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Shreves sale on Monday, June 11, 2007 was the remarkable collection of Great Britain Postage Stamps formed by William H. Gross. This was sold at unreserved public auction in New York City — with the entire sale proceeds to benefit the non-profit organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières. It was anticipated that the final realizations from the sale of his Great Britain collection will result in potentially the largest single donation ever made in the United States to the international medical humanitarian organization, and will be given as an unrestricted gift by Mr. Gross and his wife, Sue Gross.
Volume 1: Devoted to Exceptional Line Engraved Rarities
Volume 2: An Amazing Collection of Outstanding Great Britain Mint Singles
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Description | Est | Sold |
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S.G. #55, 1847-54 1/- Green embossed, Die 1, an extraordinarily fresh and handsome mint example, featuring considerably larger margins all around than typically encountered, rich color and crisp embossing, clean o.g., minor surface rubbing of embossing at bottom right not mentioned on accompanying certificate, very fine; a terribly challenging stamp to find this choice; signed Peter Holcombe and accompanied by his 1995 certificate; ex-"Kay-Jay" (Scott #5a). | $8,250 | $12,500 |
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S.G. #55, 1847-54 1/- Green embossed, Die 1, a magnificent block of eight (4 x 2), used together with a single, all tied to folded entire dated September 1, 1852 to Mexico by neat or very light strikes of the small black London barred numeral, the margins on the block and single range from close at a few places to unusually large margins (particularly for this issue), strong fresh color, large blue "10" rate handstamp at bottom, some light pressed creases and two stamps with minor surface flaws, overall in a remarkable state of preservation; an extraordinary franking of exceptional beauty and rarity; easily one of the premier pieces of postal history bearing an embossed issue; ex-"Maximus". |
$50,000 $ 75,000 |
$50,000 |
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S.G. #55, 57, 1847-54 1/- Green, Die 1 and 10p Brown, Die 2 embossed, a horizontal pair of the former and a horizontal strip of three of the latter, used neatly together on a folded letter from London to Mexico (same correspondence as the previous lot) dated June 2, 1852, all five stamps cancelled by fine strikes of black London barred numerals, both the pair and strip of three have large well clear margins (just barely touching at top of one 10p stamp), small scissor cut in margin between second and third 10p stamps, strong rich colors, large bold "4" rate handstamp in blue, very fine; a remarkable cover both for its rarity as a combination franking and for its overall beauty; a highly important cover for either the specialist or exhibitor; 1990 BPA certificate; ex-Atkinson. |
$15,000 $20,000 |
$15,000 |
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S.G. #57, 1847-54 10p Brown embossed, Die 4, an unusually select mint example of this rare and difficult stamp, quite fresh, possessing excellent color and embossing on bright paper, exceptional margins, o.g., very fine and choice; in far superior quality than most existing examples; signed H. Bloch (Scott #6). |
Cat £6,000 |
$13,500 |
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S.G. #57, 1847-54 10p Brown embossed, Die 4, a showpiece mint block of eight (4 x 2) from the top of the sheet, marvelously bright and fresh, with deep luxuriant color and crisp detailed embossing, large to enormous margins all around (just touching at the bottom of two stamps), full o.g., several stamps never hinged, some creasing (just slightly cracks the surface on two impressions) as is found on most existing mint embossed multiples and not affecting its magnificent overall appearance, an immensely rare multiple perfect for exhibition; cataloged as two blocks of four; accompanied by 1982 Peter Holcombe and 2001 BPA certificates; ex-Burrus, Fraser (Scott #7). |
Cat £90,000+ |
$100,000 |
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S.G. #62, 1857 4p Carmine on thick highly glazed deeply blued paper, watermark small garter, a select mint example of this rare and difficult stamp, without the usual surface abrasions often found on these, well centered, with winged margin at left, o.g., very fine; ex-"Kay-Jay" (Scott #22). |
Cat £5,000 |
$12,500 |
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S.G. Spec. #J70 plate proof, 1856 6p Deep mauve on azure paper, watermark emblems inverted, very scarce imperforate plate proof with central "EZ/Mr 25/1856" trial cancellation, three full margins, just cutting at right, fine; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #27P). |
Cat £2,000 |
$4,000 |
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S.G. Spec. #J70 plate proof, 1856 6p Deep mauve on azure paper, watermark emblems inverted, another very scarce imperforate plate proof with central "EB/Mr 27/1856" trial cancellation, four large margins, including a partial sheet margin at bottom, faint vertical crease, otherwise very fine; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #27P). |
Cat £2,000 |
$4,500 |
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S.G. #75, 1862 3p Deep carmine rose, Plate 2, clear spandrels, watermark emblems, AA, deep luxuriant color on fresh paper, centered just a bit to left, o.g., fine and quite scarce (Scott #37a). |
Cat £3,250 |
$1,450 |
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S.G. #77, 1862 3p Pale carmine rose, Plate 2, clear spandrels, watermark emblems, EB, handsome bottom sheet-margin example with "3 Pence/per Label" inscription in bottom sheet selvage, exceptionally well centered, o.g., with just the faintest trace of gum toning on reverse, very fine (Scott #37). |
Cat £1,500 |
$1,350 |
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S.G. #78 (S.G. Spec #J27a), 1862 3p Rose, "abnormal" Plate 3 with dots, unofficial line perforation 14, watermark emblems, EI, an extremely rare unused example, being one of only a very small number that exist, strong color, reperforated at top and at right, as is often the case with most existing "abnormal" stamps of any value, fine appearance (Scott #37b). |
Cat £9.000 |
$2,800 |
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S.G. #83, 1862 6p Deep lilac, Plate 3, watermark emblems, OG, especially deep luxuriant color, uncharacteristically well centered, o.g., very fine and uncommonly choice; 1985 BPA certificate (Scott #39h). |
Cat £1,450 |
$2,900 |
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S.G. #84 imprimatur (S.G. Spec. #J71(2) imp.), 1862 6p Lilac, Plate 3, watermark emblems, imperforate, AG, handsome top sheet-margin example, well margined, fresh color, o.g., very fine; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #39 imprimatur). |
Cat £2,000 |
$2,300 |
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S.G. #89, 1862 1/- Deep green, plate 2 (numbered 1), watermarked emblems, DL, strong rich color, attractively centered, o.g., very fine for this scarce stamp; signed Bolaffi and A. Diena (Scott #42a). |
Cat £2,500 |
$800 |
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S.G. #90 imprimatur (S.G. #J101 imp.), 1862 1/- Green, Plate 2, watermark emblems, imperforate, AI, top sheet-margin example, other margins full and even, lightly folded between sheet margin and stamp (well away from design), o.g., l.h. in sheet selvage only (which has a light marginal notation), very fine; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #42 imprimatur). |
Cat £2,000 |
$2,600 |
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S.G. #90, 1862 1/- Green, Plate 2 (numbered 1), watermark emblems, CG, quite well centered, bright color, o.g., very fine; especially scarce in this premium condition; signed A. Diena (Scott #42). |
Cat £1,700 |
$2,300 |
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S.G. #94, 1865 4p Vermilion, Plate 7, watermark large garter, pristine mint block of four, LD-ME, radiant color, o.g., top pair l.h., bottom pair n.h., fine (Scott #43a). |
Cat £3,000 |
$1,800 |
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S.G. #94, 1865 4p Vermilion, Plate 7, watermark large garter, attractive mint block of six (3 x 2), ND-OF, fresh color and paper, o.g., some hinge reinforcement of separated perforations, bottom right stamp with shorter perfs. at bottom, overall a fine and scarce multiple (Scott #43a) |
Cat £4,150+ |
$1,250 |
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S.G. #94, 1865 4p Vermilion, Plate 11, watermark large garter, impressive bottom left corner sheet-margin block of twelve (3 x 4), OA-TC, showing partial inscriptions and plate number 11 in the selvage, rich color, o.g., all but two stamps n.h., lightly folded along horizontal perforations between second and third row, centered a bit to bottom, overall fine; one of the larger surviving multiples from this plate (Scott #43) |
Cat £8,200 |
$13,000 |
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S.G. #94a, 1865 4p Vermilion, Plate 11, watermark large garter inverted, imperforate, AK-AL, extraordinarily well margined horizontal pair of this scare imperforate variety, with huge balanced margins all around, bright color, o.g., natural "transient inking flaws" (lightly printed areas) mainly appearing at bottom left of right stamp, very fine; 1996 BPA certificate (Scott #43b). |
Cat £3,800+ |
$3,000 |
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S.G. #98, 9p Straw, Plate 4, watermark emblems, DA, deep rich color, quite fresh, o.g., fine (Scott #46). |
Cat £2,200 |
$2,800 |
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S.G. #99, 1867 10p Red brown, Plate 1, watermarked emblems in error (instead of spray of rose), GJ, a magnificent quality used example of this important error rarity, believed to be the finest of only fourteen recorded examples, all of which are used, nine of which are used from Constantinople, as is this example, with a neat partial "C" in barred grid cancel, particularly well centered, deep rich color, very fine in every regard; a stamp that is almost never seen at auction; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-"Kay-Jay" (Scott #47). |
Cat £25,000 |
$70,000 |
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S.G. #103, 1872 3p Rose, Plate 8, watermark spray, FG, attractively centered, deep rich color, o.g., l.h., very fine; signed P. Oliva (Scott #49) |
Cat £525 |
$1,300 |
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S.G. #109 imprimatur (S.G. Spec. #J78 imp.), 1869 6p Mauve, "abnormal" Plate 10, watermark spray, imperforate, AF, an incredibly rare imprimatur of this "abnormal" Plate 10 stamp, which is not known mint as a perforated stamp, and only ten used examples are recorded, deep luxuriant color, well margined, including a sheet margin at top, the margin previously folded over (well away from design) and hinged in top sheet selvage, stamp with barest trace of hinging, very fine; among the rarest of all imprimaturs of the period; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #51 imprimatur). |
Cat £10,000 |
$15,000 |
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S.G. #110P (S.G. Spec. #J96 plate proof), 1865 9p Straw, Plate 4, imperforate plate proof on unwatermarked paper, OI-OK, horizontal strip of three, large margins all around, rich color, minor thin spot on position OJ, very fine; a rare and seldom seen plate proof, particularly as a multiple; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #46P). |
Cat £5,400+ |
$6,750 |
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S.G. #114, 1867 10p Deep red brown, "abnormal" Plate 2, watermark spray, TA, an exciting mint example of this immensely rare stamp, of which only five mint or used examples are recorded, three of which are mint and one of these is housed in the Royal Collection (lettered RG), making this one of only two mint copies in private hands, extraordinarily well centered, strong rich color, o.g., lightly hinged, the accompanying certificate states the stamp is "stained" which, with all due respect, is so minimal (on the edges of the gum side) as to be completely unworthy of mention and of no relevance given this stamp's near unique status, overall very fine; one of the rarest stamps in all of Great Britain philately; 1991 BPA certificate; ex-"Kay-Jay" (Scott #53 var.). |
Cat £22,000 |
$52,500 |
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S.G. #120b imprimatur (S.G. Spec. #J119 imp.), 1867 2/- Pale blue, "abnormal" Plate 3, watermark spray, imperforate, AE, one of the few existing imperforate examples of this "abnormal" Plate 3 which was never put into use, no perforated mint examples exist and only a small number of used examples are recorded, top sheet-margin example, with other margins large and well balanced, previously folded between stamp and sheet margin (well clear of design) and hinged on the face of the sheet selvage, stamp itself never hinged, very fine and rare; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #55a imprimatur). |
Cat £8,000 |
$13,000 |
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S.G. #120b, 1867 2/- Pale blue, "abnormal" Plate 3, watermark spray, HA, a very rare sound used example of this elusive and seldom seen stamp, being one of just a small number of examples known, all of which are used, most of which are poorly centered, heavily cancelled and with faults, this particular copy is much better centered than the majority, completely fault free and is less heavily cancelled than typically encountered, fresh color, fine for this rarity; 1955 BPA certificate (Scott #55a) |
Cat £7,000 |
$12,500 |
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S.G. #121, 1880 2/- Brown, Plate 1, watermark spray, BF, an extraordinarily choice mint example of this rare stamp, possessing outstanding centering for the issue, fresh color, o.g., very fine; among the finest original gum examples available: 1985 BPA certificate (Scott #56). |
Cat £15,000 |
$22,000 |
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S.G. #121, 1880 2/- Brown, Plate 1, watermark spray, the spectacular complete pane of twenty, lettered FI-JL, with inscriptions "POSTAGE TWO SHILLINGS" in top sheet selvage and "Price/Two Shillings per Label/8 Shillings per Row of 4/Two Pounds per Sheet of 20" in bottom selvage, magnificently centered, deep luxuriant rich color, o.g., amazingly at least twelve stamps are never hinged, couple light hinge reinforcements and two insignificant thin spots confined to the sheet selvage, lightly folded along horizontal perforations between second and third row, overall extremely fine and in an extraordinary state of preservation.In mid-1879 there were several color changes needed for stamps to conform with the Universal Postal Union's international color standard. One of the stamps affected was the Twopence Halfpenny, which would change from rosy mauve to blue, resulting in a conflict with the Two Shillings value, which was then currently printed in blue. Therefore, an order was made for new Two Shillings stamps in brown and they were delivered in February of 1880. However, they remained only in use for a mere six months, until July 16, 1880 when they were withdrawn from sale. From the moment the stamps were withdrawn from use, the Two Shilling Brown almost instantly became a scarce stamp and today it is recognized as one of the rarest stamps of the Surface Printed era. As a result of the short life span of the issue, combined with its high face value, mint multiples of this stamp are of the utmost rarity. In fact, apart from the unique complete pane offered here, the next largest multiple is thought to be only a pair. Even singles are difficult to come by, particularly as well centered as each of the singles found throughout this pane. And, never hinged singles are essentially unheard of, of which this pane contains at least twelve such examples.The magnificent complete pane is considered to be one of the most important mint multiples in British philately and has graced several important collections of the past, including The Earl of Crawford, Henry Nissen, Dr. Douglas Latto and Sir Gawaine Baillie |
Cat £320,000+ |
$500,000 |
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S.G. #125, 1873 6p Grey, Plate 12, watermark spray, NL, crisp mint single, deep rich color on bright paper, o.g., fine (Scott #60). |
Cat £1,400 |
$2,200 |
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S.G. #126, 1867 5/- Rose, Plate 1, watermark Maltese Cross, FB, especially intense color, attractively centered, o.g., very fine; 1988 Brandon certificate; ex-Sir Gawaine Baillie (Scott #57). |
Cat £5,000 |
$10,000 |
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S.G. #127 imprimatur (S.G. Spec. #J122 imp.), 1867 5/- Pale rose, Plate 2, watermark Maltese Cross, imperforate, HG, unusually large and well balanced margins, fresh color, o.g., couple of light natural vertical gum bends not mentioned on accompanying certificate, very fine; an extremely rare and desirable imprimatur of the 5/-; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #57a imprimatur). |
Cat £12,000 |
$10,500 |
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S.G. #127 imprimatur (S.G. Spec. #J122 var. imp.), 1867 5/- Carmine pink, unissued Plate 4, watermark Maltese Cross, imperforate, uniformly large margins, rich color, without gum, extremely fine; very rare and desirable as Plate 4 on watermarked Maltese Cross paper only exists as an imprimatur; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #57a var. imprimatur). |
Cat £12,000 |
$15,500 |
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S.G. #127, 1874 5/- Pale rose, Plate 2, watermark Maltese Cross, GH, handsome unused example, well centered, fresh color, regummed, very fine (Scott #57). |
Cat £7,500 |
$1,050 |
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S.G. #128 imprimatur (S.G. Spec. #J124 imp.), 1878 10/- Greenish grey, watermark Maltese Cross, imperforate, BD, a lovely example of this enormously rare imprimatur of which very few exist, brilliantly fresh, rich luxuriant color, well margined, o.g., very fine; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #74 imprimatur). |
Cat £20,000 |
$25,000 |
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S.G. #128, 1878 10/- Greenish grey, watermark Maltese Cross, GC, a choice mint example of this important rarity, wonderfully fresh and with strong rich color, well centered, o.g., very fine; among the finest available original gum examples; 1976 BPA certificate; ex-"Kay-Jay" (Scott #74). |
Cat £38,000 |
$55,000 |
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S.G. #129 imprimatur (S.G. Spec. #J126 imp.), 1878 £1 Brown lilac, watermark Maltese Cross, imperforate, BC, a lovely example of this rarity, of which probably no more than two or three copies are in private hands, large margins all around, strong color and impression on bright paper, o.g., very fine and choice; 1996 BPA certificate; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto (Scott #75 imprimatur). |
Cat £28,000 |
$30,000 |
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S.G. #129, 1878 £1 Brown lilac, watermarked Maltese Cross, BE, an exceptional certified mint example of this important high value rarity, being exceptionally well centered and with strong rich color, small part o.g., faint trace of a diagonal bend which is of little significance and not even mentioned on the accompanying certificate, very fine; 1974 BPA certificate; ex-Caspary, Lilly and Gibralter (Scott #75). |
Cat £50,000 |
$35,000 |
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S.G. #130, 1882 5/- Rose on blued paper, Plate 4, watermark anchor, FG, an incredibly select mint example, possessing a marvelous overall brilliance and freshness, lovely color on immaculate paper, exceptionally well centered, o.g., very fine; few original gum examples exist this choice; ex-Dr. Douglas Latto and Sir Gawaine Baillie (Scott #90). |
Cat £18,000 |
$23,000 |
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