Shopping Early for Christmas
The British Empire and Foreign Countries auction held at Grosvenor on December 4th and 5th offered a wide range of potential Christmas presents for the discerning collector and achieved a pleasing final sale total of £302,844, despite a mixed bag of results with certain sections and countries generating great enthusiasm whilst others failed to rouse.
The Gerald Tonge collection of Ceylon brought to the market a fine range of rare essay and proof material and interest was intense. A highly attractive group of five 1899-1900 1r.50 imperf. colour trials [lot 380] reached £1,200 whilst the attractive 1910 Key Plate essay [lot 385], featured on the front cover of the sale catalogue, sold for £1,240.
There was strong competition also for the Professor Malvern Van Wyk Smith collection of African Airmails, an impressive and unusual gathering. A scarce cover from the 1933 Gayford & Nicholetts record breaking flight to Walvis Bay [lot 148] found a new home for £468 and a comprehensive collection of Imperial Airways covers from 1929 onward [lot 147] soared upwards to £2,170.
A specialised section of Falkland Islands & Antarctica struggled to reach previous levels. The enduring popularity of the 1933 Centenary issues was, though, shown with strong interest for examples ‘used on cover’ whilst an impressive group of values to the 2s.6d. in imprint blocks [lot 634] that included the 1½d. ‘cloud’ flaw climbed to a £2,604 realisation.
Amongst single items that caught the eye were the unmounted mint Malta 1921-22 2s. showing the dark flaw on scroll [R. 2/4 early state], stated to be one of just eight examples recorded [lot 1101] which achieved £3,600. The unique Niger Coast Protectorate 1894 (May) set handstamped “SPECIMEN” on piece by Natal’s receiving postal administration [lot 1142] reached £1,612. The India 1948 Gandhi set used on an unusual black ‘Advani’ airmail mourning first day cover [lot 941] sold for £1,140.
Large country collections hold a special appeal for those who love to sort and explore. There was much to discover in the 63 albums or stockbooks of Germany [lot 864] and the £7,440 result was well merited. An extensive collection of wide ranging Airmail covers and cards [lot 99] left its estimate far behind, selling for £6,820 and acomprehensive collection of Egypt 1922 Crown overprint [lot 475] reached £3,100.
Realisations quoted include buyer’s premium. The next auction of British Empire & Foreign Countries at Grosvenor will be held on March 1163PR2th–13th 2025 and consignments can be accepted until January 8th.
For further information please contact Tom Margalski or Verity Smith at the Grosvenor London office.
Click here for prices realised.