stamps celebrated the resumption of internal self-government in the colony. This resulted in all the definitive stamps of King George VI being overprinted in celebration of the colony's new political status.

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This is the first printing on thin surfaced paper in a splendid block of 4, unmounted mint with full original gum. One stamp with tiny inclusion, still in lovely condition.

A very attractive block of the first stamp issues from Malta issued for local mail and rarely seen in such fine quality.

The only stamps from Malta issued between 1860 and 1885 were the ½d denomination. They were all printed in various shades of buff and on papers with various watermarks. Because of this, stamps from Great Britain were used concurrently with the Maltese stamps during this time period.

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A fine and fresh mint example with large part original gum.

A popular commemorative issue and a very scarce variety in unused condition.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £325.

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A fine mint example with large part original gum. Minor gum disturbance from hinge removal, which is fairly inconsequential as it is of lovely fresh appearance.

A popular commemorative issue and a very scarce variety in unused condition.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £325.

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A very fine and fresh unmounted mint example with full original gum. Accompanied with the normal stamp for comparison.

A scarce error of missing colour affecting the beak.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £325.

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An upper right corner block of 4 with '0653' sheet number, unmounted mint with full original gum. Slight marginal creasing, which does not detract from overall very fine and fresh appearance.

An extremely scarce positional multiple of this colour shade variety, which is very difficult to find.

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A right marginal horizontal pair, showing the 'IJ' flaw on right stamp (right pane, R3/6). Unmounted mint quality with full original gum. Some minor traces of gum toning, not affecting fine fresh appearance.

A scarce King George VI variety.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £300.

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A very fine mint, well-centred example, with original gum.

A scarce variety of this popular commemorative issue.

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A brilliant quality unmounted mint block of twenty with full original gum and especially attractive in the distinctive deep shade with stunning vibrant colour.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £95+.

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A stunning block of 18 (6x3) being three rows from the right pane with both side margins, Very fresh mint quality with original gum. There is only a small trace of a previous hinge on one stamp, the rest being unmounted mint. Crease in left margin and minor separation in right margin, commonly seen in blocks of this size and still a very attractive block.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £288+.

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An upper right corner block of 4 with plate number '1', in fresh unmounted mint condition with full original gum. A few very minor gum wrinkles, mentioned for accuracy, which does not detract from what is an exceptional quality.

A beautiful stamp design and a very scarce proving piece.

Subsequent printings on chalk-surfaced paper were from plate '2'.

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A very fine and fresh, unmounted mint positional block with full original gum. An important positional multiple, unique in private hands, and never previously on the market.

"SPECIMEN" examples were used solely by postal administrations for reference purposes to help spot any attempted forgeries.

Provenance: Ex British Postal Museum Archives (BPMA).

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1903-05 25c purple and black on blue, wmk CA, horizontal pair, right stamp showing variety 'Broad top to 'M' (left pane, R7/3), very fine o.g. (variety unmounted).

A very fine mint pair with original gum. Most importantly, the high value printing variety is in pristine unmounted mint condition.

An exceptional and scarce philatelic piece in this se-tenant form.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £74+.

Following a decision to identify the exact revenue derived from the Morocco postal service, separate stamps were needed for the Morocco Agencies. This requirement further became necessary because of a Revision of Fees Ordinance in Gibraltar, which required all fees to be collected in Sterling, while the Morocco Agencies continued to use Spanish currency. This led to the introduction of Gibraltar stamps with 'Morocco Agencies' overprints.

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A very fine unmounted mint horizontal pair with full original gum. Almost never seen in such pristine condition.

The variety is scarce as only 507 maximum possible with a high degree of postal usage. Particularly rare as a positional pair.

Following a decision to identify the exact revenue derived from the Morocco postal service, separate stamps were needed for the Morocco Agencies. This requirement further became necessary because of a Revision of Fees Ordinance in Gibraltar, which required all fees to be collected in Sterling, while the Morocco Agencies continued to use Spanish currency. This led to the introduction of Gibraltar stamps with 'Morocco Agencies' overprints.

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A fine and fresh unmounted mint example with full original gum.

From first printing, right-hand pane, R6/6. A very rare variety with only a maximum of 708 possible (both colours), with a high degree of postal usage.

Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £120.

When the colonial posts became independent of the British GPO on 1 January 1886, Gibraltar retained responsibility for the Morocco Agencies. Further offices, each under the control of the local Vice-Consul were opened from 1886 onwards.

Following a decision to identify the exact revenue derived from the Morocco postal service, it became necessary to provide separate issues for the Morocco Agencies. The need was reinforced when the Revision of Fees Ordinance in Gibraltar required all fees there to be collected in sterling, while the Morocco Agencies continued to use Spanish currency.

These Queen Victoria Gibraltar stamps overprinted "Morocco Agencies" were the first issues from 1 June 1898.

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A brilliant quality mint pair with original gum. Very fine and fresh colour.

Following a decision to identify the exact revenue derived from the Morocco postal service, separate stamps were needed for the Morocco Agencies. This requirement further became necessary because of a Revision of Fees Ordinance in Gibraltar, which required all fees to be collected in Sterling, while the Morocco Agencies continued to use Spanish currency. This led to the introduction of Gibraltar stamps with 'Morocco Agencies' overprints.

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A fine mint example with original gum.

From first printing, right-hand pane, R6/6. A very rare variety with only a maximum of 708 possible (both colours), with a high degree of postal usage.

When the colonial posts became independent of the British GPO on 1 January 1886, Gibraltar retained responsibility for the Morocco Agencies. Further offices, each under the control of the local Vice-Consul were opened from 1886 onwards.

Following a decision to identify the exact revenue derived from the Morocco postal service, it became necessary to provide separate issues for the Morocco Agencies. The need was reinforced when the Revision of Fees Ordinance in Gibraltar required all fees there to be collected in sterling, while the Morocco Agencies continued to use Spanish currency.

These Queen Victoria Gibraltar stamps overprinted "Morocco Agencies" were the first issues from 1 June 1898.

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A very fine and fresh, unmounted mint positional block with full original gum. An important positional multiple, unique in private hands, and never previously on the market.

"SPECIMEN" examples were used solely by postal administrations for reference purposes to help spot any attempted forgeries.

Provenance: Ex British Postal Museum Archives (BPMA).

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A very fine unmounted mint horizontal pair with full original gum. A few shortish perforations, which doesn't diminish what is an exceptionally fine piece.

The variety is scarce as only 507 maximum possible with a high degree of postal usage. Particularly rare as a positional pair.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £80+.

Following a decision to identify the exact revenue derived from the Morocco postal service, separate stamps were needed for the Morocco Agencies. This requirement further became necessary because of a Revision of Fees Ordinance in Gibraltar, which required all fees to be collected in Sterling, while the Morocco Agencies continued to use Spanish currency. This led to the introduction of Gibraltar stamps with 'Morocco Agencies' overprints.

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A very fine used set of positional blocks with TANGIER circular date stamps, dated "19 DE 35". A most attractive set of this very popular stamp issue overprinted "TANGIER".

An extremely scarce collection in this form and condition.

By an agreement between Great Britain, France and Spain, Tangier was declared an international zone in 1924. Initially, stamps were overprinted 'Morocco Agencies' or surcharged in Spanish currency. The Tangier International Zone received its own overprints beginning in 1927. As British currency was in use in that office, the overprint simply reads "TANGIER". This continued through until 1956.

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A very fine right marginal, unmounted mint example with full original gum. Some very minor gum wrinkles, mentioned for accuracy, and do not detract from overall splendid quality.

A scarce variety of this French surcharge on Morocco Agencies.

French currency stamps, intended for use in the French Zone, date from 1917, and were in use until 8 January 1938, when they were withdrawn from sale. Fewer types of the French overprints were produced than the Spanish overprints.

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A brilliant unmounted mint positional block with full original gum. The albino impression can be found 2mm above and to left of the inked surcharge.

A stunning quality and rare King George V variety.

Provenance: Ex Sir Gawaine Baillie (Sotheby 24/11/2005, lot 397, this block forming part of a block of 6).

Stamps surcharged in Spanish currency were sold at British POs throughout Morocco until the establishment of the French Zone and the Tangier International Zone. After 1912, their use was confined to the Spanish Zone.

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A fine unmounted mint positional block of four with full original gum. The right margin is separated, otherwise very fine, clean and with fresh colour.

An important positional multiple of these King George V overprinted specimen stamps, and never previously on the market.

Provenance: Ex British Philatelic Museum Archives.

Stamps surcharged in Spanish currency were sold at British POs throughout Morocco until the establishment of the French Zone and the Tangier International Zone. After 1912, their use was confined to the Spanish Zone.

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A fine unmounted mint positional block with full original gum, (hinged in margin only). Faintly toned gum immaterial to the overall fine and attractive appearance.

The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £220+.

British stamps overprinted "MOROCCO AGENCIES" were primarily intended for use on parcels (and later, airmail correspondence), and were on sale at British PO's throughout Morocco including Tangier until 1937.

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A fine and fresh mint example with large part original gum.

A scarce variety of the famous King George V Seahorses stamp overprinted. There is actually a second albino impression, but almost coincident with the inked overprint.

British stamps overprinted "MOROCCO AGENCIES" were primarily intended for use on parcels (and later, airmail correspondence), and were on sale at British PO's throughout Morocco including Tangier until 1937.

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