Philatelic Files

Collectors occasionally have an opportunity to acquire extremely rare, expensive stamps by choosing an example with some fault (or worse), or a fiscal cancel. But this is always a difficult compromise.

Another option is to look for elusive but at times less expensive Specimen stamps. We recently acquired four early high value stamps with Specimen overprints, each offered at a fraction of the price for an un-overprinted mint copy.

Specimen stamps such as these are highly collectible due to their scarcity and value. The Specimen overprint was used to mark sample copies of issues that were sent to local postal authorities for reference, rather than for postal use. Condition for Specimens can be dreadful, as they were sent out to various Colonial outposts, but these gems are an exception.

Each value in a given issue has the same number of Specimen examples,  around 400 for the King George V issues. The printing figure is the same regardless of the scarcity of the underlying stamp.

This makes every Specimen stamp equally scarce, and often prices for Specimen copies of lower values fetch higher prices than more common un-overprinted copies.  The situation is reversed for very scarce high value stamps such as those pictured above.

These stamps are an excellent way to acquire a rarity otherwise out of the price range of most collectors.

 

In our last post we mentioned the WWII German Propaganda Forgery of the KGVI Coronation issue.  We also have a set of 6 propaganda forgeries of the 1937 KGVI issues of Great Britain, SG 462-467. In these forgeries the cross on King George VI’s crown is replaced by a Star of David, and a hammer and sickle appear in the flower at top left.

Here’s a little gem we are admiring in the latest group of additions. The New Hebrides 1972 issue 5 Centimes color error, with map same color as ship. This is an attractive, inexpensive corner margin plate number copy.

Our stock regularly includes a broad selection of the King George V Seahorse type. The Irish seahorses have great visual appeal and are more affordable than Great Britain examples, even in pristine condition or in multiples. Here are two blocks currently in stock. Note that the 5 Shilling also features the ‘R’ over ‘SE’ overprint variety.

Speaking of Ireland overprints, here are two more blocks worthy of note, each with accent missing varieties.

And lastly, we thought we would highlight an item from our small and carefully chosen selection of covers. This interesting 1925 example from Tristan da Cunha features Cachet III (SG C3), a GB 2d Postage Due stamp and Durban C.D.S. & backstamp.

As long as they are still available, all of these items can be viewed on our Online Price List by clicking on the images in this post.

If you are a specialty collector and would like to hear more about our offerings in your area of interest, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

We have just completed an update of our online price list with a selection of new material in British Commonwealth Stamps. Among these new additions there are a few notable items worth special mention. Click on any image to go view the listing on our online price list.

Here is Cape of Good Hope Mafeking Scott 179 SG20, featuring the portrait of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting Movement and hero of the Siege of Mafeking.
This key stamp for collectors of the Scout theme is far more readily found in used condition, and collectors who prefer a mint copy often despair of completing this section.  This exceptional example offers the opportunity to obtain the stamp in Mint Lightly Hinged condition, with excellent color, and no compromise on quality.

Overprints on India King George VI issues in good condition are increasingly sought after.  We are offering the Pakistan 1947 issue, Scott and SG numbers 1-19, in Mint Never Hinged condition with unusually fresh gum.

We have added a large number of items in Leeward Islands. Included among them are new additions to our selection of plate flaws and multiples of the One Pound value:   (update: first three items have SOLD)

This WWII Propaganda forgery of the Great Britain Coronation issue, with a portrait of Stalin in place of the visage of H.M. King George VI, is a reminder of how stamps of the Empire are historical documents. 

For the rest of our latest additions, see our Recent Acquisitions list.

Recently added to the Featured Items on our Home Page is a beautiful example of one of our favorite issues of the Commonwealth, the stunning New South Wales 1897 Diamond Jubilee Charity issue. This pair is overprinted ‘Specimen’ in red ink, and is Never Hinged. These stamps really must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. A scan cannot do justice to the shiny metallic gold ink on the 2s6d, nor to the large format of both stamps.   Price: $295.

Just added to our website, a nice array of New Republic stamps.  Issued in 1886 and 1887, the printings are handstamped, dated, and sometimes embossed, on either blue-granite or yellow paper.  These issues are hard to find and interestingly varied.  You can view our full selection on our Online Price List by clicking here or on the stamps below.

Newly Added Stamps on our Website

Our most recent update was completed today, September 6^th.  One exciting addition to our list is the rare Mesopotamia (Iraq) Scott N9 SG8, of which only 59 copies were printed.  This mint example is Lightly Hinged with a B.P.A. certificate.  The stamp can be viewed directly from our Home Page, along with our other Featured Items.

You can view a complete list of our newest additions by clicking on the Recent Acquisitions link.

 

Visit Our Huge Online Price List

Our Online Price List changes regularly, so please visit often.  Both specialized and general collectors can find listed individual stamps and sets there to add to collections in all areas of British Commonwealth philately.