Although you might think of stamps as something to send away, a rare few are worth holding onto. Whether they are old and uncommon, a limited design or a unique misprint, there is plenty of intriguing variety. This Friday, 28 February, Martello Auctions is hosting their Auction of Stamps, Other Philatelic Material and Coins. With over 600 lots, there are many options for both experienced and casual collectors alike.
Spanning much of the British Commonwealth, this mint and used George VI collection comes mounted in a SG Crown printed album. It comes with sets (including most 1948 weddings) as well as individual stamps. Many of the countries of the Commonwealth are represented, such as the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Falklands, Indian States and Antigua, making it a solid collection to build on.
Royal portraits are commonplace on stamps, but on this one the king in question is a king penguin, representing the Falkland Islands. The islands were claimed as British territory in 1833, and the 1933 stamp was released as a limited centenary commemoration.
This stockbook expands beyond the British Empire to other parts of the world, including treasures such as early China Dragons and stamps from Haiti, Hawaii, France and beyond. The contents are in mixed condition, but include rare pieces like the Mandarin Yellow that elevate the entire collection.
Beloved actress and comedian Joyce Grenfell was commemorated in a 1998 ‘Comedians’ series of stamps, along with Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecomb, Les Dawson and Peter Cook. Like many sought-after stamps, this one is a misprint – although it was intended to be a 37p stamp, a limited number were erroneously printed as 30p.
The Penny Black was first issued in 1840, and made history as the first-ever adhesive stamp to be produced. This collection includes sixteen Penny Blacks in fine condition, along with multiple Penny Reds, 2p Blues, and a range of other stamps produced up to 1951, coming together in one spectacular collection.
King George V himself was an avid philatelist, and today his collection of 328 Red Albums are housed in St. James’s Palace along with the ‘Blue Albums’ of George VI and the ‘Green Albums’ of Elizabeth II. His likeness appears on this £5 Violet and Black stamp of Gibraltar from 1925, lightly mounted and in mint condition.
Limited viewing of lots is available at Martello Auctions’ Hythe office the week prior, by appointment only. The sale will commence on Friday, 28 February at 1pm, at the Holiday Inn Ashford in Kent. If you won’t be able to make it, there is a live virtual catalogue available and registration and bidding may be done online.
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Article sponsored by Martello Auctions
