Another Fine Day
The Autumn auction of Specialised Great Britain auction, held on the Strand on October 26th-27th well exceeded its pre-sale estimate, generating a remarkable final sale total of £840,746, reflecting a healthy market.
This comprehensive auction featured two particularly significant study collections, both of which had led to important publications that won the prestigious Crawford Medal for Literature.
The unique collection of Overseas Mail from 1840 to the advent of the Universal Postal Union was created by the husband and wife team, Jane & Michael Moubray, both Hon FRPSL and signatories to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. Among the extensive range of covers demonstrating rates, routes and regulations, many caught the eye. Addressed to Lititz, Pennsylvania in July 1840 the Mulready 1d. lettersheet [lot 505] is a rare survivor and soared to £7,837. Featured on the catalogue front cover, the stunning 1850 entire “Paid Late” to New York franked by the embossed 1s. in strips of four and three [lot 522] merited fully its £3,660 realisation.
The colourful collection of Seahorse issues formed by the late Bryan Kearsley had been captured for posterity in the volume Discovering Seahorses (2005). The Seahorse design, one of Britain’s finest and most popular, was represented here in thorough fashion. The Waterlow 1913 2s.6d. very deep sepia-brown. or ‘Vandyke’ brown [lot 1337], was cancelled on the very first day of issue by a neat strike of the “ANERLEY STATION/JU 30/13” datestamp and achieved £3,172. From the 1915-18 De La Rue printings a very scarce fine used block of four of the 10s. bright, or ‘Cambridge’, blue [lot 1432] rose to £8,848.
Signs of recovery also perhaps for Q.E.II commemorative proofs and varieties. A unique selection of imperforate proof strips of six and progressive proof strips of six illustrating the colours of the 1966 Battle of Hastings 4d. proved very popular [lot 1755, est. £5,000-£6,000], soaring to £13,272.
Realisations quoted include buyer’s premium. For further information please contact Tom Margalski or Verity Smith at the Grosvenor London office.