Forthcoming Auction: East Africa

27 November 2019

East Africa: The Postal History and Postage Stamps

‘Minns & Wilks’ – a landmark auction that brings together the remarkable postal history collections of East Africa, Uganda and Zanzibar formed by the late John Minns, FRPSL, author of British East Africa: The Stamps and Postal Stationery, and the exceptional collection of postage stamps of British East Africa formed by John Wilks, FRPSL, recent Chairman of the East Africa Study Circle.

This auction of 550 lots contains many noted rarities including, from British East Africa, one of only three commercial covers bearing the 1890 first issue, the 1895-96 ‘On India’ 1a. plum “Brit1sh” variety mint, which is unique in private hands, and no fewer than five covers bearing the popular 1891 Mombasa provisional surcharges.

The Uganda section presents rare covers sent from the African interior by the early Christian missionaries including combination frankings and the Zanzibar offers a number of attractive and desirable essays and proofs.

For further information regarding this auction or to request a complimentary sale catalogue contact Andrew Williams on 020 7379 8789 or awilliams@grosvenor-auctions.co.uk.