Auction 309-320 - Great Britain 1840–1841 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

1854/1872, Study of "Double Perforation" varieties on line engraved and Surface Printed stamps, presented upon two neatly written-up album pages, comprises eleven examples, including a spectacular large piece with a block of six 1854, 1 d. red, plate 172, showing double perforation which have partially disintegrated, with splitting of top row and intact lower row, also 2 d. blue vertical pair with double perforation between, several surface...

1854, 1 d red, plate 178, lettered JI-KJ, die I, alphabet II, small crown wmk.,perf. 16, block of four, showing dramatic variety "partial imperforate" between "J" and "K" rows and to the side of "KI" and between "KI-KJ", a unique block; a strip of three IF-IH from the same partially perforated sheet exists cancelled by the same Irish "115" of Castlederg (Ireland); his error was caused by the interuption of the perforation operation at the "J...

1854, 2 d. blue, plate 4, lettered AD, die I, alphabet I, wmk. small crown, variety "Imperforate three sides", showing perforation 16 across base, used on cover, from London to Pershore, dated 8 January 1855, tied by London Inland cancel in black, to reverse the London dispatch and a fine strike of the Pershore towndated in brown, 9 January 1855, stamp is in "state II" repair of plate showing slight signs of renewed wear, large margins top...

1854, 1 d. red plate R1, lettered DA, used, with variety "Perf. 7" at left, cancelled by "635" English numeral of Reading, very fine nicely balanced example, visually spectacular, scarce variety and rare this attractive.  SG Spec. C1m = £850.rnReference: "Stamp Perforation: The Somerset House Years 1848 to 1880", by R. Simpson & P. Sargent.

1854, 1 d. red plate R1, lettered PA, variety "Perf. 7" at left, used on cover, from London to Ledbury, dispatched dated 12 January 1855, the earliest recorded use of stamp with this variety, vertical filing crease well clear of adhesive, slight toning, otherwise fine, a splendid and rare example. SG Spec. C1m = £850 for single stamp off cover.rnReference: "Stamp Perforation: The Somerset House Years 1848 to 1880", by R. Simpson & P....

1854, 1 d. red plate 197, lettered FA-FB, horizontal pair, FA with variety "Perf. 7" at left, used on cover, from London to Plymouth, 17 January 1855, which is an early use of stamp with this variety on cover, horizontal filing crease and soiling affecting FA, both with pre-fix tears, probably as a result of the separation process being hampered by the variety; only known to occur on plates 193-198, 200-2002 and R1-R6; a rare example on cover...

1857, 1 d. rose-red, plate 59, lettered AK-AL, used horizontal pair, variety missing perforation pin "L column", cancelled by the Irish "156" duplex of Dublin, nicely centered fine example, extremely rare, believed to be unique. SG Spec. C10o = £1250+.rnReference: Illustrated in colour within "Stamp Perforation: The Somerset House Years 1848 to 1880", by R. Simpson & P. Sargent, on plate 8. 

1854/1858, Study of Broken Perforation Pins, set out on ten album pages, neatly written-up, predominately used singles, although six covers, several multiples, outlines the various varieties and their states, many visually spectacular items, noted 1 d. red plate 174 block of four showing variety no. 4 state 1, also a strip of three from plate 176 exhibiting variety no. 5, a registered 1854 cover with vertical strip of three plate 185, variety...

1857, 1 d. dull red, plate 48, lettered ED, die II, alphabet III, large crown wmk., unused, variety Imperforate, printed on toned paper, no gum, four good margins, slightly soiled, a scarce example from this transitional printing with only 15 imperforate examples from plate 48 recorded in the Karl Louis Card Index, all originating from the top seven A to G rows. Cert. RPSL (1995). SG38 C9(5)g = £5'500.rnRemark: The adjoining imperf. single...

1864, 1 d. rose-red, plate 92, lettered AB, variety Imperforate, used on miniture envelope, from Preston sent locally, dated 25 November 1868, tied by duplex cancel in black, four margins, some soiling, comes matched with the Imprimatur from the same plate/position which has three margins, with top marginal with part inscription, folded top margin as is the norm and ink mark to reverse showing through, however very attractive and rare matched...

1864, 1 d. rose-red, plate 116, lettered AE, unused, variety Imperforate "Cardiff Penny", original gum, left side marginal with full selvedge and part inscription, manuscript endorsement in margin "Cardiff Jan. 1870", showing portion of four adjoining stamps, torn irregularly, just cut into right side, otherwise good to very large margins all round, extremely fresh colour, a delightful and 'iconic' exhibition piece, very rare in mint...

1864, 1 d. rose-red, plate 116, lettered MH, used, variety Imperforate "Cardiff Penny", cut into small part of top right side otherwise margins all round, part of MI to right, cancel indistinct, probably Cardiff "162", a scarce and good used example of this rare variety. Cert. RPSL (1978).  SG44 Spec. G1g = £4'000.  rnReference: "The Postage Stamps of Great Britain - Part Two" by W.R.D. Wiggins (1962).rn