The Bigger the Better?
The Specialised Great Britain Postage Stamps and Postal History auction held over two days at Grosvenor on October 30 and 31 achieved a final sale total of £310,714, showing a good overall demand for material but also reflecting a continuing volatility with certain specialist areas continuing to wallow in the doldrums.
The section of Collections & Mixed Lots that opened the first day provided an impressive start. A huge accumulation of used line engraved Queen Victoria 1d. reds in nine cartons [lot 3], estimated to contain over 100,000 examples, proved very popular, soaring to a price of £13,020. The pattern of larger collections and accumulations achieving the strongest results was to continue as the auction progressed.
Great Britain Used Abroad shows signs of growth and genuinely rare and attractive postal history can in general expect an enthusiastic response. The earliest example of a Liverpool Ship Letter mark seen on a 1761 incoming entire letter from Philadelphia [lot 190] proved popular and rose to £840.
The 1d. blacks and other line engraved were steady sellers. One of only four known strips of four from plate 10 [lot 548] (BI-BL state 1) reached £1,736 though boasting only three margins. The presentation of surface printed was of uneven quality and this was reflected by the results. However, the 1865-67 watermark emblems 6d. lilac plate 5 TA, with watermark error three roses and a shamrock in a good used pair [lot 687] and the fine used example of the ever popular £5 orange [lot 709] fully deserved their prices of £1,116 and £1,922 respectively.
In the section of Official stamps a fine used example of the Inland Revenue 1902-04 5s. bright carmine showing the raised stop after “R” variety [lot 802] achieved an impressive £5,580. Following immediately afterward and featured on the front cover of the auction catalogue, a handsome marginal example of the £1 dull blue-green overprinted “SPECIMEN” [lot 803] also sold well, realising £6,200.
This was not a classic sale for material from the later reigns and few prices stand out. A large block of 84 of the pre-decimal Machin 5d. royal blue comprising 14 tête-bêche pairs and a further seven tête-bêche pairs with interval margin [lot 1179] reached £1,922 despite a few light gum bends.
Realisations quoted include buyer’s premium. The next auction of specialised Great Britain at Grosvenor is scheduled for April 23-24 2025 and consignments can be accepted until mid February.
For further information please contact Tom Margalski or Verity Smith at the Grosvenor London office.
Click here for prices realised