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Niger Coast Protectorate

The BESANÇON Collection (part II) – British West Africa
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  • Lot# : 5215 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Niger Coast Protectorate / Oil Rivers 1892/99: Great Britain Jubilee 2½ d. purple on blue and 3 d. purple on yellow, used on 1894 registered cover (with additional 1 d. Late Fee) to Birmingham tied by bold strikes of "BENIN-RIVER" code C circular datestamps in red (Jan 1) with information strike above and large "R" for Registration. Oval framed 'Registered / Liverpool' datestamp of transit (Feb 9) in black and reverse with Birmingham arrival. Minor horizontal bend well away from the adhesives, a famous and magnificent cover Gi = £ 2'500 off cover.rnProvenance: Collection Colonel J. R. Danson, RL, London, 10 March 1971, lot 1613; Collection John Sacher, Spink, London, 12 Nov 2009, lot 437.
    Starting bid : 5,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 5,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5216 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Niger Coast Protectorate / Oil Rivers 1892/99: Great Britain Jubilee 2½ d. purple on blue and 6 d. purple on red, used on large piece of registered envelope each tied by fine strikes of "BONNY RIVER" code A circular datestamps (Sept 16, 1891) in black. Attractive and scarce Gi = £ 900+.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 460 CHF

    Lot# : 5217 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Niger Coast Protectorate / Oil Rivers 1892/99: Great Britain Jubilee ½ d. vermilion and 1881 1 d. lilac used together with two strikes of "OLD CALABAR RIVER" code C circular datestamps (Sept 13, 1893) in black and Jubilee 2 d. green & vermilion pair cancelled "OLD CALABAR RIVER" code A circular datestamps (Nov 1893) in black. Scarce Gi = £ 1'775.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 700 CHF

    Lot# : 5218 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Niger Coast Protectorate / Oil Rivers 1892/99: Great Britain Jubilee 2½ d. purple on blue, single and horizontal strip of three used on 1892 Oil Rivers 2 d. blue registered postal stationery envelope (size H2) endorsed 'OHMS' and 'Opobo' in manuscript, addressed to the Chief Cashier at the Bank of England in London, all tied by "OPOBO RIVER" code C circular datestamps (Oct 15) in black. Liverpool transit (Nov 18) and London arrival (Nov 19) in red on obverse; the reverse with 'Inland Registration' blue label somewhat defaced by remains of a red wax seal. Some minor imperfections with two vertical slits (for string) at sides and minor opening fault on reverse, but a splendid and rare cover.rnProvenance: Collection John Sacher, Spink, London, 12 Nov 2009, lot 443.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 1,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,700 CHF

    Lot# : 5219 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers Protectorate 1892 (July 20): Great Britain values overprinted by De La Rue, the complete set of six unused all handstamped "SPECIMEN" in black (GB Type 13), the 1 s. with slightly blunted perfs. at base otherwise fresh and fine, large part og. Scarce Gi = £ 300.rnProvenance: Christies, London, 19 Nov 1986, lot 128.
    Starting bid : 120 CHF
    Hammer price : 120 CHF

    Lot# : 5220 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers Protectorate 1892 (July 20): Great Britain values overprinted by De La Rue, the complete set of six values in unused blocks of four (two are marginal), all handstamped "SPECIMEN" in black (GB Type 9), fresh and fine but for bend and tone spot on gum of 1 s., large part or unmounted og. A rare and most attractive set Gi = £ 1'200+.rnProvenance: Christies, London, 19 Sept 1996, lot 126.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,400 CHF

    Lot# : 5221 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers Protectorate 1892 (July 20): Great Britain values overprinted by De La Rue, the set of six unused with large part og. but the 2 d. with gum showing some red ink, together with two further unused examples of the 2 d. grey-green & carmine: one showing "Broken first 'E' in PROTECTORATE" and the other with "Broken 'E' in RIVERS" part og. Scarce set Gi = £ 240+.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 120 CHF

    Lot# : 5222 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers Protectorate 1892 (July 20): Great Britain Jubilee ½ d. vermilion in a horizontal pair, 1881 1 d. lilac in a horizontal pair and Jubilee 2 d. grey-green & carmine, all used on 1892 OHMS envelope (the inscription deleted in manuscript) to India, all tied by "BONNY RIVER" code C circular datestamps (Dec 7) in black. Fine oval "OIL RIVERS PROTECTORATE / BONNY" datestamp at left in violet and thence via Liverpool (Jan 17, 1893) to Madras, India. Reverse with 'Sea Post Office / A' datestamp (Feb 1) and Belgaum arrival cds. A delightful and spectacular usage.rnProvenance: Collection John Sacher, Spink, London, 12 Nov 2009, lot 446.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,700 CHF

    Lot# : 5223 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers Protectorate 1892 (July 20): Great Britain Jubilee ½ d. vermilion, 2½ d. purple on blue, September 1893 ½ d. in red on diagonally bisected 1 d. lilac and horizontal pair of 'HALF / PENNY' surcharge in green on 2½ d. purple on blue used on registered 1894 cover to Freetown, Sierra Leone all tied by "OLD CALABAR RIVER" code A circular datestamps in black (April 12). Large 'R' at upper left in black with Freetown arrival (April 29) also on obverse of a spectacular provisional usage. Slight file fold away from the adhesives, a most attractive correctly rated cover.rnProvenance: Collection John Sacher, Spink, London, 12 Nov 2009, lot 491.
    Starting bid : 1,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5224 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers Protectorate 1892 (July 20): Great Britain 1881, 1 d. lilac overprinted by De La Rue, a used horizontal strip of three, neatly cancelled by full strikes of scarce "BUGUMA" code A circular datestamps in black (Feb 6, 1894).
    Starting bid : 75 CHF
    Hammer price : 80 CHF

    Lot# : 5225 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers Protectorate 1892 (July 20): Great Britain Jubilee 2 d. grey-green & carmine and 1881 1 d. lilac overprinted by De La Rue, used on small piece with the 1 d. lilac diagonally bisected, tied by both "OLD CALABAR RIVER" cds (Aug 30, 1893) and the bisect also tied by 'Paid / Liverpool / Br. Packet' cds in red (Oct 2) in transit. Attractive and scarce piece.rnCollection E. Ashton-Kinder, RL, London, 15 Feb 1978, lot 115.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 250 CHF

    Lot# : 5226 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers Protectorate 1892 (July 20): Great Britain Jubilee 2 d. grey-green & carmine and 5 d. dull purple & blue, overprinted by De La Rue, used on 1893 registered cover to Plymouth tied by "OLD CALABAR RIVER" code A circular datestamps in black (Dec 11). Large 'R' in black at left and hooded 'Registered / London' transit (Jan 9, 1894) in red. Reverse with Plymouth arrival cds. A scarce and attractive usage.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 220 CHF

    Lot# : 5227 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers Protectorate 1892 (July 20): Great Britain Jubilee 1 s. dull green, overprinted by De La Rue, used on 1895 registered cover to New York, USA tied by "OLD CALABAR RIVER" code B circular datestamp in black (May 6) with oval framed "REGISTERED / OLD CALABAR" datestamp below and large 'R' in black. Liverpool transit (June 14). Reverse with New York arrival (June 22) in violet. An attractive and scarce usage.rnProvenance: Christies, London, 19 Nov 1996, lot 139.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 500 CHF

    Lot# : 5228 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Sept 3): ½+½ d. on Great Britain 1 d. lilac, surcharged in red, an unsevered pair, fresh and very fine unused, large part og. A very rare stamp: only 936 bisected examples were surcharged. Signed Herbert Bloch Gi = £ 500.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 320 CHF

    Lot# : 5229 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Sept 3): ½ d. on Great Britain 1 d. lilac diagonally bisected, a used example in combination with two unsevered pairs, all five stamps with surcharge in red, initially pre-cancelled and tied to 1894 cover to Horsham by "OLD CALABAR RIVER" code A datestamps (March 19) in black. Information strike at lower left above sender's signature of Sir Claude MacDonald, the Governor of the Protectorate. 'Paid / Liverpool / Br. Packet' in red (April 14) and reverse with Horsham arrival cds. Slightest of aging to envelope but a wonderful and rare franking.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 12-13 May 1981, lot 499.
    Starting bid : 600 CHF
    Hammer price : 900 CHF

    Lot# : 5230 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused example with handstamped surcharge, Gibbons Type 3 in violet, with characteristic defective 'F' in HALF, well centred and of fresh colour, fine large part og. Just 120 stamps issued, a rare stamp Gi = £ 550.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 260 CHF

    Lot# : 5231 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused horizontal strip of three with handstamped surcharge, Gibbons Type 3 in violet, two stamps with characteristic defective 'F' in HALF, first stamp variety "Surcharge Inverted", well centred and of fresh colour, fine large part og. Just 120 stamps issued of the normal, an exceedingly rare multiple in beautiful quality. Cert. RPSL (1933) Gi = £ 18'000+.rnProvenance: Collection G.H. Boucher; Collection William Frazer, Spink, London, 23 March 2004, lot 589.
    Starting bid : 3,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 9,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5232 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in green on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 4 handstamped surcharge in green, fresh colour and fine, large part og. Just 120 stamps issued, a scarce stamp. Signed A. Diena Gi = £ 300.
    Starting bid : 120 CHF
    Hammer price : 220 CHF

    Lot# : 5233 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in green on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, a fine used example with Gibbons Type 4 handstamped surcharge in green, cancelled by central strike of "Bonny River" cds (Dec 31, 1893) in black, Just 120 stamps issued, a fine example of a scarce stamp Gi = £ 275.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 20 Dec 1994, lot 1470.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 160 CHF

    Lot# : 5234 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in green on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused se-tenant vertical pair, marginal from right of sheet with Gibbons Type 4 handstamped surcharge in green, lower stamp surcharged Gibbons Type 9 in vermilion, of fresh rich colour and merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Manuscript description in ink on margin but a most attractive and extremely rare multiple. Cert. RPSL (1930) Gi = £ 950++.rnProvenance: Collection George H. Boucher (1930); Collection A.J.P. Baumann, Harmers, London, 22 Sept 1977, lot 281.
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 4,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5235 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 4 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, fresh colour and appearance, large part og. Just 114 stamps issued, a very scarce stamp. Signed A. Diena. Cert. BPA (2021) Gi = £ 1'200.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 460 CHF

    Lot# : 5236 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in carmine on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, a used example with Gibbons Type 4 handstamped surcharge in carmine, tied to small piece by "Old Calabar River" cds (March 16, 1894) in black. Just 120 stamps issued, a scarce stamp Gi = £ 475.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 20 Dec 1994, lot 1460.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : 200 CHF

    Lot# : 5237 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in blue on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 4 handstamped surcharge in blue, fresh and very fine, large part og. A scarce stamp with just 120 issued. Signed A. Diena Gi = £ 450.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : 200 CHF

    Lot# : 5238 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in black on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 4 handstamped surcharge in black being the central stamp in a horizontal strip of three flanked by two examples with Gibbons Type 4 surcharge in blue, all three stamps showing the horizontal line below surcharge almost entirely omitted, fresh and exceptionally fine for this, typical speckles from the red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. An astonishingly rare multiple, just 19 examples believed to exist with the surcharge in black and in a se-tenant multiple probably unique. Cert. BPA (1973) Gi = £ 5'000+.rnProvenance: Collection Renato Mondolfo RDP.rn 
    Starting bid : 3,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 5,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5239 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in black on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 4 handstamped surcharge in black in a horizontal pair with right hand stamp with surcharge in carmine, of wonderful fresh appearance, typical speckles from the red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Just 19 stamps were printed with the black surcharge and thus a se-tenant pair of consummate quality and rarity. Signed A. Diena. Certs. Brandon (1994), BPA (2021) Gi = £ 4'700++.rnProvenance: Spink, London, 6-7 Dec 2006, lot 1303.
    Starting bid : 2,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 7,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5240 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in black on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 4 handstamped surcharge in black, in horizontal pair with second stamp surcharged in blue, of fresh colour with some manuscript notations on large part og. Vertical fold along perfs. mentioned for full accuracy but an exceptional and rare se-tenant pair with just 19 stamps printed surcharged in black. Cert. BPA (2022) Gi = £ 4'700+.rnProvenance: Collection E. Ashton-Kinder, RL, London, 15 Feb 1978, lot 125.
    Starting bid : 2,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 4,800 CHF

    Lot# : 5241 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENN.Y' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, a used example with Gibbons Type 5 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, cancelled by "Forcados River" circular datestamp (Jan 3, 1894) in black. A scarce stamp. Cert. BPA (1955) Gi = £ 225.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 110 CHF

    Lot# : 5242 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENN.Y' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, a used horizontal pair with Gibbons Type 5 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, cancelled by "Forcados River" circular datestamps (Jan 3, 1894) in black. A choice and very scarce multiple Gi = £ 450+.
    Starting bid : 175 CHF
    Hammer price : 380 CHF

    Lot# : 5243 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENN.Y' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, a used example with Gibbons Type 5 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, variety "Surcharge Double", cancelled by large part "Forcados River" datestamp in black. Extremely rare. Cert. BPA (1967) Gi = £ 2'250.rn 
    Starting bid : 600 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5244 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, a used example with Gibbons Type 6 handstamped surcharge in violet, lightly cancelled by circular datestamp in black. Some speckles from the red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on reverse. A scarce stamp with just 120 issued Gi = £ 500.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 20 Dec 1994, ex lot 1470.
    Starting bid : 175 CHF
    Hammer price : 300 CHF

    Lot# : 5245 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, a used example with Gibbons Type 6 handstamped surcharge in violet and showing "Raised 'Y' in PENNY", marginal from base of sheet, cancelled by complete strike of "Old Calabar River" circular datestamp (21 March, 1894) struck in black. Just 120 stamps issued, scarce. Cert. Brandon (1986) Gi = £ 500.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 360 CHF

    Lot# : 5246 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused horizontal pair with Gibbons Type 6 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, second stamp with variety "Surcharge Diagonal Inverted Reading Up", of lovely rich colour, fresh and very fine, large part og. A wonderful pair of great rarity. Signed Stanley Gibbons. Cert. RPSL (1931) Gi = £ 8'000++.rnProvenance: Collection Alfred W. Bates (1931).rn                       
    Starting bid : 3,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 7,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5247 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused se-tenant block of twelve (3 x 4), with italic Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in vermilion on eight stamps (positions 1, 2, 4-6, 10-12 on the multiple), third stamp with Gibbons Type 6 handstamped surcharge in vermilion each with variety "Surcharge Diagonal Inverted, Reading Up", seventh stamp with variety "Surcharge Diagonal Inverted, Reading Down" and position 8 with variety "Surcharge Diagonal, Reading Down" and position 9 with "Surcharge Diagonal, Reading Up", fresh colour and very fine, typical speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part or unmounted og. Probably the largest multiple extant of any of the December 1893 provisionals and a great rarity of the issue. Magnificent. Cert. BPA (1973) Gi = £ 27'200++.rnProvenance: Collection Renato Mondolfo RDP.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 10,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 34,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5248 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused horizontal pair with Gibbons Type 6 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, first stamp with variety "Surcharge Diagonal Reading Down", second stamp with Gibbons Type 7 'Half / Penny' handstamped surcharge in vermilion, fresh and very fine, large part og. Extremely rare. Cert. BPA (1958) Gi = £ 5'000++.rnProvenance: Collection William Frazer, Spink, London, 25 March 2004, lot 600.
    Starting bid : 1,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 6,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5249 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused se-tenant horizontal pair, marginal from right of sheet, with Gibbons Type 6 handstamped surcharge in vermilion on first stamp with variety "Surcharge Vertical Reading Up", right hand stamp with Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge 'Half / Penny' in vermilion, fresh and very fine, superb large part og. An exceptionally rare multiple in the foremost quality Gi = £ 13'400++.rnProvenance: Collection Colonel E.H.R. Green, Harmer Rooke, New York, 13-18 Nov 1944, lot 1090.
    Starting bid : 5,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 13,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5250 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, a used example with Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in violet, of good colour, cancelled by "Old Calabar River" circular datestamp (March 22, 1894) in black. Just 120 stamps issued Gi = £ 275.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 120 CHF

    Lot# : 5251 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, a used example with Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in violet, on small piece with July 1892 2 d. grey-green & carmine, each cancelled by "Old Calabar" squared circle datestamps (Nov 28, 1894) in black. Unusual and scarce. Signed Heinrich Köhler Gi = £ 275+.
    Starting bid : 120 CHF
    Hammer price : 280 CHF

    Lot# : 5252 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused horizontal pair with first stamp showing Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in violet and second stamp surcharged Gibbons Type 3 in violet, variety "Surcharge Vertical Reading Up", large part og. with typical speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the adhesives. One short perf. on right hand stamp (not mentioned on certificate) but an immensely rare se-tenant pair. Certs. Brandon (1987), RPSL (2021) Gi = £ 9'500+.
    Starting bid : 2,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 13,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5253 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, a used vertical pair with Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in violet, of fine fresh colour, lower stamp variety "Surcharge Double", lightly cancelled by "Old Calabar River" circular datestamps (probably March 21, 1894) in black leaving the variety clear. Just 120 stamps printed, the only other pair extant being the horizontal pair ex the Colonel Danson collection (lot 1696) which probably adjoined this (see photo with lot). An exceptional and extremely rare pair in the foremost quality. Cert. BPA (2003) Gi = £ 6'750++.
    Starting bid : 2,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 10,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5254 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused horizontal pair with Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in violet, first stamp showing variety "Surcharge Vertical Reading Down", both with lower bars omitted, typical speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Just 120 stamps printed, a wonderful and extremely rare multiple. Cert. BPA (1985) Gi = £ 8'000++.rnProvenance: Collection Rossi, Warwick & Warwick, Coventry, 8 June 2005, lot 426.
    Starting bid : 3,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 8,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5255 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, fresh and fine, typical speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Just 180 stamps issued. Signed Brun, A. Diena Gi = £ 400.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : 180 CHF

    Lot# : 5256 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, a used example with Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, cancelled by "Forcados River" circular datestamp (partial Jan 3, 1894) with Code C reversed in black. Fine and scarce, just 180 stamps issued. Cert. BPA (1980) Gi = £ 200.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 120 CHF

    Lot# : 5257 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, a used horizontal pair with Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, cancelled by complete "Old Calabar River" circular datestamp (Feb 17, 1894) in black. Fine and scarce multiple with just 180 stamps issued Gi = £ 400.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 440 CHF

    Lot# : 5258 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused horizontal se-tenant pair, with upper stamp Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in vermilion and lower stamp with Gibbons Type 6 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, fresh and very fine with merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. An extremely rare and attractive multiple Gi = £ 1'000++.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 28 Aug 1997, lot 1235.
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 7,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5259 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused vertical se-tenant pair, with upper stamp Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, variety "Surcharge Vertical Reading Up", lower stamp with Gibbons Type 6 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, fresh and very fine with merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Wonderful and of great rarity. Cert. BPA (2021) Gi = £ 8'650++.rnProvenance: Collection Preston; Collection Dale-Lichtenstein, Harmers, New York, 14 March 1991, lot 184.
    Starting bid : 2,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 10,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5260 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in violet on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in violet, minor bend of no significance, fresh and very fine with merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. A very rare stamp with just 9 examples printed, in the foremost quality. Cert. BPA (2022) Gi = £ 13'000.rnProvenance: Collection E. Ashton-Kinder, RL, London, 15 Feb 1978, lot 139.
    Starting bid : 5,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 9,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5261 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 8 handstamped surcharge in vermilion, fresh and very fine with merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on part og. and tiny corner perf. imperfection at lower right; nevertheless a very rare stamp Gi = £ 550.rnProvenance: Collection William Frazer, Spink, London, 25 March 2004, lot 605.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 380 CHF

    Lot# : 5262 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'Half / Penny' in green on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 8 handstamped surcharge in green, centred to right otherwise fresh and very fine with large part og. A very scarce stamp. Signed A. Diena Gi = £ 550.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 175 CHF
    Hammer price : 380 CHF

    Lot# : 5263 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, a used example with Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in violet, cancelled by "Old Calabar River" circular datestamp (July 19, 1895) in black. A fine example of a scarce stamp with just 120 stamps issued Gi = £ 400.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 20 Dec 1994, lot 1464.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : 340 CHF

    Lot# : 5264 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY.' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused horizontal pair with left hand stamp Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in violet, second stamp with 'Half / Penny' handstamped surcharge (Gibbons Type 7) in violet, typical speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Just 120 stamps issued, a wonderful and extremely rare multiple. Signed A. Diena. Cert. BPA (1964) Gi = £ 1'000++.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 28 Aug 1997, lot 1236.
    Starting bid : 600 CHF
    Hammer price : 6,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5265 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in blue on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused example with Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in blue, centred to lower left with typical speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Just 60 stamps issued. A fine example of this very scarce stamp. Cert. BPA (2021) Gi = £ 2'000.rnProvenance: Collection E. Ashton-Kinder, RL, London, 15 Feb 1978, lot 145.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,300 CHF

    Lot# : 5266 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in blue on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, a used example with Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in blue, cancelled by "Old Calabar River" circular datestamp (April 22, 1894) in black. Just 60 stamps issued. A fine example of this very scarce stamp Gi = £ 800.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 20 Dec 1994, lot 1465.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 440 CHF

    Lot# : 5267 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in vermilion on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused horizontal pair, first stamp with Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in vermilion and right hand stamp with Type 9 surcharge in green, slightest trace of age on superb large part og. Just 60 stamps issued with the vermilion surcharge. An attractive and very rare multiple. Cert. RPSL (1960) Gi = £ 1'100++.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 28 Aug 1997, lot 1243.
    Starting bid : 600 CHF
    Hammer price : 7,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5268 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in blue on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in blue, centred to right but of good colour and merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Just 120 stamps issued, a scarce stamp. Signed A. Diena Gi = £ 425.
    Starting bid : 175 CHF
    Hammer price : 220 CHF

    Lot# : 5269 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in blue on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused se-tenant horizontal pair with first stamp with Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in blue and right hand stamp surcharged Type 8 in vermilion, fresh colour and very fine with merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Just 120 stamps issued with surcharge in blue. A splendid and rare pair. Ex Tommy Allen. Cert. BPA (1931) Gi = £ 975++.rnProvenance: Collection Alfred W. Bates (1931).
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 6,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5270 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in blue on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused se-tenant horizontal strip of three, with first and third stamps Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in blue and central stamp surcharged Type 8 in vermilion, fresh vibrant colour and very fine, with merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Just 120 stamps issued with the surcharge struck in blue. A magnificent and extremely rare multiple. Cert. RPSL (1968) Gi = £ 1'400++.rnProvenance: Bridger & Kay, London, 25-26 April 1979, lot 1484.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 8,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5271 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in green on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example with Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in green, centred to right but of fine fresh colour and merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on most part og. Scarce, just 120 stamps issued. Signed A. Diena and T.H. Lemaire Gi = £ 450.
    Starting bid : 120 CHF
    Hammer price : 180 CHF

    Lot# : 5272 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in green on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, a used example with Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in green, neatly cancelled by "Bonny River" circular datestamp (May 1894) in black. Scarce, just 120 stamps issued Gi = £ 500.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 20 Dec 1994, lot 1468.
    Starting bid : 180 CHF
    Hammer price : 260 CHF

    Lot# : 5273 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in green on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused se-tenant horizontal strip of three, with first and third stamps Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in green and central stamp surcharged Type 9 in vermilion, of fresh vibrant colour and extremely fine, with merest trace of speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on large part og. Just 120 stamps of the green and 60 stamps of the vermilion surcharge issued. Exceptional and very rare multiple. Cert. RPSL (1995) Gi = £ 1'550++.rnProvenance: Collection Colonel J.R. Danson, RL, London, 10 March 1971, lot 1714; Collection David Springbett; Collection Howard & Torie Gibralter, Shreves, New York, 14-15 Sept 2000, lot 1906.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 8,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5274 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in violet on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused horizontal se-tenant pair with first stamp Gibbons Type 9 handstamped surcharge in violet (9 printed), second stamp with italic Gibbons Type 7 handstamped surcharge in violet (22 examples printed), fresh and very fine, superb large part og. Believed unique. Signed Tommy Allen, Peter Holcombe, William H. Peckitt. Cert. Holcombe (1985) Gi = £ 19'000++.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 28 Jan 1998, lot 1578.
    Starting bid : 7,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 27,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5275 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'HALF / PENNY' in green on Great Britain 2½ d. purple on blue, an unused example, marginal from top of sheet with Gibbons Type 10 handstamped surcharge in green, a fine used example tied to small piece by complete strike of "Old Calabar River" circular datestamp (April 20, 1894) in black. Scarce with just 120 stamps issued. Signed Turpin / London Gi = £ 450.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : 380 CHF

    Lot# : 5276 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'One / Shilling' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused example with Gibbons Type 11 handstamped surcharge Type A from the Trial Sheet, fresh and very fine, superb large part og. Scarce, with just 120 stamps issued Gi = £ 475.rnProvenance: Collection William Frazer, Spink, London, 25 March 2004, lot 616.
    Starting bid : 350 CHF
    Hammer price : 460 CHF

    Lot# : 5277 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'One / Shilling' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, a used example with Gibbons Type 11 handstamped surcharge Type A, marginal from top of sheet tied to small piece by complete strike of "Old Calabar River" circular datestamp (April 11, 1895) in black. Extremely rare - just two used examples are recorded from the Trail Sheet (reference John Sacher page 37). A rarity of the issue Gi = £ 400+.rnProvenance: Collection Colonel J.S. Danson, RL, 10 March 1971, lot 1722.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 550 CHF

    Lot# : 5278 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'One / Shilling' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused horizontal pair with Gibbons Type 11 handstamped surcharge Type A, the first stamp with variety "Surcharge Diagonal Reading Up" and the right hand stamp with variety "Surcharge Vertical Reading Down", of fresh colour and very fine, superb large part og. Exceedingly rare multiple for the connoisseur. Cert. BPA (1956) Gi = £ 16'000+.rnProvenance: Collection E. Ashton-Kinder, RL, London, 15 Feb 1978, lot 155.
    Starting bid : 5,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 15,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5279 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'One / Shilling' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused horizontal pair with Gibbons Type 11 handstamped surcharge Type A from the Trial Sheet, first stamp with variety "Surcharge Diagonal Reading Up" and the right hand stamp with variety "Surcharge Diagonal Inverted Reading Down", centred to left, of fresh colour and fine, large part og. A wonderful multiple and a great rarity of the issue. Cert. RPSL (1932) Gi = £ 21'000+.rnProvenance: Collection George H. Boucher (1932); Collection E. Ashton-Kinder, RL, London, 15 Feb 1978, lot 156.
    Starting bid : 5,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 17,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5280 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'One / Shilling' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused horizontal se-tenant strip of three marginal from right of sheet with Gibbons Type 11 handstamped surcharge Type A from the Trial Sheet, first and third stamps surcharged in violet and central stamp surcharged in vermilion with variety "Surcharge Diagonal Reading Down", fresh vibrant colour and superb large part og. A magnificent and rare multiple (just one other strip known, ex Danson lot 1728) in wonderful quality. Cert. BPA (1956) Gi = £ 10'000++.
    Starting bid : 5,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 17,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5281 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'One / Shilling' in vermilion on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused vertical pair with Gibbons Type 11 handstamped surcharge Type A, from the Trial Sheet, upper stamp surcharged in vermilion, lower stamp surcharged in violet; fresh and extremely fine, superb large part og. A magnificent multiple in the foremost quality. Cert. BPA (1973) Gi = £ 1'275++.rnProvenance: Collection Renato Mondolfo RDP.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 6,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5282 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'One / Shilling' in vermilion on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused example with Gibbons Type 11 handstamped surcharge Type A, from the Trial Sheet, variety "Surcharge Inverted", one slight blunted perf. at left with minor corner crease unapparent on face, of fresh colour and fine large part og. An exceptionally rare stamp. Cert. BPA (1991) Gi = £ 18'000.rnProvenance: Collection Dale-Lichtensten, Harmers, New York, 214 March 1991, lot 191; Harmers, London, 23 March 1994, lot 1626.
    Starting bid : 5,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 21,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5283 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'One / Shilling' in black on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused example with Gibbons Type 11 handstamped surcharge Type B, fresh colour and very fine appearance with surcharge strongly applied, top perfs. with slight traces of the red blotting paper used for storing the stamps, large part og. An immensely rare stamp. Signed A. Diena, Houtzamer. Cert. BPA (1986) Gi = £ 6'000.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 2,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 27,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5284 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): 'One / Shilling' in black on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused example with Gibbons Type 11 handstamped surcharge Type A, variety "Surcharge Diagonal Reading Up", fresh colour, slightest of aging on gum at top of stamp not affecting the very fine appearance and mentioned for full accuracy (not on certificate), large part og. A major rarity of British Colonial philately. Cert. BPA (1991) Gi = £ 15'000.rnProvenance: Collection Colonel E.H.R.Green, Harmer Rooke, New Yorik, 13-18 Nov 1944, lot 1098; Collection Dale-Lichtenstein, Harmers, New York, 14 March 1991, lot 193; Christies, London, 19 Nov 1996, lot 202.
    Starting bid : 7,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 23,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5285 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): '5/-' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused example with Gibbons Type 12 handstamped surcharge, variety "Surcharge Vertical Reading Down", of fine colour and appearance, large part og. An immensely rare stamp with just 4 stamps recorded, one housed in the collection of His Majesty King Charles III. One of the most elusive of all British Colonial stamps. Cert. BPA (1954) Gi = £ 45'000.rnProvenance: Collection Colonel J.R. Danson, RL, London, 10 March 1971, lot 1746; Collection Rossi, Warwick & Warwick, Coventry, 8 June 2005, lot 477.
    Starting bid : 20,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 40,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5286 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): '5/-' in violet on Great Britain 2 d. grey-green & carmine, an unused example with Gibbons Type 12 handstamped surcharge in violet, variety "Surcharge Diagonal Reading Down", of fine colour and appearance, horizontal crease not affecting the frontal appearance, tiny piece of paper hinge remnant and speckles from red blotting paper on large part og. An extremely rare stamp with very few examples recorded. Cert. BPA (2022) Gi = £ 40'000.rnProvenance: Collection E. Ashton-Kinder, RL, London, 15 Feb 1978, lot 160.
    Starting bid : 15,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 36,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5287 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Issued at Old Calabar 1893 (Dec): '10/-' in vermilion on Great Britain 5 d. dull purple & blue, an unused horizontal pair with Gibbons Type 12 handstamped surcharge, first stamp with variety "Surcharge Vertical Reading Up" and the right hand stamp normal, of fresh colour but right hand perforations somewhat blunted, typical speckles from red blotting paper utilised to store the stamps on part og. Despite the minor imperfection an enormously rare multiple (just 32 stamps were issued) with the only other pair being ex Dale-Lichtenstein with the overprint variety reading down. A great rarity. Cert. BPA (1964) Gi = £ 51'500+.rnProvenance: Collection Philippe Ferrary de la Renotière, Druout, Paris, sale 5, 15-17 Nov 1922, lot 126; Harmers, London, 13 Feb 1995, lot 1370.
    Starting bid : 15,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 44,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5288 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Niger Coast 1893: Colour Trials (6), Imperforate set of six in unissued colours with ½ d. in deep violet, 1 d. in lake, 2 d. in dull blue, 2½ d. in orange, 5 d. in claret and 1 s. in emerald green; the ½ d. with some age spots otherwise a fresh and very fine set. Rare and attractive.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 14 Feb 1995, lot 1371.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 600 CHF

    Lot# : 5289 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (Jan 1): Oil Rivers obliterated, the complete set of six from ½ d. vermilion to 1 s. black, all used on 2 d. blue postal stationery registration envelope (235 x 100 mm.) all tied by "Old Calabar River" datestamps (Feb 28, 1894) in black. 'Registered / Liverpool' transit on front (April 5) and London arrival on reverse of an attractive cover.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 5290 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (Jan 1): Oil Rivers obliterated ½ d. vermilion, 1 d. pale blue pair, 2 d. green used with July 1892 2½ d. purple on blue and rare December 1893 'Half / Penny' in violet on 2 d. grey-green & carmine (handstamped surcharge Type 7) all tied to large piece of registered stationery envelope by "Bonny River" datestamps (April 19, 1894) in black. A most unusual franking.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 20 Dec 1894, lot 1470.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 200 CHF

    Lot# : 5291 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (Jan 1): 1 d. dull blue, two examples used on 1894 cover to London in combination with provisional Oil Rivers Sept 1893 ½ in red on half of 1 d. lilac, all tied by fine strikes of the "Bonny" squared circle datestamp (April 19) in black. "Paid / Liverpool / Br. Packet" cds in red on front (May 15) and Paddington arrival on reverse of a most attractive and scarce correctly rated cover.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 360 CHF

    Lot# : 5292 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Bonny River Provisional Bisects 1894 (Jan 1): 1 d. dull blue, a diagonally bisected example used in combination with July 1892 Oil Rivers 2 d. grey-green & carmine each tied to 2 d. blue registered postal stationery envelope to Liverpool tied by "Bonny" squared circle datestamps (Sept 11, 1894) in black. Oval 'Registered / Liverpool' arrival (Oct 25) also on obverse. Slight trim to envelope at right but a correctly rate and scarce cover Gi = £ 650.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 340 CHF

    Lot# : 5293 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers 1893: Waterlow Essay / Die Proof prior to 'Oil Rivers' being obliterated, 2 d. in myrtle green, imperforate on medium wove paper (26.5 x 32 mm.), with some retouching in pale bluish green ink below the value tablets at top and below the shells, slightest of tone spots otherwise fine. Rare.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,100 CHF

    Lot# : 5294 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    1894 (Jan 1): 2 d. green, the used horizontal pair, variety "Imperforate Between Vertically", of vibrant fresh colour, neatly cancelled by "Forcados River" circular datestamps (March 8, 1894) in black. Two small bends unapparent on face, a famous and extremely rare variety. Signed A. Diena. Certs. A. Diena (1957), BPA (2003) Gi = £ 17'000.rnProvenance: Collection H. Gilbert, Spink in association with Harmers of New York, London, 15-16 June 2005, lot 1006.
    Starting bid : 7,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 15,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5295 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Bonny River Provisional Bisects 1894 (Jan): 2 d. green vertically biseccted, 1 d. dull blue diagonally bisected and Oil Rivers 1892 2 d. grey-green & carmine vertically bisected, all used on 1894 cover to Everton, Liverpool, tied by bold strikes of "Bonny" squared circle datestamps (Sept 11) in black. 'Paid / Liverpool / Br. Packet' cds in red at left (Oct 25). Minor corner bends to envelope well away from the adhesives, but correctly rated and a rare franking Gi = £ 2'000+.
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,800 CHF

    Lot# : 5296 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers 1893: Waterlow Essay / Die Proof prior to 'Oil Rivers' being obliterated, stamp size imperforate Essay for the proposed 2½ d. value, printed in yellow-brown on medium wove paper, fresh and very fine. Rare and most attractive.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,100 CHF

    Lot# : 5297 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Oil Rivers 1893: Waterlow Essay / Die Proof prior to 'Oil Rivers' being obliterated, stamp size imperforate Essay for the proposed 5 d. value, printed in lilac on medium wove paper, fresh and very fine. Rare and most attractive.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,100 CHF

    Lot# : 5298 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (Jan 1): 1 s. black, perf. 14½ x 15, an unused complate pane of thirty (6 x 5), margins all round with slight trim at upper right, fresh and fine but for some minor separation, large part og. or unmounted og. Scarce and most attractive Gi = £ 420+.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : 500 CHF

    Lot# : 5299 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (May): The complete set of six values, ½ d. yellow-green to 1 s. black, each handstamped by seriffed "SPECIMEN" by receiving admnistration upon receipt from the UPU, aged and with small imperfections including occasional bends, part og., nevertheless a very rare set.rnProvenance: Grosvenor, London, 15-16 May 2003, lot 1031.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 850 CHF

    Lot# : 5300 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (May): The set of six values complete on 1894 registered cover to Bournemouth, all neatly cancelled by oval "Registered / Old Calabar" in black (July 5) and by 'Registered / Liverpool' arrival (Aug 8) with arrival on reverse of an attractive cover.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 6-7 June 1978, lot 341.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 100 CHF

    Lot# : 5301 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Bonny River Provisional Bisects 1894 (May): 1 d. vermilion diagonal bisect, July 1892 Oil Rivers 2 d. grey-green & carmine, Jan 1894 1 d. pale blue and 2 d. green vertically bisected all used on 1894 registered cover to Luton, tied by "Bonny" squared circle datestamps (Sept 11) in black. 'Registered / Liverpool' transit on obverse (Oct 25) and Luton arrival on reverse. Minor age spt on the 2 d., otherwise a fine correctly rated cover Gi = £ 800+.rnProvenance: Cavendish, Derby, 11-12 March 1994, lot 94.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 440 CHF

    Lot# : 5302 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (May): 2½ d. blue, a used example on 1895 cover to Bournemouth tied by italic PAQUEBOT in black with 'Paid / Liverpool / Br. Packet' cds in red at left (May 2). Reverse with Bournemouth arrival cds. Some wear and wrinkles but a scarce commercial usage.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 100 CHF

    Lot# : 5303 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894: Waterlow 5 d. Essay printed in black, centrally placed on cream surfaced wove paper (97 x 105 mm.), the legend "Niger Coast / Protectorate" and Duty Plate "5 / Five Pence" beautifully hand-painted in Chinese white. Numbered at base '757' reversed. A wonderful example of both the artist's and the printer's art, unique.rnProvenance: Grosvenor, London, 15-16 May 2003, lot 1029.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5304 Niger Coast Protectorate

    Opobo Provisional 1894 (May): '½' in red on left half of 1 d. pale blue, a used example, tied to small piece by "Opobo River" circular datestamp (Aug 22, 1894) in black. Pers. somewhat blunted at base but scarce with just one sheet of 60 = 120 stamps issued Gi = £ 375.
    Starting bid : 120 CHF
    Hammer price : 200 CHF

    Lot# : 5305 Niger Coast Protectorate

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    Opobo Provisional 1894 (June): Large 12 mm. surcharge '1' in vermilion on left half of 1892 2 d. grey-green & carmine, variety "Surcharge Double", an unused example from top left corner of the sheet, of fine fresh colour, without gum. An extremely rare stamp. Cert. BPA (1990) Gi = £ 6'500.rnProvenance: Collection Rossi, Warwick & Warwick, Coventry, 8 June 2005, lot 483.
    Starting bid : 2,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 6,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5306 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Opobo Provisional 1894 (August): '½' in violet on left half of 1894 1 d. orange-vermilion, a used example cancelled by large part "Opobo River" circular datestamp (Oct) in black. Minor imperfections on perfs. but very scarce with less than 80 stamps possible. Cert. RPSL (1950) Gi = £ 700.rnProvenance: Collection Joseph Silkin.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 850 CHF

    Lot# : 5307 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Opobo Provisional 1894 (August): '½' in blue on left half of 1894 1 d. orange-vermilion, a used examplecancelled by large part "Opobo River" circular datestamp in black. Minor imperfections on perfs. but very scarce with circa 80 stamps possible. Cert. BPA (2021) Gi = £ 550.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 440 CHF

    Lot# : 5308 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1 / 1
    Opobo Provisional 1894 (August): '½' in blue on right half of 1894 1 d. orange-vermilion, a used example tied to small piece by "Opobo River" circular datestamp (Sept 29, 1894) in black. Very scarce with circa 80 stamps possible. Signed A. Diena. Cert. BPA (2021) Gi = £ 550.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 300 CHF

    Lot# : 5309 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (Aug 10): Provisional surcharge ½ d. on 2½ d. blue, an unused example of fine fresh colour, large part og. Scarce, just 960 stamps issued Gi = £ 425.
    Starting bid : 180 CHF
    Hammer price : 240 CHF

    Lot# : 5310 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (Aug 10): Provisional surcharge ½ d. on 2½ d. blue, variety "Surcharge Double", a used example on 1894 cover front to Old Calabar tied by "Old Calabar River" circular datestamp (Sept 15) in black, with information strike alongside. Minor bends at left well away from the adhesive but of great scarcity Gi = £ 2'000+.rnProvenance: Collections Bates and Pilkington (1954); Spink, London, 6-7 Dec 2006, lot 1351.
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,300 CHF

    Lot# : 5311 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (Aug 10): Provisional surcharge ½ d. on 2½ d. blue, a used example, variety "OIE for ONE", position 8 in the Setting, tied to small piece by "Obopo River" circular datestamp (Christmas Day, 1896) in a rusty black shade. A very fine and scarce stamp Gi = £ 1'200.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 400 CHF

    Lot# : 5312 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1894 (Aug 10): Provisional surcharge ½ d. on 2½ d. blue, a used example, variety "OIE for ONE", on 1894 registered cover to London in combination with 1894 2 d. lake pair and single 2½ d. blue all tied by "Old Calabar" squared circle datestamps in black (Nov 19). Large 'R' below and oval framed 'Registered / Old Calabar' datestamp at base. Reverse with Liverpool transit and London arrival (Dec 25). A fine and rare cover Gi = £ 1'200+.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5313 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1897/98: 5 d. reddish-violet, eight examples used on registered cover to Dresden, Germany all lightly cancelled by "Old Calabar" circular datestamps (Nov 24) with oval 'Registered / Old Calabar" datestamp alongside. Registered Liverpool and London transits also on front and reverse with Dresden arrival (Jan 3, 1899). A charming and rare franking.
    Starting bid : 350 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 5314 Niger Coast Protectorate

    1897/98: Watermarked Crown CA, 1 s. black in a complete unused sheet of thirty (6 x 5) with sheet requisition number 268 in red at upper right, 2 s 6 d. olive-bistre in an unused block of twelve (3 x 4) from upper left of sheet and 10 s. violet in an unused block of four from upper left corner of the sheet, all generally fresh and fine, large part or unmounted og. An attractive group Gi = £ 1'200+.
    Starting bid : 350 CHF
    Hammer price : 750 CHF
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