Sale 1198 — The Dimitris Bertsimas Collection of Important Great Britain Stamps and Multiples
Sale Date — Tuesday, 19 March, 2019
Category — Surface Printed Issues, 1855-80
GREAT BRITAIN, 1878, 2-1/2p Rosy Mauve (SG Specialised J11; SG 141; Scott 67). Block of sixteen, Mint N.H., Plate 10, lettered A-H to D-K, lovely shade on bright paper, couple minor gum wrinkles as to be expectedVERY FINE BLOCK OF THE 2-1/2-PENCE ROSE MAUVE FROM PLATE 10 -- INFREQUENTLY FOUND IN MULTIPLES OF THIS SIZE.
Multiples of any size are quite scarce. In order to feed collector demand, most large pieces such as this have been broken down into blocks of four. Ex Baillie. SG as four blocks of four £14,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1880, 2-1/2p Rosy Mauve (SG Specialised J18; SG 141; Scott 67). Block of four, Plate 17, lettered F-E to G-F, original gum, top pair lightly hinged, bottom pair Mint N.H., bottom right stamp with light pencil marking on gumFINE AND RARE BLOCK OF THE 2-1/2-PENCE ROSY MAUVE FROM THE SCARCE PLATE 17. PARTICULARLY RARE AS A MULTIPLE.
Only 5,000 sheets were printed from Plate 17 in Rosy Mauve. As a comparison to rarity, about 30,000 sheets were printed of the 2-1/2p Blue (SG 142) from Plate 17 just months after the Rosy Mauve.
Ex Baillie. SG £9,500
GREAT BRITAIN, 1880, 2-1/2p Blue (SG Specialised J22; SG 142; Scott 68). Block of four, Mint N.H., Plate 20, lettered J-E to K-F, well-centered, strong color on fresh paper, Very Fine and choice, a superb block in all regards, ex Baillie, SG as hinged £3,000
GREAT BRITAIN, 1861, 3p Rose, "Specimen" Overprint (SG Specialised J25As; SG 91 Footnote; Scott 37S var). Plate 2, lettered H-E, "Specimen" Ty. 2, wing margin at left, original gum, lightly hinged, fresh color, Very Fine, a scarce "Specimen" and affordable alternative to the unissued stamp which catalogues £20,000, SG £800
GREAT BRITAIN, 1862, 3p Deep Carmine Rose (SG Specialised J26(1); SG 75; Scott 37a). Plate 2, lettered A-A, original gum, h.r., deep rich shade, Fine, scarce original-gum example, ex Gross, SG £4,800, Scott $5,000.00
GREAT BRITAIN, 1871, 3p Rose (SG Specialised J31; SG 103; Scott 49). Interpanneau gutter selvage block of sixteen with wing margin at right, Plate 6, lettered M-A to P-D, original gum, lightly hinged, central block Mint N.H., gutter inscription reads "PRICE. 3 Pence per Label. 1 Shilling per Row of 4. 10 Shillings per Sheet of 40.", horizontal bend thru selvage and couple other light bendsVERY FINE. AN IMPORTANT AND RARE POSITION PIECE OF THE 3-PENCE ROSE FROM PLATE 6 WITH INTERPANNEAU GUTTER SELVAGE. RARELY ENCOUNTERED IN THIS FORMAT.
Ex Baillie. SG value as four blocks of four with no premium for the interpanneau gutter £13,600.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1871, 3p Rose (SG Specialised J32; SG 103; Scott 49). Top left corner selvage current no. 328 partial pane of nineteen with wing margin at right, Plate 7, lettered A-A to E-C, original gum, four stamps lightly hinged, others appear Mint N.H., deep rich shade, trace of a few light gum bends (mainly in selvage) and folded along perfs twice, position E-C with minor corner crease and small manuscript marking in top selvage, position E-D and interpanneau selvage at bottom missing for complete paneVERY FINE. AN IMPRESSIVE CURRENT NUMBER MULTIPLE OF THE 3-PENCE ROSE FROM PLATE 7. A RARE SURFACE PRINTED BLOCK IN THIS SIZE.
Ex Baillie. SG simply as four blocks of four and three singles £16,350.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1871, 3p Rose (SG Specialised J35; SG 103; Scott 49). Block of sixteen with interpanneau gutter selvage at bottom and wing margin at left, Plate 10, lettered B-I to E-L, original gum, top central pair lightly hinged, rest are Mint N.H., gutter inscription reads "PRICE. 3 Pence per Label. 1 Shilling per Row of 4. 10 Shillings per Sheet of 40.", fresh color, small toned spot in bottom selvage of little consequenceVERY FINE. A STRIKING POSITION BLOCK OF THE 3-PENCE ROSE FROM THE SCARCER PLATE 10. SELDOM ENCOUNTERED IN A MULTIPLE OF THIS SIZE.
Ex Baillie. SG as four blocks of four £22,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1875, 3p Rose (SG Specialised J41; SG 144; Scott 61). Block of four with interpanneau gutter selvage at top and wing margin at right, Mint N.H., Plate 17, lettered F-C to G-D, part inscription "1 Shilling per Row of 4. 10 Shillings per Sheet of 40.", excellent color on pristine paperVERY FINE. A HANDSOME NEVER-HINGED INTERPANNEAU GUTTER BLOCK OF THE 3-PENCE ROSE FROM PLATE 17.
Ex Baillie. With 1997 B.P.A. certificate as a block of eight from which this came. SG as hinged with no premium for interpanneau gutter selvage £3,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1875, 3p Rose (SG Specialised J42; SG 144; Scott 61). Bottom right corner selvage block of six with "3 Pence, 1 Shilling, 10 Shillings" inscription at bottom, Plate 18, lettered N-J to O-L, original gum, lightly hinged (two small hinge slivers sensibly reinforcing perfs at center), pretty shade, some minor gum bends mostly in selvage and small thin in left selvage (none of which is mentioned on accompanying certificate)FINE-VERY FINE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 3-PENCE ROSE FROM PLATE 18.
Ex Baillie. With 1979 R.P.S. certificate. SG as block of four and two singles £4,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1857, 4p Rose (SG Specialised J51(2); SG 66a; Scott 26). Block of four, original gum, lovely pastel shade on bright paper, light vertical crease thru right pairFINE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF THE 4-PENCE ROSE ON WHITE PAPER. PARTICULARLY RARE IN A MULTIPLE.
Ex Latto and Baillie. SG £12,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1863, 4p Pale Red (SG Specialised J53(2); SG 82; Scott 34b). Block of nine with wing margin at left, Plate 4 (with hair lines added), lettered E-G to G-I, original gum, couple h.r.'s at top, central row Mint N.H., particularly well-centered, bold and bright color, single thinned perf at top and some minor offset at bottomVERY FINE AND EYE-APPEALING LARGE MULTIPLE OF THE 4-PENCE IN THE PALE RED SHADE FROM PLATE 4. A SURFACE PRINTED RARITY IN A MULTIPLE OF THIS SIZE.
Ex Baillie. SG as block and five singles £20,500.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1863, 4p Pale Red, Imperforate (SG Specialised J53(2)d; SG 82a; Scott 34d). Horizontal pair with sheet margin at top, other margins ample, Plate 4 (with hair lines added), lettered AI-AJ, original gum, lightly hinged, pretty color, couple horizontal creases in top marginVERY FINE AND SELDOM ENCOUNTERED IMPERFORATE PAIR OF THE 1863 4-PENCE PALE RED FROM PLATE 4.
Imprimaturs from this plate can be distinguished by either the lettering and/or the color shade. Since some of the lettering overlaps, as is the case with this example, the shade is the key indicator of identification. Imprimaturs are in a much deeper shade of Red.
Ex Baillie. SG as singles £7,400.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1877, 4p Sage Green (SG Specialised J64; SG 153; Scott 70). Block of six, Mint N.H., Plate 15, lettered D-A to E-C, wonderfully fresh color on bright paperFINE. A RARE MULTIPLE OF THE 4-PENCE IN SAGE GREEN FROM PLATE 15, ESPECIALLY SO IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Plate 15 was originally used to print the 4p Vermilion beginning in 1875 before the change of color the following year. Due to the shorter span of life in printing the Sage Green, Plate 15 is slightly rarer than Plate 16.
Ex Baillie. With 1989 B.P.A. certificate. SG as hinged block and two singles £10,800
GREAT BRITAIN, 1880, 4p Grey Brown (SG Specialised J69; SG 160; Scott 84). Plate 18, lettered B-K to B-L, horizontal pair, original gum, lightly hinged, bold color and crisp impression, Fine and scarce pair, catalogued as singles, SG £900, Scott $880.00
GREAT BRITAIN, 1862, 6p Deep Lilac (SG Specialised J71(1); SG 83; Scott 39h). Plate 3, lettered O-G, original gum, gorgeous rich color on bright paper, well-centered, Very Fine, ex Gross, with 1985 B.P.A. certificate, SG £2,800, Scott $2,600.00
GREAT BRITAIN, 1867, 6p Lilac (SG Specialised J75(1); SG 104; Scott 50). Block of four with interpanneau gutter selvage with "PRICE. 6 Pence per Label" inscription at bottom and wing margin at left, Plate 6, lettered N-E to O-F, slightly crackly original gum, minor hinge sliver between top pair reinforcing perfs, fresh color, horizontal crease thru gutter selvageFINE POSITIONAL BLOCK OF THE 6-PENCE LILAC FROM PLATE 6, ESPECIALLY RARE AS A MULTIPLE OF ANY SIZE.
The rarity of a block is shown by the over 50% premium in catalogue value in the SG Specialised (four singles catalogue £7,200). Ex Harrison-Cripps and Baillie. With 1970 R.P.S. certificate mistakenly identifying this block as SG 97. SG £11,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1870, 6p Mauve (SG Specialised J77; SG 109; Scott 51). Plate 9, lettered G-G, original gum, barely hinged, gorgeous rich color, fresh and Fine, with 1990 B.P.A. certificate, SG £700, Scott $650.00
GREAT BRITAIN, 1870, 6p Mauve (SG Specialised J77; SG 109; Scott 51). Block of six with wing margin at right, Plate 9, lettered S-B to T-D, original gum, center vertical pair lightly hinged, others Mint N.H, excellent centering, deep rich shadeVERY FINE AND ATTRACTIVE MULTIPLE OF THE 6-PENCE MAUVE FROM PLATE 9.
At a quick glance, there are a few spots on the reverse that appear thinned. The watermark was heavily impressed causing this appearance.
Ex Baillie. SG as block and two singles £5,150.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1870, 6p Mauve (SG Specialised J77; SG 109; Scott 51). Complete pane of 20 with full current no. 329 selvage and wing margin at left, Plate 9, lettered P-I to T-L, stamps Mint N.H. though a few sensible hinge reinforcements in selvage, inscription "PRICE. 6 Pence per Label. 2 Shillings per Row of 4. 1 Pound per Sheet of 40." at top, well-centered, rich color, horizontal crease in top selvage and thru first row, couple other folds along perfs, couple inconsequential selvage faults and slightly ragged wing margin perfsA FINE AND TRULY REMARKABLE COMPLETE PANE OF 20 OF THE 6-PENCE MAUVE FROM PLATE 9. A PHENOMENAL SHOWPIECE AS A COMPLETE PANE AND BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY EXAMPLE IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Latto and Baillie. SG as four blocks and four singles £17,900 is hardly any reflection on the rarity of the pane but just highlights the scarcity of blocks alone
GREAT BRITAIN, 1873, 6p Grey (SG Specialised J81; SG 125; Scott 60). Plate 12, lettered N-L, original gum, lovely rich color on bright paper, Fine and quite scarce in sound condition with original gum, ex Gross, SG £1,900, Scott $1,900.00
GREAT BRITAIN, 1874, 6p Grey (SG Specialised J83; SG 147; Scott 62). Block of four with part imprint "(S)IX PENCE." at bottom and wing margin at left, Plate 13, lettered I-E to J-F, original gum, top pair lightly hinged, bottom pair Mint N.H., well-centered, intense shade and sharp impression, couple shorter perfs in selvage, Very Fine, ex Latto and Baillie, SG £2,750
GREAT BRITAIN, 1878, 6p Grey (SG Specialised J86; SG 147; Scott 62). Complete pane of 20 with full selvage inscription at top "Price: 6 Pence per Label, 2 Shillings per Row of 4, 1 Pound per Sheet of 40", partial plate no. 16 at bottom and red Crowned "Postage 6p" handstamp at left, wing margin at right, lettered P-A to T-D, original gum, few stamps lightly hinged but majority are Mint N.H., couple of gum bends and creases most prominent in top selvage, bold colorFINE-VERY FINE. A TRULY REMARKABLE COMPLETE PANE OF 20 OF THE 6-PENCE FROM PLATE 16. A SURFACE PRINTED RARITY AND UNLIKELY MANY COMPLETE PANES STILL EXIST.
Ex Latto and Baillie. SG as four blocks of four and singles £14,000
GREAT BRITAIN, 1878, 6p Grey (SG Specialised J86; SG 147; Scott 62). Complete pane of 20 with selvage inscription at top "POSTAGE SIX PENCE.", wing margins at right, Plate 16, lettered K-A to O-D, original gum, couple h.r. sensibly reinforcing perfs though most are Mint N.H., couple mild bends, creases along perfs and slightly split between first and second columnFINE EXAMPLE OF ANOTHER COMPLETE PANE OF 20 OF THE 6-PENCE FROM PLATE 16. A RARE SURFACE PRINTED PANE, SELDOM OFFERED.
Despite the fact that the Bertsimas collection contains two panes, these multiples are by no measure common. It is unlikely that more than a couple others still exist.
Ex Latto and Baillie. SG as four blocks of four and singles £14,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1876, 8p Purple Brown, Unissued (SG Specialised J91; SG 156a; Scott 72). Block of four, Mint N.H., Plate 1, lettered E-C to F-D, rich color with a razor-sharp impression, light vertical gum crease thru left pairFINE AND SPECTACULAR BLOCK OF THE UNISSUED 8-PENCE IN PURPLE BROWN. THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLES IN EXISTENCE.
The 8p was originally issued to prepay the then-rate of postage to India via Marseilles and Australia via Brindisi. Despite the need for the value immediately, the printing was cancelled and issue postponed after 10,000 sheets were printed. The Purple Brown resembled the Rosy Mauve of the 2-1/2p too closely. All of the sheets were supposed to have been destroyed. All known examples can be traced from their centering to the top left quarter of one sheet. Therefore, it is believed that no more than 60 exist in total. We are aware of only one larger multiple known, a bottom left corner selvage block of six (I-A to J-C) and one other that shares this size.
Ex Latto and Baillie. With 2005 B.P.A. certificate. SG as hinged £50,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1876, 8p Orange (SG Specialised J91A; SG 156; Scott 73). Block of four, Plate 1, lettered F-C to G-D, original gum, top pair lightly hinged, bottom pair Mint N.H., excellent centering, wonderfully vibrant color on bright paperVERY FINE AND EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH UNUSED BLOCK OF THE 8-PENCE ORANGE. RARE IN THIS PRISTINE CONDITION.
Ex Baillie. With 1983 B.P.A. certificate. SG £9,750.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1862, 9p Bistre (SG Specialised J92(1); SG 86; Scott 40d). Bottom left corner block of six with part inscription "PRICE. Ninepence per Label, 3 Shillings per Row of 4" inscription at bottom and wing margin at left, Plate 2, lettered D-I to E-K, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade on fresh paper, couple light creases affecting outer vertical pairs and selvageVERY FINE APPEARING MULTIPLE OF THIS RARE 9-PENCE BISTRE STAMP, EXPONENTIALLY SO AS AN UNUSED POSITION BLOCK OF SIX. AN IMPRESSIVE SURFACE-PRINTED RARITY AND STATED TO BE THE FINEST MULTIPLE IN EXISTENCE.
Ex "Maximus" and Baillie. With 1984 B.P.A. certificate. SG as block of Straw shade (the Straw single is valued at £3,750 versus the Bistre at £5,250) and two singles £32,500.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1862, 1sh Deep Green (SG Specialised J101(1); SG 89; Scott 42a). Plate 2 (showing Plate 1), lettered D-L, original gum, lightly hinged, strong color, Fine and scarce in sound original-gum condition, ex Gross, signed Bolaffi and A. Diena, SG £4,800, Scott $4,750.00
GREAT BRITAIN, 1867, 1sh Green (SG Specialised J104(2); SG 117; Scott 54). Bottom left corner selvage block of six with "PRICE. One Shilling per Label, 4 Shillings per Row of 4" inscription at bottom, Plate 4, lettered N-A to O-C, slightly crackily original gum, few stamps appear Mint N.H., bold color, light gum bends and small tear in selvage at leftFINE. A SCARCE AND ATTRACTIVE MULTIPLE OF THE ONE-SHILLING FROM PLATE 4.
Ex Baillie. SG as block and two singles £7,950.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1871, 1sh Deep Green (SG Specialised J105(1); SG 115; Scott 54a). Complete pane of 20 with full selvage at top with "POSTAGE ONE SHILLING" inscription, left and bottom with "PRICE. One Shilling per Label, 4 Shillings per Row of 4, One Pound per Sheet of 20" inscription at bottom, wing margin at right, Plate 5, lettered K-A to O-D, original gum, few stamps lightly hinged, mostly Mint N.H., excellent depth of color, crease thru second row, minute thin on O-D and small perf separation between first and second row at rightA VERY FINE AND SPECTACULAR COMPLETE PANE OF THE ONE-SHILLING IN THE SCARCE DEEP GREEN SHADE FROM PLATE 5. A SHOWPIECE COMPLETE PANE WHICH WE BELIEVE NO MORE THAN A FEW EXIST FROM ANY PLATE.
Ex Latto and Baillie. SG as four blocks (in the cheaper Green shade whereby singles are valued £200 cheaper) and four singles £24,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1876, 1sh Green (SG Specialised J113; SG 150; Scott 64). Bottom right corner selvage block of nine with part inscription "1 Shilling per Label, 4 Shillings per Row of 4, 1 Pound per Sheet of 20" at bottom and wing margin at right, Plate 13, lettered R-B to T-D, original gum, three stamps lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., bright color on fresh paper, small toned spot in selvageFINE-VERY FINE AND HANDSOME BLOCK OF NINE OF THE ONE-SHILLING FROM PLATE 13. A RARE MULTIPLE OF THIS HIGH VALUE FROM THE SURFACE-PRINTED ISSUES.
Ex Baillie. SG as block of four and singles (which insufficiently reflects the rarity of a block of this size) is £6,875
GREAT BRITAIN, 1881, 1sh Orange Brown (SG Specialised J117; SG 163; Scott 87). Block of 20, Plate 14, lettered A-A to E-D, original gum, few h.r.'s though ten stamps appear Mint N.H., warm shade, pulled perf at top affecting A-A and A-B, E-A with small thin spotA VERY FINE AND EXTRAORDINARILY LARGE MULTIPLE OF THE ONE-SHILLING ORANGE BROWN FROM PLATE 14. THIS IS THOUGHT TO BE THE LARGEST MULTIPLE KNOWN IN PRIVATE HANDS.
This block is equal to £1 of unused postage, a hefty sum at the time. When adjusting for inflation and purchasing power, this represents about £100 of unused postage left by the wayside. As evidenced by the increase in catalogue value between four singles and a block of four in SG Specialised -- £2,700 as singles and £4,000 as a block -- one can only imagine what the premium is for a multiple of this magnitude. There is one larger multiple known, a block of 20 (ex Phillips) that has since been institutionalized.
Ex Latto and Baillie. SG as four blocks and four singles £18,700.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1867, 2sh Dull Blue (SG Specialised J118(1); SG 118; Scott 55). Block of four with part inscription "POSTAGE TW(O)" at bottom and wing margin at left, Plate 1, lettered S-E to T-F, original gum, fresh pastel shade with a sharp impression, light traces of a couple gum wrinklesFINE AND IMMENSELY RARE UNUSED BLOCK OF THE 2-SHILLING DULL BLUE, PLATE 1. AN UNDER-APPRECIATED RARITY AS A MULTIPLE AND MISSING FROM EVEN THE MOST ADVANCED COLLECTIONS.
After an exhaustive review of numerous name auction sales in which singles and even used blocks show up with frequency, unused blocks (or even pairs) of this issue are rarely encountered. We are aware of only one larger multiple, a corner selvage block of six (ex Latto), although the block offered here is in arguably better condition and nicer appearance.
Ex Baillie. SG £20,000.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1867, 2sh Milky Blue (SG Specialised J118(5); SG 120b; Scott 55d). Horizontal pair, Plate 1, lettered D-B to D-C, original gum, lightly hinged, gorgeous color in this distinctive shade, right stamp with light bendFINE HORIZONTAL PAIR OF THE 1867 2-SHILLING IN THE MILKY BLUE SHADE. AN ESPECIALLY RARE SHADE AND EXPONENTIALLY SO AS A MULTIPLE. QUITE LIKELY THE ONLY EXISTING UNUSED MULTIPLE.
While larger used multiples are known, this is the only unused multiple we have been able to locate. Ex Alcock and Baillie. With 1971 B.P.A. certificate. Catalogued as singles. SG £48,000. Scott $40,000.00.
GREAT BRITAIN, 1880, 2sh Brown (SG Specialised J120; SG 121; Scott 56). Plate 1, lettered O-D, wing margin at right, original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful depth of color on bright paperFINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1880 2-SHILLING BROWN. A CHALLENGING STAMP TO ACQUIRE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS PRISTINE STATE OF PRESERVATION.
In 1879 the Universal Postal Union recommended establishing an international color standard for stamps in the basic UPU rates. This required changing the 2-1/2p to Blue, but that conflicted with the then-current 2sh color. Brown was selected as the replacement color, and De La Rue printed a new batch of stamps which were released in Feb. 1880. The stamps were withdrawn on July 16, 1880, creating a period of about six months when these stamps were on sale. The short-lived sale period of the 2sh Brown explains its rarity, particularly in unused condition.
Ex Baillie. SG £30,000. Scott $27,500.00.
Website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy