Auction Review: Stunning Sketch of King George VI Fetches 4 x Estimate During Exceptional GB Sale

The Highly anticipated sale of the Tony Mundy Collection of Great Britain did not disappoint! 

Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s was honoured to present the exceptional 'Tony Mundy' collection of Great Britain, a remarkable assemblage of King George VI material which went under the hammer on 31 October 2024. Meticulously curated over several decades, this collection featured a diverse array of items, including conceptual sketches and artworks by renowned philatelic designers like Edmund Dulac and Enid Marx. 


The collection showcased an in-depth exploration of both definitive and commemorative issues, as well as an extensive range of specimens, booklets, postage dues, and Channel Islands material. Standouts were die proofs and pre-production essays for iconic issues such as the 'Arms' and 'Festival' high values, as well as the extraordinary selection of German propaganda overprint stamps, representing one of the finest assortments the auction house has ever had the privilege to handle. A rare opportunity to acquire an unparalleled array of these sought-after overprints, the sale proved a must-see for the serious collector.


One particular highlight of the sale was Lot 1, a breathtaking King George VI portrait pencil sketch ion tracing paper by celebrated French illustrator Edmund Dulac. In the landscape of illustration, few names resonate with the magic and elegance of Dulac, who was born in 1882 in Toulouse, France. His work captured the imaginations of countless readers with his enchanting fairytale illustrations. His images played a part as significant historically as artistically, making remarkable contributions during World War II. As noted in a piece on Messy Nessy Chic, commenting on the 1940 collection of stories he illustrated: “in the midst of war, he gave the world electrifying fairytales.” Edmund Dulac’s artistic talents extended also to the world of philately, marking significant contributions to British postal history. In the 1930s, Dulac was commissioned to design a series of stamps for King George V, who was a passionate philatelist himself, and he continued to illustrate notable stamp designs for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. 


Dulac's early work in this realm included the striking designs for the British Empire Exhibition in 1924, which celebrated the rich tapestry of the British Commonwealth. His designs during this time were characterized by a unique blend of whimsy and elegance, incorporating fantastical elements that captured the imagination while maintaining the regal significance expected of royal commissions. This particular sketch – Lot 1 – is a spectacular frontispiece for any King George VI collection. Estimated at £1,000 – 1,200, the item sold for £5040 including fees.

Auction Highlights

Further highlights from the sale:

• Lot 32 – 1937-47 ½d-1s Definitive (Dark colours, SG462-475). A magnificent extensive collection in a green Lighthouse album, with hundreds of items including singles, watermark varieties, multiples, control/cylinder blocks, listed and unlisted printing flaws, non-consistent printing errors, perforation errors, booklet panes, perforation setting pieces and many other interesting pieces. mostly unmounted o.g. but some lightly mounted/used examples within. An extensive collection full of gems perfect for an avid King George VI collector. Estimated at £2,000 – 2,500, the item sold for £4,560 including fees.
• Lot 36 – 1939 2s6d “Arms” high value photographic proof. Very fine proof in black on photographic card of issued design (30x35mm) mounted on thick card, with manuscript “1937” and measurements by designer Edmund Dulac. Very rare Exhibition item. Ex Dulac Archive. Estimated at £800 – 1,000, the item sold for £7,200 including fees.
• Lot 37 – 1939-48 2s6d-£1 "Arms" High Values (SG476/8c). Very fine unmounted o.g. set of six imperforate (£1 brown perforated) marginal imprimaturs, each with a "BPMA" handstamp on reverse. Scarce. Estimated at £6,000 – 8,000, the item sold for £15,600 including fees.
• Lot 123 – 1951 Festival High Value Head Plate Die Proof. Very fine head plate die proof (24x31mm) for the 10s & £1 “Festival“ high values printed on thin card with manuscript annotation “19031A“, endorsed at right “Cracked Die”. Very rare. Estimated at £1, 000 – 1,200, the item sold for £2,400 including fees. 
• Lot 193 – 1940 1d Scarlet (Bigwood Unissued Essays). Superb unmounted o.g. imperforate set of two printed on unwatermarked gummed paper, with and without "Swastika 1940" overprint. Very scarce. Light bend at top of overprint example. Estimated at £1,200 – 1,500, the item sold for £2,640 including fees.