Up, Up and Away
The Brian Asquith collection of Chinese Airmails was one of several sections of lots to impress in the British Empire & Foreign Countries auction on December 3rd-4th. Appearing on the front cover of the catalogue, the characterful cover from the 1920 (May 7) Tientsin to Peking flight “by Handley-Page Aeroplane” [lot 449] rose to £5,490 whilst an attractive registered cover from the 1933 (July 20) flight from Tihwa to Peiping [lot 489] soared to £2,135.
Concorde collecting has fallen from its peak but the Asquith collection here included a key item that did fulfill its potential. The cylinder block of eight of the Great Britain 1969 9d. showing cylinder number omitted and stamps with very dry print [lot 185] was driven by bidding to a striking £10,736 realisation.
The Falkland Islands market shows encouraging signs of rallying after a disappointing period with a number of notable realisations seen here, though ‘basic’ material is not well supported, due partly to the shortage of dealers that continue to hold and maintain longterm stock.
From the 1891 Bisect Provisionals, a registered cover from the Seventh Mail [lot 596] reached £3,100. Another cover showing the rare provisional “Paid at/SOUTH GEORGIA” handstamp with handwritten “2½” (d.) value [lot 915] achieved £5,400. There was a strong presence of proof and specimen material, generally well received, with particularly strong results from the the King Edward VII period including £1,736 paid for the 3s. colour trial in yellow [lot 621]. Star lot was a unique item, the archival 1935 Silver Jubilee set, imperf. and with “SPECIMEN” perfin [lot 733] contested to an exceptional price of £13,640.
Other notable prices from this auction included the £5,688 paid for a rare cover from the 1867-68 Abyssinia Expedition, sent at officer’s rate by Brigade Major Algernon Durand to his wife at Guernsey [lot 557]. From an unusual offering of Gibraltar Revenues a hand-painted essay by De La Rue in 1882 for the Stamp Duty issue sent to the colony for approval [lot 1071] reached £3,539. From the Indian Feudatory State of Bamra an unused imperf. block of nine of the 1888 2a. black on green [lot 1164] including the “a” omitted variety reached £2,074. A postal stationery card from Saudi Arabia showing the large violet commemorative seal of El-Ula used only for one day to celebrate the completion of the railway line [lot 1955] achieved £2,480.
This large and important sale generated a fine overall success with a final sale total of £634,115. Realisations quoted include buyer’s premium.
The first British Empire & Foreign Countries auction of the Spring 2026 Season is scheduled on March 11th 2026 and consignments can be accepted until January 20th. For further information please contact Tom Margalski or Verity Smith at the Grosvenor London office.