Stamp Auctions

This sale commences with a range of mixed lots, followed by the Cycling collection formed by stamp designer Graham Wade. Then we have a fascinating group of documents and ephemera including photographs and masonic paraphernalia. Next up are more than 3000 picture postcards, mostly from the extensive Australian holdings of the late Kevin Crotty from England.

Commonwealth of Australia includes more collections and numerous fine singles, notably from the ‘OS’ collection formed by Roy Cunliffe from England. Max Bulley from Melbourne has consigned his collection of commemorative datestamps on cover, and his Northern Territory collection (Lots 382-392). Other highlights are the 2/6d Aborigine with Watermark Sideways (Inverted), a very fine 1911 2/- booklet containing Victorian stamps, and a standard-size commercial cover with 6d Engraved Kookaburra.

We launch into the Rest of the World with one of the best offerings of Antarctic material seen in recent years. Paul Wales from New Zealand is well known as the owner of Classic Stamps in Christchurch, and as a dealer in Antarctic material. He chose to place his Large Gold Medal winning collection of the 1901-04 National Antarctic Expedition with us because he knew we would present his superb exhibit to its best advantage. Because of my personal interest in historical subjects, I am delighted to have been given this opportunity. The array of Robert Falcon Scott covers and memorabilia within these pages really is a treat.

As is often the case, our Pacific Islands offerings are diverse and compelling. From the Cook Islands we have an array of 1960s to 1990s artwork and proofs. Nauru is represented by an excellent range of “real” postal history, not the boring philatelic covers normally seen. The strongest section is an exceptional collection of the postal history of the Australian Occupation of New Guinea. New Zealand includes superb unmounted stamps and Auckland Exhibition postal cards.

Foreign countries are also represented. There is a fine collection of modern China and a well-developed collections from Liechtenstein and Portugal. Two lovely Papal States covers to Australia are featured. And there is a fascinating study of Japanese Military Postal Cards offered intact.

** We are pleased to give you the opportunity to do your philatelic shopping before the Exhibition commences, on 10th May. Then, like me, you will be able to focus on catching up with your friends, attending the numerous society meetings, and enjoying the culinary delights of the city regularly nominated as one of the most “liveable” in the world.

Based on recent auction results around the world, it is quite clear that stamps and covers of the Australian Colonies are experiencing something of a Renaissance. A steady flow of outstanding material has resulted in greater buyer interest, and fine results for vendors.

We are very pleased with how this sale has come together. Note that there are only very minor areas of overlap between this auction and that for John Bell’s New South Wales and Tasmania. Even in those few instances where similar items are offered, they tend more to complement than compete with one another.

A case in point is David McNamee’s Gold Medal exhibit of the postal markings from Tasmania’s First Numeral Allocation period. This is the most comprehensive such collection ever to be offered at auction, and it occupies 32 pages of this catalogue.

We are delighted to be offering the “Brussells Find” of blocks and sheetlets (!) of the Echuca Railway stamps, Murray River Steam Navigation carrier stamps and Torres Strait Settlements “phantoms”. We have never before seen anything like it.

Collectors of carrier stamps will be pleased to see the material consigned by Jon Tiernan, a civil engineer from rural New South Wales. John’s comprehensive collection of the 19th century carrier stamps of the Australian Colonies is a feature of the sale. These generally large and visually appealing issues are striking for both their appearance and their rarity.

One field that appears recently to have attracted new collectors is pre-stamp mail. This is an area populated by numerous ugly and often badly defective items. The material offered in this sale is generally far above-average, both in terms of quality and genuine postal history and/or postmark interest. Exceptional items will be found listed under New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria.

Quality issues are also the norm when considering Classic stamps. Many people, unfortunately, seem to think that because a stamp is “old”, it should be accepted in whatever condition it comes. Frankly, most stamps of the 1850s and 1860s are somewhere between ugly and horrible, or have nasty concealed faults or repairs. In many cases, they are unworthy of space in one’s albums.

However, a beautiful Classic stamp of true colour and fresh appearance, with full margins and, for used items, a neat postmark, is a joy to behold. This catalogue is full of such very fine to gem-quality stamps, some of them among the very best examples known.

Our next specialised auction will take place in Geneva on May 2-4 and will present two catalogues :

- Airmails
Airmail collectors will particularly appreciate the comprehensive range of first flights from all over the World, crash mail, Zeppelins, as well as an exceptional collection of 1870-71 “Ballons Montés” and Moulins.

- Middle East with Egypt and Persia
This catalogue will present the 4th and final part of the Ansari Collection of Persia and will feature more than 400 lots including single lots, dealer lots, postal history, postcards, etc.

The second part of the catalogue will be dedicated to more than 500 lots of Egypt including the Keith Pogson Collection of the 3rd issue of Egypt with mint multiples, rare postal history and specialised studies in addition to a fine array of De La Rue and later issues