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Lot# 6292 - Auction 244-249

  • Lot# : 6292 Transvaal

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    Typographed by M.J. Viljoen in Pretoria 1870 (May 10): 6 d. ultramarine, coarse impression, on thicker hard paper, fine roulette 15½-16, an unused block of four showing variety: "third stamp both vertically and horizontally tête-bêche", from the right pane positions 17-18/25-26, with clear rouletting all round, sensible precautionary hinges, one or two tone spots but of fine colour and large part yellow streaky original gum. There are five recorded pairs, of which three are housed in museum collections and one is in the collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with one used pair recorded. This block being unique as a larger multiple, and the sole unused block extant. A great rarity of both Transvaal, South African and British Colonial philately, unique to collectors. Cert. BPA (2019) Gi = £ 35'300+.rnProvenance: Collection E. J. Nankivell; Collection Alberto Philippe (1906); Collection G.H. Worthington (collecction sold intact to Caspary); Collection Alfred H. Caspary, Harmers, New York, 24-26 Feb 1958, lot 843; Collection Ernest Hunt RDP; Collection Major Harold Criddle, Robson Lowe, London 25 Feb 1992, lot 57.rnrnFurther reference: Major Harold Criddle article in the 'London Philatelist' (Volume 90, Nov-Dec 1981). Illustrated in 'The Tête-Bêche' Varieties of Transvaal by Alan Drysdall and Major Harold Criddle on page 14.
    Starting bid : 10,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 22,000 CHF