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The much-anticipated Stamps and Covers of the World Auction, held by Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s on January 14-15, 2025, has proven to be a remarkable start to the philatelic year. This two-day auction showcased over 1,200 exceptional lots, drawing significant interest and achieving impressive results across a diverse range of philatelic items. Below, we highlight the standout lots that achieved the highest hammer prices, as well as other significant results.
Top Achievers
Lot 166 - 1851 Canada 12d Black on Laid Paper – Hammer £13,000
The 1851 Canada 12d black, known as "The Black Empress of Canada," is one of the rarest and most iconic postage stamps in Canadian philatelic history. Featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria based on Alfred Edward Chalon’s artwork, this stamp was part of Canada’s first issue in 1851, printed in New York. Only 51,000 stamps were produced, but low demand led to many being destroyed. Today, fewer than 130 examples are known to exist, making it an extraordinary rarity.
This specific example, catalogued as SG 4 and Scott 3, is an imperforate 12d black on laid paper with margins ranging from very close to large. Lightly cancelled with part concentric rings in black, the stamp retains a fine appearance and sound condition, making it highly collectible. It also boasts provenance from the esteemed John Foxbridge collection, sold in 1987, and is listed in the Siegel Census (3-CAN-33).
This lot surpassed expectations to achieve a hammer price of £13,000. It remains a prized classic, embodying the history and prestige of early Canadian philately.
Lot 530 - India Telegraphs – Hammer £12,000
Lot 530, a collection of 11 values of India Telegraph stamps from the 1869–78 series. Featuring vertical blocks of 16 (1a to 2r8a) or 8 (5r to 50r), these stamps bore the "CANCELLED" overprint (Samuel types T7 and T8). Retained from the De La Rue archives, these blocks showcase plate numbers, current numbers, and “GOVERNMENT OF INDIA” inscriptions, preserving invaluable details about the printing process and plate evolution.
The condition of this unique assembly was exceptional, with vibrant colours and many stamps in unmounted mint state. Though some values remained partially affixed to original archive ledger pages, this only added to their historical significance. Representing 20% of the original sheets, these blocks are the largest known examples from the colour standard sheets of the era.
Lot 553 - I.F.S. Las Bela Hand-Drawn Essay – Hammer £9,500
An extraordinary highlight from the auction was lot 553, a hand-drawn essay for the first Las Bela stamp. Created in November 1896 by Captain Michael Tighe, this ½a Type 1 design, executed in pencil and black ink on woven paper, is an exceptional piece of philatelic history. Measuring 49x38mm and signed by Tighe, the essay is affixed to a letter he penned in May 1897, detailing the creation of the stamp during his tenure as Political Agent in Southern Baluchistan. The lot also included archival annotations, adding to its rarity and historical significance.
With an original estimate of £1,000–£1,500, the essay captivated bidders, ultimately achieving a hammer price of £9,500, having remained in the Tighe family’s possession for over 120 years.
Notable Mentions
- Lot 66: Mint and Used Collection, Great Britain Featuring an extraordinary range of early British issues, including 25 four-margin examples of the 1840 1d Black, this lot achieved a hammer price of £8,000 (estimate: £2,500–£3,050).
- Lot 1050: Vast Revenue Stock, Gary Ryan Collection An A-to-Z collection of revenue stamps housed in five cartons realised £7,000, well above its estimate of £4,000–£5,000.
- Lot 627: Iraq British Occupation Cover This rarity from 1917, franked with a selection of individually tied stamps, achieved £6,000 (estimate: £1,000–£1,500).
- Lot 48: Great Britain £1.50 Castle Printing Plate An unusual and weighty item from 1988 surpassed its estimate of £250–£300 to achieve £3,500, highlighting its appeal to thematic collectors.
The Stamps and Covers of the World Auction reaffirmed Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s reputation for curating exceptional sales. With strong results across diverse categories and robust participation from bidders worldwide, this event signals a vibrant year ahead for philately.
Upcoming Auctions
Don’t miss upcoming philatelic sales, visit www.sgbaldwins.com for details.
