Prices Realised

1840 1d. black plate 3 bearing AA-BB block of four divided into two pairs and placed at opposite corners of June 19th 1840 wrapper from Dublin to London, tied by neat orange-red Maltese Crosses. Backstamped Dublin diamond datestamp for June 19th and London arrival circular datestamp for June 21st. Most unusual and one of the finest plate 3 multiple uses known, a superb showpiece. Major-General Sir Leonard Atkinson, 1990 (lot 66) and Hassan Shaida. S.G. Spec. AS20. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 3 EG exceptionally fine used with clear to good margins and most attractive neat red Maltese Cross on 1840 (June 8th) entire letter from Neath to Ashburton with red ''NEATH/JU 8/1840'' double arc circular datestamp on front. S.G. Spec. AS20. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 3 ED, very fine used with good even margins and neat upright strike of a red Maltese Cross, most attractive. Ex H.O. Fraser (lot 152). S.G. Spec. AS20. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 3 GL, superb with wide margins and a virtually complete strike of a bright red Maltese Cross, an exceptional stamp. S.G. Spec. AS20. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 3 PF (small loop to ''P''), a greyish shade, exceptionally fine used with good margins and superb red Maltese Cross, most attractive. S.G. Spec. AS21. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 3 MH, a greyish shade with small to good margins almost all around, tied to piece solely by framed ''Bangor/Penny Post'' in black, very rare. S.G. Spec. AS21yb, cat. £4,500. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 3 TH, a greyish shade, a huge stamp with red Maltese Cross leaving profile completely clear, outstanding. S.G. Spec. AS21. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 4 GA very fine used and tied by a fine strike of the distinctive Maltese Cross of Wotton-Under-Edge in red clearly showing the cuts to the Cross, to November 5th 1840 cover to Dursley, unframed ''WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE/NO 5'' circular datestamp in red on reverse, an exceptional example of this popular Maltese Cross. R.P.S. certificate (1974). S.G. Spec. AS23ud, cat. £14,000. Photo.It has been suggested that this distinctive Maltese Cross was created by someone scoring the head of the Cross with a file, three times in one direction and four times in a perpendicular direction, this results in many breaks which line up in seven direct lines.

1840 1d. black plate 4 OL exceptionally fine used with a quite superb upright strike of the magenta Maltese Cross of Burton on Trent on June 10th 1840 entire letter to Asby de la Zouch, with matching magenta ''BURTON ON TRENT/JU 10/1840'' unframed circular datestamp on reverse, stunning and very rare, exhibition quality. S.G. Spec. AS23vd. Photo.See 'The Maltese Cross - The Colour Problem' by Robson Lowe

1840 1d. black plate 4 PK-PL exceptionally fine and most attractive marginal pair with full sheet margin showing '(ce)ment' inscription, good to large margins other sides, neat red Maltese Crosses leaving PL with clear profile, a rare item. Ex Cawardine (lot 1299). S.G. Spec. AS23. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 4 QA-RB, a magnificent used block of four showing evidence of plate wear, QA double ''Q''with ample to huge margins and neat red Maltese Crosses, faint horizontal crease or bend along upper frame-line of RA-RB not detracting from appearance, otherwise fine and most attractive. B.P.A. certificate (2003). S.G. Spec. AS23/b, cat. £16,000. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 4 MA, a greyish shade, superb used with large to very large margins and neat upright strike of a bright red Maltese Cross, exhibition quality. S.G. Spec. AS23. Photo.

1840 1d. intense black plate 5 EB-EE very fine used strip of four with ample to very large margins and neat red Maltese Crosses on November 28th 1840 cover from Edinburgh to Musselburgh, an exceptional and rare multiple use on cover. S.G. Spec. AS24. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 5 TA-TC superb used strip of three with large to very large margins showing part SA at top, most attractive red Maltese Crosses, TA a greyish shade of state 1 showing developing plate wear above ''ONE PENNY'', rare in this quality. S.G. Spec. AS25. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 5 AL, an exceptionally fine used example with good margins and most attractive almost complete red Maltese Cross. R.P.S. certificate (1992). S.G. Spec. AS25.

1840 1d. intense black plate 5 BA (retouched ''B'') state 1, superb used with good to large margins and neat red Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS24c. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 5 DJ superb used with good even margins and stunning upright strike of a red Maltese Cross on small piece, exhibition quality. S.G. Spec. AS25.

1840 1d. black plate 5 EB fine used with good to large margins and almost complete black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS25. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 5 NK with watermark inverted, a superb used example with good even margins and perfectly struck central Maltese Cross in red, most attractive and very rare in this quality. S.G. Spec. AS25e.

1840 1d. intense black plate 5 TH (double ''H''), exceptionally fine used with good margins and neat red Maltese Cross, most attractive. S.G. Spec. AS24b. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 5 BK-CK and DK-EK vertical pairs forming original BK-EK strip of four, superb mint with virtually full original gum, a very rare multiple, we believe unused examples of this plate, particularly multiples to be considerably underrated. S.G. 7, Spec. AS26, pairs unpriced unused. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 5 DG exceptionally fine used with good to large margins showing parts of two adjoining stamps and tied by a perfect strike of the red Maltese Cross applied at Hayle on June 22nd 1841 letter from Hayle to Saint Columb, framed ''TOO LATE'' handstamp on front, ''ST.COLUMB/21/6/1841'' circular datestamp on reverse (date slug error), a wonderful example of this rarity. B.P.A. certificate (1997). S.G. Spec. AS26va, cat. £30,000. Photo.Red ink was used abnormally at Hayle in contradiction of the instruction to change to black ink for cancellation of February 1841, its use is recorded until September 1841

1841 1d. red-brown plate 5 CD state 3 (1840 repair) very fine used with ample to good margins and neat black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS29A. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 5 CE state 3 (1840 repair) very fine used with ample to good margins and neat black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS29A. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 5 TA state 3 (Provisional repair) ''T'' thin and ''A'' faint, an exceptionally fine used example of this very scarce stamp with large to very large margins and black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS33. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 6 CG very fine used with good margins and tied by an excellent strike of the double lined Stonehaven Maltese Cross in red to Christmas Day 1840 cover to Aberdeen showing fine boxed ''STONEHAVEN/25 DE/1840'' datestamp on reverse. An exceptional example of this very rare Cross on cover. B.P.A. certificate (1989). S.G. Spec. AS41uf, cat. £12,500. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 6 RK fine used with just clear to good margins, placed sideways and tied by a remarkable strike of the fluid blue Maltese Cross of Partick to March 13th 1841 cover to Edinburgh showing matching boxed ''14'' Receiving House handstamp on reverse together with Glasgow (March 13th) and Edinburgh (14th), datestamps, cover tear well clear of adhesive, extremely rare. Ex Daisy (lot 276). B.P.A. certificate (1996). S.G. Spec. AS41vc, cat. £20,000. Photo.

1840 1d. intense black plate 6 TE state 1, exceptionally fine used with ample to good margins and superbly struck vermilion-red Maltese Cross on December 3rd 1840 entire letter from Uttoxeter to Cheadle, with a matching and equally superb ''UTTOXETER/DE 3/1840'' double arc c.d.s. at the opposite corner. A very clean cover and rare in this quality. S.G. Spec. AS40. Photo.

1840 1d. intense black plate 6 AJ of superb appearance with stunning centrally struck red Maltese Cross, horizontal crease barely detracting from appearance. S.G. Spec. AS40. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 6 IL, superb with exceptionally large margins and neat red Maltese Cross, an outstanding example in exhibition quality. S.G. Spec. AS41. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 6 KI superb with large margins and virtually complete bright red Maltese Cross, a lovely crisp impression, an exceptional stamp. S.G. Spec. AS41. Photo.

1840 1d. grey-black plate 6 LL showing plate wear, exceptionally fine used with large even margins and a clear neat strike of a black Maltese Cross, most attractive. S.G. Spec. AS41var.

1840 1d. black plate 6 MD states 1, 2 and 3, state 2 showing slightly thinner ''M'', state 3 with both check letters thinner and showing clear transfer roller lines in left and right margins, fine to very fine used with good margins and neat Maltese Crosses, state 2 with clear profile, a very scarce trio. S.G. Spec. AS41, 42 & 43. Photo.

1840 1d. grey-black plate 6 SE state 2 showing thinner corner letters and corner stars, a superb used example with good to very large margins and exceptional centrally struck black Maltese Cross, exhibition quality. S.G. Spec. AS42. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 7 DE-EF block of four on experimental thin paper, a magnificent mint block with full original gum, faintest trace of an age stain on DE, typical light gum creases or wrinkles, exceptionally fresh with the lower pair unmounted and the upper pair with a light single hinge, one of the finest known blocks and an exhibition showpiece. Ex Major-General Sir Leonard Atkinson, 1990 (lot 84), Sir Gawaine Baillie (2004, lot 42). B.P.A. certificate (1990). S.G. Spec. AS44c. Photo.

1840 1d. greyish-black plate 7 IF, a fresh mint example with good to large margins and part original gum, some faint creasing not detracting from the fine appearance. S.G. Spec. AS45, cat. £7,500. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 7 RB (no ''O'' flaw) exceptionally fine used with good to large margins and tied by superb black Maltese Cross to March 24th 1841 wrapper from Farnham to London, ''FARNHAM/MR 24/1841'' 'Traveller' horseshoe datestamp with mileage removed struck alongside, framed ''Farnham/Penny Post'' Receiver handstamp also struck on front. S.G. Spec. AS44. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 7 SL, superb used and tied by the distinctive pink Maltese Cross of Merthyr Tydvil leaving profile clear on September 21st 1840 entire letter to Bristol with matching pink ''MERTHYR TYDVIL/SE 22/1840'' double arc circular datestamp on front, ''BRISTOL/SP 22/1840/B'' double arc c.d.s. in black on reverse, an exceptional cover. R.P.S. certificate (1987). S.G. Spec. AS44var. Photo.See 'The Maltese Cross - The Colour Problem' by Robson Lowe

1840 1d. black plate 7 FJ exceptionally fine used with very large even margins and an almost complete black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS44. Photo.

1840 1d. greyish-black plate 7 HJ, very fine used with good to very large margins and bold black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS45. Photo.

1840 1d. greyish-black plate 7 KK (re-entry) exceptionally fine used with good even margins and clear light red Maltese Cross, most attractive and one of only two re-entries listed for this plate. S.G. Spec. AS45a. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 7 QI (re-entry) fine used with good even margins and neat black Maltese Cross, one of only two re-entries listed for this plate. S.G. Spec. AS44a. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 7 RC superb used with good to enormous margins showing large part of RC at left, exceptional centrally struck red Maltese Cross, exhibition quality. S.G. Spec. AS44. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 8 TE-TH strip of four in an intense shade, exceptionally fine used with good to very large margins and light red Maltese Crosses, paying 4d. rate up to 2oz. on November 26th 1840 entire from Newport Mon, to 'Cymcelyn Works', light ''NEWPORT MON/NO 26/1840'' double arc circular datestamp on reverse in matching colour to the Maltese Cross, an exceptional multiple use of this plate on cover and an exhibition item. Ex H.O. Fraser (lot 256), a pencil note on reverse indicates that this comes from the 'Siggers' collection, sold in 1937. S.G. Spec. AS47. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 8 DB very fine used with ample to very large margins, tied by superb black Maltese Cross to printed ''PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS'' ''Parish Register/Return'' entire, sent from Ipswich to Norwich on November 7th 1841 and with appropriate backstamps, the adhesive is placed over a printed square indicating where is was to be positioned, the entire with fold prior to the application of the adhesive and not affecting, a most attractive and rare item. Ex Cawardine (lot 1393). S.G. Spec. AS46. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 8 KI exceptionally fine used with large to enormous margins showing part of KJ at right, on December 8th 1840 entire from London to Preston with a superb complete strike of the red Maltese Cross, a very clean cover. Ex H.O. Fraser (lot 246). S.G. Spec. AS46. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 8 OI-OL, a truly stunning strip of four with large to huge margins (OL part sheet margin at right) and tied to piece by superb strikes of a red Maltese Cross, inconseqential vertical crease crosses OL in no way detracting from the superb appearance, one of the finest plate 8 pieces in existence. S.G. Spec. AS46. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 8 OK-OL, an exceptionally fine used marginal pair with full sheet margin showing 'to to remove the Ce' incription, good to large margins other sides and with neat red Maltese Crosses, most attractive and rare, an exhibition item. Ex Gaetano Vullo (lot 137). B.P.A. certificate (1994). S.G. Spec. AS46. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 8 CB, an exceptionally fine used example with good margins and superb red Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS46. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 8 ME exceptionally fine used with good to large even margins and neat virtually complete black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS46. Photo.

1840 1d. grey-black plate 8 PF (no 'O' flaw), exceptionally fine and most attractive with very large even margins and a superb large part strike of a black Maltese Cross, clear crisp impression, exhibition quality. S.G. Spec. AS46var. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 8 EC showing considerable plate wear above ''ONE PENNY'', fine mint with ample to good margins showing part of ED at upper right, and part original gum, a rare adhesive and much underrated. Ex Sir Gawaine Baillie (2005, lot 28). S.G. Spec. AS47, cat. £2,250. Photo.In 'The Dublin Find' Karl-Albert Louis states 'Plates 8 and 11 in red are also exceedingly rare mint, the records showing that only very few stamps and multiples have survived'

1841 1d. red-brown plate 8 SE-SF unused pair from the pre-provisional state 1 printing showing ''O'' flaws, clear to good margins and showing excellent 'ivory heads', some imperfections but of great rarity, probably unique. R.P.S. certificate (1969). S.G. Spec. AS52, unpriced unused. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 8 OI, a pale shade, very fine used with good margins and tied by a very fine strike of the distinctive Manchester 'fishtail' Maltese Cross on April 14th 1841 entire to Stourbridge, ''MANCHESTER/AP 14/1841'' double arc circular datestamp in red on reverse. S.G. Spec. AS47ub, cat. £1,800. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 8 SC, an enormous example showing parts of three adjoining stamps, very fine used locally in Edinburgh with complete Scottish large centre Maltese Cross in black on November 10th 1841 entire letter. S.G. Spec. AS47. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 8 AJ-BK state 1, a very rare used block of four with clear to very large margins and clear neat black Maltese Crosses, upper pair with very faint trace of creasing at top in no way detracting, shows excellent ivory heads, most attractive. S.G. Spec. AS47, blocks unpriced. Photo.Each unit exists in a later state

1841 1d. red-brown plate 8 CJ state 2 (late repair of 1841) coincident re-entry and showing slightly thinner corner letters and linear scrape at left, very fine used with good to huge margins and almost complete black Maltese Cross. Ex Cawardine (lot 1414). S.G. Spec. AS54. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 8 LI, exceptionally fine used with neat black Maltese Cross showing two dots in outer segment, leaving profile virtually clear. S.G. Spec. AS47. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 8 ME, a deep rich 'chocolate' shade, superb used with large even margins and clear neat black Maltese Cross, most attractive. S.G. Spec. AS47. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 9 AL state 2, Provisional Issue repair of January 1841, without ''O'' flaw, an exceptionally fine used example with crisp black Maltese Cross, rare, matched with a very fine state 2 red with good to huge margins. S.G. Spec. AS60 & 61. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 9 EH (re-entry) exceptionally fine used with good margins and clear neat strike of a black Maltese Cross, one of only two re-entries listed for this plate. S.G. Spec. AS56a. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 9 EL, superb used with excellent margins and an exceptional crisp centrally struck black Maltese Cross, most attractive and rare in this exhibition quality. S.G. Spec. AS56. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 9 TL with exceptional margins (part sheet margin at right) and neat black Maltese Cross, slight imperfections not detracting from appearance, otherwise fine and of superb appearance. Ex H.O. Fraser (lot 267). S.G. Spec. AS56. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 9 FI-GJ and FK-GL, superb mint blocks of four forming an original marginal block of eight showing'CE 1d. Per Label. 1s./- Per Row of 12. £1..' inscription, with full original gum and exceptionally fresh, usual gum wrinkles, FI and FL showing basal shifts, of great rarity and much underrated. S.G. Spec. AS57/b. Photo.These blocks originated from the Dublin Find (see 'The Dublin Find' by Don Madden and Karl Louis), and were part of the block of 18 offered as lot 429 in the fourth Seymour sale (February 1952).

1841 1d. red-brown plate 9 DK-EL, a stunning and very rare block of four with good to very large margins (part sheet margin at right) and superb bold black Maltese Crosses, some creasing not detracting from the outstanding appearance of this multiple. Ex Pichai Buranasombati (lot 138). S.G. Spec. AS57, used blocks unpriced. Photo.Used blocks are extremely rare - there are none in the R.M. Phillips collection in the British Postal Museum and Archive, this and lot ??? are the only used blocks that we can recall seeing.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 9 PA-PD strip of four in a pale shade showing plate wear, exceptionally fine used with good to large even margins and light black Maltese Crosses, delicate mid-stage 'ivory heads', PD with light bend, a most attractive and scarce multiple. Ex Cawardine (lot 1449). S.G. Spec. AS57. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 9 SJ-TK, fine and rare block of four with good to large margins and black Maltese Crosses. R.P.S. certificate (1984). S.G. Spec. AS57, used blocks unpriced. Photo.Used blocks are extremely rare - there are none in the R.M. Phillips collection in the British Postal Museum and Archive

1841 1d. red-brown plate 9 CL, a superb used example with wide even margins and neat black Maltese Cross leaving profile completely clear, trivial bend at lower right corner in no way detracting. S.G. Spec. AS57. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 9 GG, exceptionally fine used with good even margins and a neat large part strike of the distinctive Greenock Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS57uj, cat. £500. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 9 KD, a pale shade showing plate wear and with guide-line through value, exceptionally fine used with a very fine upright strike of the London number ''7'' in Maltese Cross, most attractive. S.G. Spec. AS57wg, cat. £500. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 10 KD and OG used on August 19th 1844 entire letter from London to Edinburgh, tied by two strikes of London Inland Section ''4'' numerals in black, good margins except OG touched at lower left, a very fine and extremely rare usage, possibly unique. Ex Pichai Buranasombati (lot 200), R.P.S. certificate (2005) and Holcombe certificate (1991) both incorrectly identifying the cancellation as London District Post. S.G. Spec. AS66za. Photo.

1840 1d. grey-black plate 10 CK exceptionally fine used with large to very large margins and neat black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS67. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 10 KB (without ''O'' flaw and ''B'' faint) exceptionally fine used with good margins and neat black Maltese Cross, very scarce. S.G. Spec. AS66a. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 10 PA (double ''A'') on thinner paper, of exceptional appearance with good to large margins and neat red Maltese Cross, trace of a (natural?) slight paper thinning at top, otherwise fine and scarce. S.G. Spec. AS66f,h,i.

1840 1d. grey-black plate 10 QA, of exceptional appearance with good to large margins and a clear light neat black Maltese Cross, slight trace of a corner bend at lower left. otherwise fine. S.G. Spec. AS67.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 10 CA-DD marginal block of eight from the pre-provisional printing in red prior to the final printing in black, all showing ''O'' flaw state 3, CA-CD were subsequently repaired and exist in state 2 without the ''O'' flaw, exceptionally fine and fresh unused, full 'deckle edge' sheet margin at left and good even margins other sides, an important multiple and an exhibition item. S.G. Spec. AS70, unpriced unused. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 10 QC, exceptionally fine and fresh mint with good even margins and large part original gum. Ex Cawardine (lot 1459, mis-attributed as black), B.P.A. certificate (2001). S.G. Spec. AS69, cat. £1,500. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 10 CB-CC state 2 pair without ''O'' flaws, exceptionally fine used with good to large margins and neat black Maltese Crosses, very scarce in this quality. S.G. Spec. AS71. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 10 NF, exceptionally fine used with good even margins and a superb upright strike of a black Maltese Cross, most attractive. S.G. Spec. AS69. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 10 OC showing plate wear at foot, a superb used example with wide even margins and a superb large part upright strike of a black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS69. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 10 PK, exceptionally fine used with a superb central strike of the distinctive Manchester 'fishtail' Maltese Cross in black, large to enormous margins. ex Cawardine (lot 1736). S.G. Spec. AS69ub, cat. £750. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 10 TA-TB pair in a pale red-brown shade showing plate wear, exceptionally fine and most attractive with large to enormous margins and clear light strikes of the black Maltese Cross, TA shows the major re-entry, stunning exhibition item. Ex Cawardine (lot 1477). S.G. Spec. AS69/b. Photo.

1840 1d. black plate 11 DK-EL, the exceptionally fine and fresh mint marginal block of four from the right of the sheet with full sheet margin showing 'PRIC' inscrition, virtually full original gum, the lower pair with light crease not detracting from the great rarity of this classic exhibition item. Ex David Field. R.P.S. certificate (1985). S.G. Spec. AS73. Photo.The above block originates from the block of sixty described in a paper read before the Philatelic Society, London, on November 30th, 1894, by the then President, the Earl of Kingston - 'Four years ago I purchased a block of black pennies. It once formed the top of the sheet, and consists of five entire rows of twelve stamps each. The margins are intact and contain the plate number 11. Although somewhat thin in substance and placed rather far apart, by reason of their being no registration sheet of plate 11, I took these figures to represent No. 2 in Roman numerals; but from enquiries made this summer I ascertained beyond doubt that the practice has always been to number the sheets in Arabic numerals. It proves, therefore, that the block above described is not an impression from plate 2, but from plate 11–one of our missing (black) lambs!' (The London Philatelist, Vol. 3, page 290). Part of a most interesting piece of philatelic history.

1840 1d. greyish-black plate 11 DC-DD, a very rare pair , most attractive with good to very large margins and most attractive neat strikes of a black Maltese Cross, DD with faint vertical crease not detracting from appearance, otherwise very fine, matched with a fine pair of the red-brown printing, both with DD showing first ''D'' double. Ex Cawardine (lot 1471). S.G. Spec. AS72/b & 74/b. Photo.

1840 1d. greyish-black plate 11 GC showing horizontal guide line through value, superb used with good to large margins and beautifully tied by a complete black Maltese Cross to clean and neat February 29th 1841 entire letter to Wells with ''FROME/FE 19/1841'' double arc c.d.s. on reverse, rare, of undoubted exhibition quality and one of the finest known covers. Ex Cawardine (lot 1473). B.P.A. certificate (1973). S.G. Spec. AS72. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 11 LK-LL right marginal pair from the trial printing on unwatermarked Dickinson 'silk-thread' paper, ungummed as prepared, LL is without thread, the sheet margin showing 'ND SIDE of the Lette' inscription, faint crease as have many of these trials, a very rare item. S.G. 16, Spec. DP22, cvat. £9,000+. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 11 AA-AF, the exceptional strip of six with clear to very large margins and cancelled contrary to regulations by five superb upright strikes of a black Maltese Cross showing dot in the lower segment of the Cross, faint creasing but of magnificent appearance and an extremely rare multiple of exhibition standard. Ex Pichai Buranasombati (lot 172), where it was stated to be ex Seymour although we have been unable to confirm this. S.G. Spec. AS74. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 11 PD-PG very fine and scarce strip of four showing plate wear, good to very large margins and tied to piece by clear and neat strikes of a black Maltese Cross, shows the distinctive 'squat' letters ''P'' and ''E''. S.G. Spec. AS74. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 11 JB, a rich shade, exceptionally fine used with good to large margins and a neat black Maltese Cross (possibly Montrose). S.G. Spec. AS74. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 11 KB, exceptionally fine used with ample to large margins and very clear large part strike of the distinctive London II 'broken points' Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS74(to). Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 11 LD, exceptionally fine used with good to large margins and a clear bold strike of the distinctive London II 'broken points' Maltese Cross. Ex Wills (lot 502). S.G. Spec. AS74(to). Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 11 MB, a pale shade, exceptionally fine used with good margins and a bold strike of a black Maltese Cross. S.G. Spec. AS74. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 11 NI on deeply blued paper, very fine used with good margins and an exceptional complete strike of the distinctive Maltese Cross of Greenock. S.G. Spec. AS74uj, cat. £500. Photo.

1841 1d. red-brown plate 11 TA state 1, a superb example with large to enormous margins and a crisp strike of a black Maltese Cross, very scarce. S.G. Spec. AS74. Photo.

1840 2d. blue plate 2 GI-GJ pair in a bright deep shade exceptionally fine used with good to very large margins and tied by superb black Maltese Crosses to July 18th 1841 small cover from Bedale to Ripon, ink manuscript '11/2 oz.' at left, backstamped at Bedale and Ripon on July 18th and with Penny Post Receiving House handstamp on reverse. Believed to be one of the finest known 2d. plate 2 pairs on cover and an exhibition item. S.G. Spec. DS8. Photo.

1840 2d. blue plate 2 FA-GC block of six with clear to good margins except GC just shaved at foot, GA and GB showing double letters, neat black Maltese Crosses, lower stamps with just the faintest trace of creasing (probably natural paper wrinking) in no way detracting from this fine and rare block. S.G. Spec. DS8. Photo.

1840 2d. deep blue plate 2 QI-RK block of six with good to very large margins and black Maltese Crosses, RI and RJ showing shifted basal transfers, faint traces of creasing in no way detracting from this very fine and rare multiple, most attractive and rare. S.G. Spec. DS7. Photo.

1840 2d. blue plate 2 CD-CG strip of four in a most attractive shade, exceptionally fine used with ample to large margins and light strikes of a bright red Maltese Cross, a very rare multiple cancelled in red, particularly in this quality. S.G. Spec. DS8f.

1840 2d. pale blue plate 2 DD, an exceptionally fine used example with very large to huge margins showing parts of three adjoining stamps, crisp centrally struck black Maltese Cross, an outstanding adhesive. R.P.S. certificate (2000). S.G. Spec. DS9. Photo.

1840 2d. blue plate 2 JA, a quite superb marginal example with full sheet margin showing 'ards the RIGHT HAN.' inscription, very large even margins other sides, crisp light strike of a black Maltese Cross, most attractive and of great rarity, almost certainly the finest known used marginal inscription example of this plate. Ex Maximus. R.P.S. certificate (1971). S.G. Spec. DS8. Photo.

1840 2d. blue plate 2 LK very fine used with good to large margins and tied by a superb complete strike of the distinctive solid centre Maltese Cross of Welshpool in black, very rare, thought to be the only known example on an 1840 2d. Ex G.L. (lot 133) and H.O. Fraser (lot 502). R.P.S. certificate (1986). S.G. Spec. DS7vm, unpriced. Photo.

1840 2d. deep blue plate 2 TA (re-entry), a bright shade, exceptionally fine used with good to very large margins and almost complete black Maltese Cross, one of only two re-entries listed for this plate. S.G. Spec. DS7b. Photo.