Stamp Collecting

Paul Fraser Collecitbles shares some of the world's rarest postage stamps and news from the world of philately.
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287 Pins
 3y
£3,500 Bermuda 1943 (Mar) £1 purple and black/red, SG121cb.  Very scarce printing variety of this King George VI high value issue showing shading omission from the top right scroll, 'blank scroll'.  Very fine quality mint example with original gum and barely a trace of a hinge mark.  The SG catalogue value is £4,000. St Pierre, Vintage Travel Posters, Vintage World Maps, Crown Colony, Post Stamp, Vintage Stamps, King George, Stamp Collecting, Purple And Black
Bermuda 1943 (Mar) £1 purple and black/red
£3,500 Bermuda 1943 (Mar) £1 purple and black/red, SG121cb. Very scarce printing variety of this King George VI high value issue showing shading omission from the top right scroll, 'blank scroll'. Very fine quality mint example with original gum and barely a trace of a hinge mark. The SG catalogue value is £4,000.
£400 I.C.S Gwalior 1885-97 4a slate-green, right marginal block of four showing variety "OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE ALBINO", SG27ca.  A superb quality unmounted mint example of this scarce Indian States variety, particularly as a multiple.  The SG catalogue value for a single stamp is £100. Gwalior, Albino, Postage Stamps, Slate, Superb, Example, Mint, Multiple
I.C.S. Gwalior 1885-97 4a slate-green block of four
£400 I.C.S Gwalior 1885-97 4a slate-green, right marginal block of four showing variety "OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE ALBINO", SG27ca. A superb quality unmounted mint example of this scarce Indian States variety, particularly as a multiple. The SG catalogue value for a single stamp is £100.
£795 North Borneo 1939 $5 indigo and pale blue, 'Arms of the Company', SG317.  A wonderful unmounted mint example with full original gum, fine appearance and colour, well centred.  The key value of the set in this stamp issue in the best possible condition.  The SG catalogue value is £850. Old Stamps, Rare Stamps, Borneo, British Asian, Dutch East Indies, Labuan, Sarawak
North Borneo 1939 indigo and pale blue
£795 North Borneo 1939 $5 indigo and pale blue, 'Arms of the Company', SG317. A wonderful unmounted mint example with full original gum, fine appearance and colour, well centred. The key value of the set in this stamp issue in the best possible condition. The SG catalogue value is £850.
£6,500 Saudi Arabia 1964-70 Official stamps (size 21x26mm) 1p. to 100p. set of 27, SGO502/O528.  A very fine quality and rare set, unmounted mint with full original gum.  The SG catalogue value is £8,200. Rare Set, Saudi Arabia, Fine Quality, 70th, Gum, The Originals
Saudi Arabia 1964-70 mint
£6,500 Saudi Arabia 1964-70 Official stamps (size 21x26mm) 1p. to 100p. set of 27, SGO502/O528. A very fine quality and rare set, unmounted mint with full original gum. The SG catalogue value is £8,200.
£1,500 South Africa OFFICIALS: 1930-47 2s6d blue and brown pair showing variety "DIAERESIS OVER SECOND 'E' OF OFFISIEEL ON AFRIKAANS STAMP ONLY", SGO19b.  A very fine quality unmounted mint example of this rare printing variety. Afrikaans, South Africa, Decorative Boxes, Printing
South Africa 1930-47 2s6d blue and brown
£1,500 South Africa OFFICIALS: 1930-47 2s6d blue and brown pair showing variety "DIAERESIS OVER SECOND 'E' OF OFFISIEEL ON AFRIKAANS STAMP ONLY", SGO19b. A very fine quality unmounted mint example of this rare printing variety.
£650 Virgin Islands 1899 4d brown with R10/3 FOURPENCF pantograph error, SG46a.  A fine quality example of this rare and classic error with large part original gum. A couple of fractionally short perforations, immaterial, though mentioned for accuracy.  The SG catalogue value is £750. Virgin Islands, Error, Rare, Couple
Virgin Islands 1899 4d brown
£650 Virgin Islands 1899 4d brown with R10/3 FOURPENCF pantograph error, SG46a. A fine quality example of this rare and classic error with large part original gum. A couple of fractionally short perforations, immaterial, though mentioned for accuracy. The SG catalogue value is £750.
£350 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 1b, SG2.  A very fine used example with four good to large margins lettered QH, cancelled by a red Maltese Cross.  An attractive example from the very first printing plate, after repair, of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history.  The SG catalogue value is £375. Maltese Cross, Penny Black, Printed Plates, Cancelled, Landmark, Great Britain, First World
Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 1b
£350 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 1b, SG2. A very fine used example with four good to large margins lettered QH, cancelled by a red Maltese Cross. An attractive example from the very first printing plate, after repair, of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history. The SG catalogue value is £375.
£450 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 3, SG2.  A very fine used example with four good to very large margins lettered CE, neatly cancelled by a crisp red Maltese Cross leaving a clear profile.  A stunning example of this hard to find printing plate of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history.  The SG catalogue value is £500.
Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 3
£450 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 3, SG2. A very fine used example with four good to very large margins lettered CE, neatly cancelled by a crisp red Maltese Cross leaving a clear profile. A stunning example of this hard to find printing plate of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history. The SG catalogue value is £500.
£375 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 4, SG2.  A fine used example with four good to large margins lettered FF, neatly cancelled by an almost complete orange-red Maltese Cross.  An attractive example of the world's first postage stamp with a wonderful example of the orange-red Maltese Cross cancellation seldom seen so fine. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history.  The SG catalogue value is £400.
Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 4
£375 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 4, SG2. A fine used example with four good to large margins lettered FF, neatly cancelled by an almost complete orange-red Maltese Cross. An attractive example of the world's first postage stamp with a wonderful example of the orange-red Maltese Cross cancellation seldom seen so fine. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history. The SG catalogue value is £400.
£1,250 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 10, SG2.  A very fine used example with four good to large margins lettered RI, cancelled by a crisp red Maltese Cross, showing re-entry and long-tailed R.  An attractive example of this rare printing plate variety of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history.  The SG catalogue value is £1,500.  GB Specialised Catalogue Number: AS66e/h. Tailed
Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 10
£1,250 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 10, SG2. A very fine used example with four good to large margins lettered RI, cancelled by a crisp red Maltese Cross, showing re-entry and long-tailed R. An attractive example of this rare printing plate variety of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history. The SG catalogue value is £1,500. GB Specialised Catalogue Number: AS66e/h.
£6,500 Great Britain 1841 1d red-brown Plate 34, lettered PI, SG8.  A fine and scarce stamp with four clear to good margins, lightly cancelled by part 'CHANNEL ISLANDS' distinctive Maltese Cross in black, a very rare cancellation seldom seen, let alone on such a fine quality example.  GB Specialised Catalogue Number:B1 tc  The SG specialised catalogue lists the value off cover for this stamp at £10,000. Brown Plates, Channel Islands
Great Britain 1841 1d red-brown, plate 34
£6,500 Great Britain 1841 1d red-brown Plate 34, lettered PI, SG8. A fine and scarce stamp with four clear to good margins, lightly cancelled by part 'CHANNEL ISLANDS' distinctive Maltese Cross in black, a very rare cancellation seldom seen, let alone on such a fine quality example. GB Specialised Catalogue Number:B1 tc The SG specialised catalogue lists the value off cover for this stamp at £10,000.
£325 Great Britain 1840 1d black Plate 1a, SG2.  A fine used example with four good to large margins lettered TD, neatly cancelled by a crisp red Maltese Cross.  An attractive example from the very first printing plate of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history.  The SG catalogue value is £375. King Edward Vii, Vote Now, History Queen, Chat Board, Solomons, Number Two
Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 1a
£325 Great Britain 1840 1d black Plate 1a, SG2. A fine used example with four good to large margins lettered TD, neatly cancelled by a crisp red Maltese Cross. An attractive example from the very first printing plate of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history. The SG catalogue value is £375.
£325 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 2, SG2.  A fine used four margins example lettered IH, neatly cancelled by a red Maltese Cross.  An attractive example of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history.  The SG catalogue value is £375.
Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 2
£325 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 2, SG2. A fine used four margins example lettered IH, neatly cancelled by a red Maltese Cross. An attractive example of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history. The SG catalogue value is £375.
£450 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 8, SG2.  A very fine used example with good to large margins lettered QH, cancelled by a crisp black Maltese Cross.  A most attractive example of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history.  The SG catalogue value is £525. Crisp
Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 8
£450 Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 8, SG2. A very fine used example with good to large margins lettered QH, cancelled by a crisp black Maltese Cross. A most attractive example of the world's first postage stamp. The penny black represents a real landmark in British and worldwide history. The SG catalogue value is £525.
£3,950 A very fine used example with four good to large margins lettered HE, in the characteristic greyish black shade, cancelled by a black Maltese Cross. A good quality example of the holy grail of penny black collecting, the elusive last printing plate. Only 168,000 were printed from this plate, representing a mere fraction of the total number of penny blacks printed of 68 million. Very few have survived from this plate number, particularly in fine condition. Shades Of Black, Black Print
Great Britain 1840 1d black, Plate 11
£3,950 A very fine used example with four good to large margins lettered HE, in the characteristic greyish black shade, cancelled by a black Maltese Cross. A good quality example of the holy grail of penny black collecting, the elusive last printing plate. Only 168,000 were printed from this plate, representing a mere fraction of the total number of penny blacks printed of 68 million. Very few have survived from this plate number, particularly in fine condition.
£7,500 Great Britain 1891 £1 green plate 3, SG212. Superb unused with original gum example lettered TA from plate 3 without "frame break" variety. Very scarce and far more difficult to find that plate 2 example with the frame break variety. GB Specialised Catalogue No: K17aa. Green Plates, Difficult, Greats
Great Britain 1891 £1 green plate 3
£7,500 Great Britain 1891 £1 green plate 3, SG212. Superb unused with original gum example lettered TA from plate 3 without "frame break" variety. Very scarce and far more difficult to find that plate 2 example with the frame break variety. GB Specialised Catalogue No: K17aa.
£5,000 Great Britain 1870 1½d rose red plate 3, SG51var. A very fine unused top marginal imperforate imprimatur lettered AH, showing part sheet inscription. A very scarce stamp being one of only 25 possible examples, many of which are in institutional collections. GB Specialised Catalogue No: G6(1)var. Red Plates, Fraser, Red Roses, 2d, Paul, Collections
Great Britain 1870 1½d rose red plate 3.
£5,000 Great Britain 1870 1½d rose red plate 3, SG51var. A very fine unused top marginal imperforate imprimatur lettered AH, showing part sheet inscription. A very scarce stamp being one of only 25 possible examples, many of which are in institutional collections. GB Specialised Catalogue No: G6(1)var.
£2,500 Great Britain 1873 3d rose, plate 11, SG143var. A very fine unused original gum imperforate imprimatur lettered TH. A very rare stamp being one of only 22 possible examples, many of which are in institutional collections. 3d Rose, Social Security Card, Verus
Great Britain 1873 3d rose, plate 11.
£2,500 Great Britain 1873 3d rose, plate 11, SG143var. A very fine unused original gum imperforate imprimatur lettered TH. A very rare stamp being one of only 22 possible examples, many of which are in institutional collections.
£5,000 Great Britain King George V 1912 1d die proof (Stage 5), SG357var. A very fine uncleared example from the "completed" state with stepped frame line at left, printed in blue in thin glazed card (27 x 33mm). A scarce specialised piece of GB philately. Penny, Completed, Proof
Great Britain 1912 King George V1d die proof (Stage 5)
£5,000 Great Britain King George V 1912 1d die proof (Stage 5), SG357var. A very fine uncleared example from the "completed" state with stepped frame line at left, printed in blue in thin glazed card (27 x 33mm). A scarce specialised piece of GB philately.
£3,950 British Virgin Islands 1883 (28 Feb) colour scheme proofs (160 x 215mm, headed "Appendix" in miniature sheet and with handstamped date at upper right) submitted by De La Rue to the Crown Agents in response to an order for a new ½d value. The problem was that the current 1d keyplate was already in emerald-green (SG24), although "green" was now the international colour for a ½d stamp. Venice Italy Travel, Island Art, Thing 1, Italy Vacation, British Virgin Islands, Honeymoon Destinations, Romantic Travel, Hand Stamped
British Virgin Islands 1883 (28 Feb) colour scheme proofs
£3,950 British Virgin Islands 1883 (28 Feb) colour scheme proofs (160 x 215mm, headed "Appendix" in miniature sheet and with handstamped date at upper right) submitted by De La Rue to the Crown Agents in response to an order for a new ½d value. The problem was that the current 1d keyplate was already in emerald-green (SG24), although "green" was now the international colour for a ½d stamp.
£1,900 Great Britain 1938 3s booklet "Car & General Insurance Corpn. Ltd" (Edition No. 373), SGBD22. A very fine and fresh example. Booklet, Insurance, Edition, Fresh
Great Britain 1938 3s booklet "Car & General Insurance Corpn. Ltd"
£1,900 Great Britain 1938 3s booklet "Car & General Insurance Corpn. Ltd" (Edition No. 373), SGBD22. A very fine and fresh example.
£4,750 Great Britain King George V 1913 2s6d "Seahorse" colour trial. Very fine unused imperforate example printed by Waterlow in deep sepia on ungummed "JAS WRIGLEY LD-219" paper. A most attractive example. Wrigley, Seahorse, Trials, Attractive
Great Britain 1913 King George V 2s6d "Seahorse" colour trial.
£4,750 Great Britain King George V 1913 2s6d "Seahorse" colour trial. Very fine unused imperforate example printed by Waterlow in deep sepia on ungummed "JAS WRIGLEY LD-219" paper. A most attractive example.
£900 Great Britain 1924 2s Booklet (Edition No. 13), SGBB12. A very fine example with advertisement pane NB15(1). Scarce. West Indies, Global, Advertising
Great Britain 1924 2s Booklet (Edition No. 13)
£900 Great Britain 1924 2s Booklet (Edition No. 13), SGBB12. A very fine example with advertisement pane NB15(1). Scarce.
£1,950 Great Britain 1876 8d colour trial, SG156var plate 1. A superb unmounted original gum left hand marginal imperforate block of four lettered NA-OB, showing part sheet inscription. Printed in pale orange-yellow with each stamp overprinted "SPECIMEN" type 11. A scarce multiple especially in such exquisite condition. Pale Orange, Plates, Lettering, Colour
Great Britain 1876 8d colour trial Plate 1.
£1,950 Great Britain 1876 8d colour trial, SG156var plate 1. A superb unmounted original gum left hand marginal imperforate block of four lettered NA-OB, showing part sheet inscription. Printed in pale orange-yellow with each stamp overprinted "SPECIMEN" type 11. A scarce multiple especially in such exquisite condition.
£2,500 USA 1909 3c "George Washington" Deep violet (Experimental printing on bluish "rag" paper.) SG366. A very fine, well centred and fresh unused original gum example of this scarce experimental printing.  Approximately only 4,000 were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.  Accompanied with a photocopy of a 1964 Philatelic Foundation (PF) Certificate of Authenticity from which this single was taken. 3c, George Washington, Authenticity, Certificate, Foundation
USA 1909 3c deep violet
£2,500 USA 1909 3c "George Washington" Deep violet (Experimental printing on bluish "rag" paper.) SG366. A very fine, well centred and fresh unused original gum example of this scarce experimental printing. Approximately only 4,000 were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Accompanied with a photocopy of a 1964 Philatelic Foundation (PF) Certificate of Authenticity from which this single was taken.
£20,000 Great Britain Queen Elizabeth II 1966 4d Birds (Ordinary paper), SG696ab.  A superb unmounted original gum left hand marginal block of four with black, blue, bistre and reddish brown omitted, offered with normal block for comparison.  The error results in the loss of value and inscription on all stamps. Also affected are the gull's head, wing detail and water shading; the blue tit's feather detail and branch shading; the robin's wings and legs; and the blackbird's body and legs. Bistre, Reddish Brown, Queen Elizabeth Ii, Black Bird, Comparison
Great Britain 1966 Queen Elizabeth II 4d Birds (Ordinary paper)
£20,000 Great Britain Queen Elizabeth II 1966 4d Birds (Ordinary paper), SG696ab. A superb unmounted original gum left hand marginal block of four with black, blue, bistre and reddish brown omitted, offered with normal block for comparison. The error results in the loss of value and inscription on all stamps. Also affected are the gull's head, wing detail and water shading; the blue tit's feather detail and branch shading; the robin's wings and legs; and the blackbird's body and legs.
£7,500 Great Britain King Edward VII 1909 1½d colour trial. A very fine example printed in dull purple on yellow, gummed, Crown watermarked paper. The stamp was produced for the proposed monocolour issue that was subsequently abandoned on the death of the King. Very rare, no more than two or three examples of each colour recorded in private hands. Provenance: Ex. Minoru Collection. SG221var. Dull, Abandoned, Death
Great Britain 1909 King Edward VII.
£7,500 Great Britain King Edward VII 1909 1½d colour trial. A very fine example printed in dull purple on yellow, gummed, Crown watermarked paper. The stamp was produced for the proposed monocolour issue that was subsequently abandoned on the death of the King. Very rare, no more than two or three examples of each colour recorded in private hands. Provenance: Ex. Minoru Collection. SG221var.
£7,000 Great Britain 1885 ½d "Jubilee" Essay, SG197var. A very fine hand painted example in red brown with details of the design highlighted in Chinese white inscribed "Postage & Revenue", affixed to a piece of white card (30 x 35mm). A spectacular and unique essay. Revenue, Jubilee, Essay, Chinese
Great Britain 1885 ½d "Jubilee" Essay
£7,000 Great Britain 1885 ½d "Jubilee" Essay, SG197var. A very fine hand painted example in red brown with details of the design highlighted in Chinese white inscribed "Postage & Revenue", affixed to a piece of white card (30 x 35mm). A spectacular and unique essay.
£10,000 Great Britain 1949 2s6d Booklet (Edition June 1949), SG488b. A very fine example containing a 2d pale orange pane incorrectly inserted and spectacularly miscut to the extent that it includes elements of three horizontal tête-bêche pairs. Two 1d stamps removed from 1st pane (probably used before the error was discovered), nevertheless a stunning variety and great rarity which is in all probability unique. Probability, Rarity
Great Britain 1949 2s6d Booklet (Edition June 1949)
£10,000 Great Britain 1949 2s6d Booklet (Edition June 1949), SG488b. A very fine example containing a 2d pale orange pane incorrectly inserted and spectacularly miscut to the extent that it includes elements of three horizontal tête-bêche pairs. Two 1d stamps removed from 1st pane (probably used before the error was discovered), nevertheless a stunning variety and great rarity which is in all probability unique.
£7,000 Great Britain 1875 3d Rose plate 17, SG143var. A very fine and fresh unused original gum imperforate top marginal imprimatur lettered AB showing current number "455". A magnificent and unique positional example, the other current number example TK remains on the imprimatur sheet in the Post Office archives.
Great Britain 1875 3d Rose plate 17
£7,000 Great Britain 1875 3d Rose plate 17, SG143var. A very fine and fresh unused original gum imperforate top marginal imprimatur lettered AB showing current number "455". A magnificent and unique positional example, the other current number example TK remains on the imprimatur sheet in the Post Office archives.