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Stamps & Covers of Great Britain, set for 25 February 2025 at 10:30 GMT, promises to be a highlight of the philatelic calendar. Featuring an exceptional selection of rare and historically significant material, this sale offers collectors a unique opportunity to acquire some of the finest British stamps and covers available on the market.
Lot 523 - SGO9 1890 5s Rose (I.R. Official)
Leading the sale is the remarkable SGO9 1890 5s Rose (I.R. Official)—a superb unmounted mint (U/M) bottom right-hand corner marginal block of eight (lettered ME-NH). This departmental rarity is a major exhibition piece and an extraordinary find for any specialist in Official issues.
Scott Bradley, Head of GB, remarks, “The 1890 5s Rose I.R. Official is a standout piece, representing the height of desirability for collectors. Rarely does such a pristine and historically significant item come to market. It’s truly an unmissable opportunity.” Estimated at £35,000–£45,000, this lot is expected to be fiercely contested.
Prior to 1882, the Inland Revenue operated with two main head offices—one in London and another in Edinburgh—both of which enjoyed a ‘free franking’ privilege for official correspondence. With the rapid industrial growth in the north of England, the Manchester provincial office sought similar head office postal privileges. However, this request was denied outright. Instead, an alternative solution was reached: the introduction of I.R. Official stamps, effectively extending head office franking privileges to Inland Revenue and tax collector offices nationwide. Initially, usage was restricted by the Post Circular of 26 September 1882 to mail exchanged between provincial offices within England (excluding London and Wales). However, this proved impractical, leading to an extension of use to Scotland on 17 April 1883 and eventually London on 29 May 1883. These departmental overprints were never intended for public sale in unused condition. While no civil servant releasing them committed a legal offence, the lucrative demand from collectors led to a shadow trade. By 1896, the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue took decisive action to curb this practice by introducing stricter regulations, which significantly limited the availability of unused examples. This context makes the SGO9 1890 5s Rose (I.R. Official) an exceptional rarity, offering an extraordinary glimpse into the complex history of Official philately.
Auction Highlights
Lot 4 - GB 1840 (COVER) SG.
The GB 1840 "Buchanan" Prepaid Private Lettersheet is another rare offering, featuring a fine example of the second-type prepaid lettersheet, dated "7.6.40" and cancelled by a red Atherstone cds (JU.8.1840). Addressed to Ashby de la Zouch and signed by Buchanan, this lot carries an estimate of £4,000–£5,000.
Lot 5 - GB SGPE5 1840 1d "House of Lords" Envelope. VFU
Another remarkable item is the GB SGPE5 1840 1d “House of Lords” Envelope, a very fine used example of this rare parliamentary envelope, addressed to Kettering and cancelled by a London "PAID" Crowned Circle datestamp (JA.29.1840). Parliamentary envelopes were valid only from the introduction of the penny post (January 1840) until the issuance of the Penny Black (May 1840), making them particularly scarce. This item is estimated at £4,000–£5,000.
Lot 29 - 1840 1d Black Pl.1a (Showing significant plate wear). Superb wrapper sent within Kent from Rochester to Sandwich
Collectors of early covers will appreciate the 1840 1d Black Pl.1a, a superb wrapper sent within Kent, from Rochester to Sandwich, bearing a large four-margin 1d Grey-black Pl.1a (lettered IL). The stamp is tied by a pale red Maltese Cross, with a Rochester datestamp (NO.10.1840) on the reverse. Showing significant plate wear and in spectacular exhibition-quality condition, this lot is estimated at £800–£1,000.
Lot 62 - GB 1840 (Mint) SG2
For those seeking classic mint material, the GB 1840 (Mint) SG2 is a highlight, featuring an exceptionally fine and fresh lightly mounted unused o.g. left-hand marginal horizontal strip of three (lettered IA-IC) with part of the sheet inscription “D SIDE of the Letter.” Accompanied by a BPA certificate (1989) and with a catalogue value exceeding £47,500++, this showpiece is estimated at £12,000–£14,000.
Lot 109 - GB 1841 (Mint) SG7
A particularly outstanding lot in this sale is the GB 1841 (Mint) SG7, a superb unused original gum (o.g.) four-margin bottom left-hand corner marginal plate block of 16 (lettered QA-TD), featuring full deckle edge selvedge, plate number "10," and inscription. Major re-entry on TA and "P converted into R by hand engraving" along the R row. Accompanied by a BPA certificate (2013), Spec. AS69/c, and estimated at £12,000–£15,000.
Lot 375 - Great Britain 1911 (UNUSED) SG320
The Great Britain 1911 (Unused) SG320 offers a superb unused o.g. right-hand marginal block of four, printed at Somerset House. Impeccably centered, with only light evidence of hinging on the top two stamps, this is an exceptional quality example for this issue. Estimate: £5,500–£6,500.
Lot 400 - GB 1912 (Mint) SG371var
A fascinating rarity in this auction is the GB 1912 (Mint) SG371var, a very fine unused imperforate colour trial block of four, printed on gummed watermarked paper. This unique piece, believed to be the only block in private hands, is accompanied by a 1992 BPA cert and estimated at £1,900–£2,000.
With such an extensive and diverse selection, Stamps & Covers of Great Britain is set to be an unmissable event for collectors. For additional information, images, or assistance with bidding, please contact our specialists. We look forward to welcoming you to the auction and wish you the best of luck with your bids.
