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Southern Nigeria

Catalogue 287: British West Africa – The ‘BESANÇON’ Collection (part I)
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  • Lot# : 5303 Southern Nigeria

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    Military Mail 1901: OHMS envelope endorsed at top "Obiom Expeditionary Force. In Obiom Country. No Stamps available" to Southampton countersigned by sender "Geo. Gray, Lieut. R.N." at lower left, struck with "OLD CALABAR RIVER" cds (Feb 9) with 'Plymouth / 620' duplex of entry (March 2) at right in black. Slightly folded at right for Exhibit display. Rare.rnProvenance: Collection Col. J.R. Danson, RL, London, 10 March 1971, ex lot 1830.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 440 CHF

    Lot# : 5304 Southern Nigeria

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    1902: Aro Field Force, a stampless envelope to Dundee, Scotland endorsed "On Active Service, Stamps not obtainable" and, at lower left, "P.R. / M.O. A.F.F. Equetta" (P. Rattray, Medical Officer, Aro Field Force) struck with "OPOBO RIVER" code A cds (Feb 26) in black. Reverse with Dundee arrival cds (April 2). A fine and scarce cover - the Aro Campaign lasted from 15 November 1901 until 23 March 1902.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 380 CHF

    Lot# : 5305 Southern Nigeria

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    1899 (Dec 11): De La Rue Essay for proposed ½ d. value utilising imperforate Key-Plate design in dull green with hand-painted "SOUTHERN NIGERIA" in green on Chinese white background and Duty Plate "½d." picked out in Chinese white on emerald green background, on Appendix Sheet dated "Dec 11.99, Southern Nigeria" at top in manuscript. Unadopted, illustrated in the "De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP on page 6066. A delightful and unique Essay.
    Starting bid : 2,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 3,400 CHF

    Lot# : 5306 Southern Nigeria

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    1900 (Oct 8): De La Rue Master Die Proof for the vignette only, printed in black on glazed white card, dated "8 OCT. 00" in blue and struck with "BEFORE / HARDENING" in black. Rare and very fine.rnProvenance: Collection Col. J.R. Danson, RL, London, 10 March 1971, ex lot 1836.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 350 CHF
    Hammer price : 380 CHF

    Lot# : 5307 Southern Nigeria

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    1900: De La Rue Die Proof for the vignette / head-plate with uncleared surround, printed on thick surface glazed white gummed paper (53 x 58 mm.), struck in deep green with notch mark at left of frame and partially so at right. A rare and most attractive Proof.rn 
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 400 CHF

    Lot# : 5308 Southern Nigeria

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    1900: De La Rue Die Proof for the vignette / head-plate with uncleared surround and horizontal notch marks at sides, printed in black on surface glazed white card. Some light aging but a rare and most attractive Proof.rnProvenance: Collection Col. J.R. Danson, RL, London, 10 March 1971, ex lot 1836.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 460 CHF

    Lot# : 5309 Southern Nigeria

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    1900: De La Rue Die Proof for the vignette / head-plate with uncleared surround, printed on thick surface glazed white card (62 x 60 mm.), struck in black. Some soiling but rare.rnProvenance: Collection W.C. Hinde; Collection Col. J.R. Danson, RL, London, 10 March 1971, ex lot 1836.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 500 CHF

    Lot# : 5310 Southern Nigeria

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    1900 (Nov 2): De La Rue Appendix sheet, somewhat truncated from the illustration in the "De La Rue Collection" in three large pieces but showing the imperforate bicoloured Colour Trails of ther ½ d. value (9) as selected for the complete set, with red ink tick alongside each of the colours and signed off in red ink "3/11/00" with at top "Colours chosen ticked red". The proposed 6 d., 1 s, and 10 s. values being removed from Appendix B (see illustrations in the "De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP on pages 6070 and 6071). A remarkable group and unique as such: illustration of the original page accompanies the lot.
    Starting bid : 1,200 CHF
    Hammer price : 4,600 CHF

    Lot# : 5311 Southern Nigeria

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    1900 (Nov 2): De La Rue Colour Trials (32), all denominated with the ½ d. values, imperforate on watermark Crown CA paper, the three album pages with the Trials arranged by frame colours most closely associated with the issued set of nine stamps with ½ d. (3), 1 d. (3), 2 d. (2), 4 d., 6 d. (4), 1 s. (3), 2 s. 6 d. (3), 5 s. (3) and 10 s. (4) with a further 6 Trials with frames colours not utilised.  All hinged onto black card for display, a remarkable and beautiful assembly for the connoisseur.rnProvenance: Collections Porter, W.C. Hinde, Whitfield and Col. J.R. Danson (ex lots 1837-1839).
    Starting bid : 1,750 CHF
    Hammer price : 4,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5312 Southern Nigeria

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    Printed by De La Rue 1901/02: First Issue, the unused set of nine values from ½ d. to 10 s. black & purple on yellow, all overprinted SPECIMEN in black at base, fresh colours and generally fine, large part og. Scarce Gi = £ 225.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 110 CHF

    Lot# : 5313 Southern Nigeria

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    1901 (March): The first definitive set of nine values, wmk. Crown CA, all in vertical pair, overprinted SPECIMEN in black, 1 d. slightly suffused, generally fine, large part og. A scarce set in multiples Gi = £ 500.
    Starting bid : 220 CHF
    Hammer price : 320 CHF

    Lot# : 5314 Southern Nigeria

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    1901/02: De La Rue Colour Trials for the ½ d. value (4), all imperforate on gummed watermarked paper, with issued colour of black & pale green, and unissued colours of black & red-brown (utilised for the issued 2 d. value), black & deep brown (as utilised for the 2 s. 6 d. value), black & purple on yellow (as utilised for the 10 s. value), fresh and very fine, large part og. A rare group (4).rnNote: For similar imperforate Colour Trials see "The De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP., pages 6070 and 6071.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 600 CHF

    Lot# : 5315 Southern Nigeria

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    1901/02: 1 d. sepia & carmine, a single example and a vertical strip of three used on 1902 registered cover to London tied by oval "Registered / Old Calabar" datestamps (Dec 3). Reverse with 'Southern Nigeria' crest in black and "Registered / Bonny" oval transit datestamp (Dec 6). Correctly rated (2 d. postage + 2 d. registration) and a scarce commercial usage.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 240 CHF

    Lot# : 5316 Southern Nigeria

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    1900 (April 3): De La Rue photographic Essay for proposed 10 shilling value, using the von Angeli Victoria head-plate, imperforate on card (89 x 114 mm.) marked "B" at upper left, dated in manuscript "April 3rd, 1900" with "Dupl." at base; the design without "Postage" or "Revenue". Illustrated in the "De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP on page 6067, this example showing extensive hand-painted background in greyish-blue and black. The sole recorded example although two should exist, the other would have been sent to the Crown Agents, who returned card 'B'  on June 27, 1900 with the comment "designs for stamps of a generally similar character to be produced by the Surface instead of copper-plate process" and the words "Postage" and "Revenue" to be introduced.
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,800 CHF

    Lot# : 5317 Southern Nigeria

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    1900 (Aug 11): De La Rue composite Essay for the 10 s. value, with mauve head-plate inserted within indigo-purple imperforate frame showing country legend, Duty Plates now in both lower corners and "Postage" and "Revenue" moved to base, the Essay marked "H" at top left and dated at top right "Aug 11th 1900" with "Dupl." at base. Illustrated in the "De La Rue Collection" on page 6069. This was the last 'new' issue to be specifically designed for Queen Victoria. Rare and most attractive.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,400 CHF

    Lot# : 5318 Southern Nigeria

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    1900 (Aug 11): De La Rue composite Essay for the 10 s. value, with grey-black head-plate inserted within violet on red imperforate frame showing country legend, Duty Plates now in both lower corners and "Postage" and "Revenue" moved to base, the Essay marked "FA" at top left and dated at top right "Aug 11th 1900" with "Dupl." at base. Illustrated in the "De La Rue Collection" on page 6069 - the Crown Agent's letter to DLR of August 21st stated "that a penny stamp with black centre and bright red borders would meet the requirements of the Postal Union". Slight surface scuffs at lower left and right but rare and most attractive.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,600 CHF

    Lot# : 5319 Southern Nigeria

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    1901/02: De La Rue Essay for the 10 s. value, an imperforate composite Artist's Essay with head-plate vignette in blue-green, overlaid by frame in yellow-green with dark green oval surround being hand-painted, applied to card (90 x 114 mm.) lettered 'E' in black at upper left and dated "Aug 11th 1900" in manuscript at upper right. A similar 'duplicate' example is illustrated in "The De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP., on page 6069. Splendid and of great rarity.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 18 Dec 1996, lot 2156.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 1,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,800 CHF

    Lot# : 5320 Southern Nigeria

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    1901 (March): 10 s. black & purple on yellow, an unused block of four, marginal from base of sheet with Plate No. '1' in margin, fine large part og. with lower pair unmounted og. Scarce, just 2'880 stamps issued Gi = £ 600+.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 900 CHF

    Lot# : 5321 Southern Nigeria

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    1902: De La Rue Master Die Proof for the Edward VII design with uncleared surrounds and black Duty Plates, printed in black on glazed white card, dated "12 JUN. 02" in blue and struck with "BEFORE / HARDENING" in black. Fresh and very fine.rnProvenance: Collection Whitfield.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 460 CHF

    Lot# : 5322 Southern Nigeria

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    1903/04: De La Rue Colour Trial Proofs (4), imperforate on chalk surfaced watermarked and gummed paper with ½ d. value in purple & orange-brown and three for the 2½ d. value in grey & ultramarine, dull green & ultramarine and violet & ultramarine; all fresh and very fine, large part og. A very rare group.rnNote: For similar imperforate Colour Trials see "The De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton RDP., pages 6075 and 6076.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,200 CHF

    Lot# : 5323 Southern Nigeria

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    Printed by De La Rue 1903/04: Second Issue, the unused set of eleven values from ½ d. to £ 1 green & violet, the 1 d. value with suffused ink, all overprinted SPECIMEN in black horizontally at base, fresh colours and generally fine, large part og. Scarce Gi = £ 325.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 180 CHF

    Lot# : 5324 Southern Nigeria

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    1903/04: Definitive set of eleven values to £ 1, wmk. Crown CA, all in matching top marginal example with Plate Number '1' in margin, the 6 d. with minuted black spot on one perf., one or two with typical slight aging on margin only, fresh and very fine, stamps unmounted og. A rare set, just 1'080 of the £ 1 issued Gi = £ 675.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 800 CHF

    Lot# : 5325 Southern Nigeria

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    1902: De La Rue composite Essay for Edward VII ½ d. value, with head-plate in brownish-black and frame taken from a Die Proof in black on glazed card with 'perforations' drawn in pencil; inset into small frame marked "A" at top left and dated "March 21-1902" at top right. Signed off by Sir William Mercer of the Crown Agents as "Approved". The design approved, however the head-plate was to change to the one prepared by Emil Fuchs on the issued stamps. Some soiling but an immensely rare working Proof, unique.rnProvenance: Collection W.C. Hinde.
    Starting bid : 1,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,400 CHF

    Lot# : 5326 Southern Nigeria

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    1903/04: ½ d., 1 d., 2 d., 4 d. and 6 d. all used on 1 d. pink postal stationery envelope (212 x 102 mm.) and slightly re-folded for display at left (H&G 1b), all cancelled by "Registered / Forcados" datestamps (Dec 7, 1903) in black. Oval 'R' at left and reverse with London cds (Dec 28) and Geesemunder arrival (Dec 29). Slight overall aging but the envelope is very scarce in used condition and a most attractive cover.
    Starting bid : 160 CHF
    Hammer price : 160 CHF

    Lot# : 5327 Southern Nigeria

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    1902: De La Rue Die Proof for the 2½ d. value, frame only, printed in black on glazed white card, dated "20 NOV. 03" in blue and struck with "BEFORE / HARDENING" in black. Fresh and very fine.rnProvenance: Collection W.C. Hinde.rn 
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 250 CHF

    Lot# : 5328 Southern Nigeria

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    1903 (Dec 14): De La Rue Colour Trial for the 2½ d. value, Imperforaate on wmk. Crown CA paper, printed in deep violet & ultramarine, fresh and fine, large part og. Rare, probably emanated from the duplicate Appendix sheet.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 440 CHF

    Lot# : 5329 Southern Nigeria

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    1903 (Dec 14): De La Rue Appendix sheet for the new addly 2½ d. value, dated at top "14th Dec 1903", with Imperforate Colour Trials (3) on wmk. Crown CA paper, grey & ultramarine (with "Approved 17.12" and signed Sir William Mercer). second in deep violet & ultramarine and third in dull green & ultramarine. Illustrated in the "De La Rue Collection" edited by Frank Walton on page 6075. A fine and rare sheet.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,800 CHF

    Lot# : 5330 Southern Nigeria

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    1902 (April 9): De La Rue Colour Trials for the Edward VII 1903 issue but utilising Queen Victoria 10 s. designs, prepared for the proposed £1 value, four examples, imperforate on wmk. Crown CA paper: printed in green & carmine, green & violet-brown, green & violet (as selected for the £1 value) and grey & violet; fresh and fine, large part og. For similar examples see the Appendix sheet in 'The De La Rue Collection' edited by Frank Walton RDP. Rare.rnNote: The Queen Victoria 1901 set did not contain a £1 value thus the need for the above Trials, the Colour Trials executed for the Victorian issue utilised the ½d. value.rnProvenance: Two ex collection Col. J.R. Danson, RL, London, 10 March 1971, lots 1840, 1842.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,100 CHF

    Lot# : 5331 Southern Nigeria

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    1902: De La Rue Die Proof for the £ 1 value, frame only, printed in black on glazed white card, dated "21 JUN. 02" in blue and struck with "BEFORE / HARDENING" in black. Fresh and very fine.rnProvenance: Collection W.C. Hinde.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 340 CHF

    Lot# : 5332 Southern Nigeria

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    1903/04: £ 1 green & violet, wmk. Crown CA, an unused example of fine fresh colour, superb large part og. A scarce stamp Gi = £ 475.
    Starting bid : 180 CHF
    Hammer price : 180 CHF

    Lot# : 5333 Southern Nigeria

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    1903/04: £ 1 green & violet, wmk. Crown CA, an unused block of four, marginal from base of sheet with Plate Number '1' in margin, centred to right, horizontal bend on lower pair but of fine fresh colour, large part og., lower pair unmounted og. A very rare multiple, just 1'080 stamps issued Gi = £ 1'900+.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,700 CHF

    Lot# : 5334 Southern Nigeria

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    1903/04: Sperati Forgery of the £ 1 green & violet, a fine 'Die Proof' in sage green & violet, signed "Jean de Sperati" at base; handstamped "Sperati / Reproduction" in violet on reverse. Rare.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 320 CHF

    Lot# : 5335 Southern Nigeria

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    1904/09: Head Die A, the unused set of twelve values from ½ d. to £ 1 green & violet, with additional 2 d. pale grey & chestnut (Die B), all fresh and fine, large part og. A rare set Gi = £ 550.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 200 CHF

    Lot# : 5336 Southern Nigeria

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    1904/08: Definitive set of twelve values wmk. Multiple Crown CA, the basic set of twelve to £ 1, together with additional mexamples of ½ d. (3), 1 d., 2 d. (2), 4 d. (2), 6 d. (3), 1 s. and £ 1; all twenty-five stamps marginal from top of sheet showing Plate Number '1' in margin, generally very fine, large part or unmounted og. A charming pair of pages and difficult to replicate Gi = £ 875+.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 750 CHF

    Lot# : 5337 Southern Nigeria

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    1904/08: 1 d. grey-black & carmine, a used example on 1907 cover to Exeter, lightly cancelled on despatch, carried on the S.S. Jebba of the African Steamship Co. which ran aground in fog at Bolt Tail on the South Devon Coast on March 18th. Struck with "SALVED FROM / S S JEBBA" in violet and reverse resealed with marginal selvedge, the adhesive heavily cancelled at Exeter (March 20) and readdressed to Wells. Reverse with 'Bath Station Office' cds of the same day. Scarce.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 175 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 5338 Southern Nigeria

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    Third Issue 1904/09: De La Rue Die Proof for the 3 d. value, a 'Frame Only' Die Proof printed in black on glazed white card, endorsed 'BEFORE / HARDENING' in black and dated at left "15 APR 07" in blue. The 3 d. value was added later to the 1904 issue, not being released until August 1907. Scarce and very fine.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 200 CHF

    Lot# : 5339 Southern Nigeria

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    1907: De La Rue Die Proof for the new 3 d. value, frame only, printed in black on glazed white card, dated "15 APR. 07" in blue and struck with "BEFORE / HARDENING" in black; sold together with issued 3 d. orange-brown & bright purple overprinted SPECIMEN in black, large part og.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 5340 Southern Nigeria

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    1904/09: £ 1 green & violet, wmk. Multiple Crown CA, Head Die B on chalky peper, an unused block of four, of fine colour, large part og with lower pair unmounted og. A rare multiple Gi = £ 1'300+.rnProvenance: Collection Porter.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,200 CHF

    Lot# : 5341 Southern Nigeria

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    1907/11: Colour Change set of twelve values unused, wmk. Multiple Crown CA, with ½ d. grey-green with head Die A, balance of the set Head Die B, all overprinted SPECIMEN in black, slight rub on 6 d., otherwise fresh and very fine, large part og. Scarce Gi = £ 400.
    Starting bid : 140 CHF
    Hammer price : 200 CHF

    Lot# : 5342 Southern Nigeria

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    1907/11: Definitive set of twelve values, Die B, wmk. Multiple Crown CA, ½ d. green to £ 1 purple & black on red, also including the 1907 3 d. orange-brown & bright purple; all overprinted SPECIMEN horizontally in black, the 6 d. value rubbed otherwise majority fresh and fine with large part og. Scarce Gi = £ 420+.
    Starting bid : 120 CHF
    Hammer price : 180 CHF

    Lot# : 5343 Southern Nigeria

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    1907/11: £ 1 purple & black on red, wmk. Multiple Crown CA, an unused block of four of fine fresh colour, superb, large part og. A delightful multiple Gi = £ 1'000+.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5344 Southern Nigeria

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    1912: De La Rue Die Proof for the vignette / head-plate only, printed in black on glazed white card, dated "27 FEB. 12" in blue and struck with "BEFORE / HARDENING" in black. A fine and scarce Proof.rnProvenance: Collection W.C. Hinde.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 320 CHF

    Lot# : 5345 Southern Nigeria

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    1912: De La Rue Die Proof for the 1 d. value, frame only, printed in black on glazed white card, dated "3 MAY. 12" in blue and struck with "AFTER / HARDENING" in black. A fine and scarce Proof.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 250 CHF

    Lot# : 5346 Southern Nigeria

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    1912: Definitive set of twelve values, wmk. Multiple Crown CA, ½ d. green to £ 1 purple & black on red, all locally overprinted SPECIMEN diagonally in violet (Samuel type SN1). Fresh colours, a few minor imperfections but generally very fine, large part og. A delightful and rare set.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 700 CHF

    Lot# : 5347 Southern Nigeria

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    1912: £ 1 purple & black on red, wmk. Multiple Crown CA, an unused block of four, fresh colour, large part og. with lower pair unmounted og. Scarce and fine Gi = £ 800.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 650 CHF

    Lot# : 5348 Southern Nigeria

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    1902: De La Rue Proof for the proposed 1 d. postal stationery envelope, embossed in vermilion oval with "♚ / ONE PENNY / SOUTHERN NIGERIA POSTAGE" printed on cream thick vertically laid paper (34 x 37 mm.). Unadopted and rare.rnProvenance: Collection Whitfield.
    Starting bid : 350 CHF
    Hammer price : 650 CHF

    Lot# : 5349 Southern Nigeria

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    1902: De La Rue Proof for the proposed 1 d. postal stationery card attached to DLR Appendix sheet dated "21 March 1902" (the same day the adhesive stamps were approved), with legend "POST CARD / SOUTHERN NIGERIA" with coloured pink wash where the 1 d. indicia would be situated; signed and "Approved" by Sir William Mercer in ink. Sold together with the issued card and another overprinted SPECIMEN in black. The Essay with light vertical crease but exceptional and unique.
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,400 CHF
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