Great Britain Specialised
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
973 results found
Lot 1
POSTAL REFORMS - CHARLES WHITING "HARWOODS ENVELOPES" LETTER SHEET ESSAY WITH TWO ESSAYS (ONE EMBOSSED) PRINTED ON REVERSE WITH EXPLANATORY TEXT: Aug. 1840 Whiting Harwood envelopes letter sheet in brown (minor edge wear and slight creasing) having the rare text printed in centre; "SPECIMEN/OF/ENVELOPE, STAMP AND ADHESIVE LABEL,/SUGGESTED BY/CHARLES WHITING/TO THE LORDS OF THE TREASURY/AS exemplifying his suggestions for carrying out the mechanical requirements of/a CHEAP Postage.". The two essays printed directly on the top corners of the address-panel of the blank reverse of this Pink envelope and the blue embossed Whiting/Wyon "PAID" design so similar to the 1d Pink envelope and the blue & red "PRINCIPLE SUGGESTED/V R /BEAUFORT HOUSE" label design. Spectacular and rare triple Essay. Only a few examples with this central text are known. A similar Essay sheet without the central text sold in Cavendish's Sept. 2003 auction for £2,645.
Estimate: £1500Realised: £1100
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 1
POSTAL REFORMS - CHARLES WHITING "HARWOODS ENVELOPES" LETTER SHEET ESSAY WITH TWO ESSAYS (ONE EMBOSSED) PRINTED ON REVERSE WITH EXPLANATORY TEXT: Aug. 1840 Whiting Harwood envelopes letter sheet in brown (minor edge wear and slight creasing) having the rare text printed in centre; "SPECIMEN/OF/ENVELOPE, STAMP AND ADHESIVE LABEL,/SUGGESTED BY/CHARLES WHITING/TO THE LORDS OF THE TREASURY/AS exemplifying his suggestions for carrying out the mechanical requirements of/a CHEAP Postage.". The two essays printed directly on the top corners of the address-panel of the blank reverse of this Pink envelope and the blue embossed Whiting/Wyon "PAID" design so similar to the 1d Pink envelope and the blue & red "PRINCIPLE SUGGESTED/V R /BEAUFORT HOUSE" label design. Spectacular and rare triple Essay. Only a few examples with this central text are known. A similar Essay sheet without the central text sold in Cavendish's Sept. 2003 auction for £2,645.
Estimate: £1500 Realised: £1100 ×
Lot 2
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - UNUSED TRIO: 1d env. Forme 2 Stereo A149, 2d letter sheet Stereo a105 with very light vertical folds, and 2d env. Stereo a201. Fine. (3)
Estimate: £240Realised: £170
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 2
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - UNUSED TRIO: 1d env. Forme 2 Stereo A149, 2d letter sheet Stereo a105 with very light vertical folds, and 2d env. Stereo a201. Fine. (3)
Estimate: £240 Realised: £170 ×
Lot 3
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - 1d MULREADY LETTER SHEET FRONT WITH 1d BLACK: 12 Sept 1840 1d Mulready front from Aylsham to Norwich bearing a shaved to wide margined 1d black AA tied by a smudgy red MX with a similar strike cancelling Britannia. The front has blue printed advertisements on reverse. The corners with mounts still attached. The Mulready has a light central vertical fold but displays well. SG £15,000 as a complete item.
Estimate: £600Realised: £420
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 3
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - 1d MULREADY LETTER SHEET FRONT WITH 1d BLACK: 12 Sept 1840 1d Mulready front from Aylsham to Norwich bearing a shaved to wide margined 1d black AA tied by a smudgy red MX with a similar strike cancelling Britannia. The front has blue printed advertisements on reverse. The corners with mounts still attached. The Mulready has a light central vertical fold but displays well. SG £15,000 as a complete item.
Estimate: £600 Realised: £420 ×
Lot 4
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - 1d ENV. - STEREO A37 used from Plymouth to Torpoint dated 15 Mar. 1842, cancelled with v. faint centrally struck black MX, endorsed ms “2 more to pay”. Small faults but sound. SG Spec. ME1 £550.
Estimate: £140Realised: £170
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 4
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - 1d ENV. - STEREO A37 used from Plymouth to Torpoint dated 15 Mar. 1842, cancelled with v. faint centrally struck black MX, endorsed ms “2 more to pay”. Small faults but sound. SG Spec. ME1 £550.
Estimate: £140 Realised: £170 ×
Lot 5
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - 2d ENV. - STEREO a210 used from Melrose to London dated 20 Mar. 1841, cancelled with an almost complete centrally struck black MX. Good example. SG Spec. ME4 £2,500. Cross Reference : ROXBURGH, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY
Estimate: £300Realised: £320
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 5
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - 2d ENV. - STEREO a210 used from Melrose to London dated 20 Mar. 1841, cancelled with an almost complete centrally struck black MX. Good example. SG Spec. ME4 £2,500. Cross Reference : ROXBURGH, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY
Estimate: £300 Realised: £320 ×
Lot 6
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - 1d LETTER SHEET USED IN IRELAND: 8 June 1840 1d letter sheet Forme 1 Stereo A15 used from Cork to Dublin with a lightly struck red MX. A little overall toning but a good Irish use.
Estimate: £100Realised: £100
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 6
MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS - 1d LETTER SHEET USED IN IRELAND: 8 June 1840 1d letter sheet Forme 1 Stereo A15 used from Cork to Dublin with a lightly struck red MX. A little overall toning but a good Irish use.
Estimate: £100 Realised: £100 ×
Lot 7
MULREADY CARICATURES, ETC. - STATE 2 PROOF ON INDIA PAPER with frame lines and "W. MULREADY R.A. and JOHN THOMPSON" imprints. Very minor foxing. A scarce item. SG Spec. MP4 £3,000.
Estimate: £360Realised: £850
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 7
MULREADY CARICATURES, ETC. - STATE 2 PROOF ON INDIA PAPER with frame lines and "W. MULREADY R.A. and JOHN THOMPSON" imprints. Very minor foxing. A scarce item. SG Spec. MP4 £3,000.
Estimate: £360 Realised: £850 ×
Lot 8
MULREADY CARICATURES, ETC. - SOUTHGATE NUMBER 2: 9 July 1840 example with a four margined 1d black plate 1a LE which may not belong but appears to be well tied by the red MX. The contemporary note inside reads "The stamp will come/off". Rare.
Estimate: £400Realised: £650
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 8
MULREADY CARICATURES, ETC. - SOUTHGATE NUMBER 2: 9 July 1840 example with a four margined 1d black plate 1a LE which may not belong but appears to be well tied by the red MX. The contemporary note inside reads "The stamp will come/off". Rare.
Estimate: £400 Realised: £650 ×
Lot 9
MULREADY ADVERTISEMENTS - A. CUDDY: 13 Aug. 1840 1d letter sheet Stereo A57 ex London to Portsmouth with a fine red MX and containing a blue printed "A. CUDDY" advertisement inside (SG MA5i £850). Cross Reference : ADVERTISING COVERS, HAMPSHIRE, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY
Estimate: £200Realised: £220
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 9
MULREADY ADVERTISEMENTS - A. CUDDY: 13 Aug. 1840 1d letter sheet Stereo A57 ex London to Portsmouth with a fine red MX and containing a blue printed "A. CUDDY" advertisement inside (SG MA5i £850). Cross Reference : ADVERTISING COVERS, HAMPSHIRE, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY
Estimate: £200 Realised: £220 ×
Lot 10
MULREADY ADVERTISEMENTS - EDINBURGH LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY: 3 Nov. 1840 1d letter sheet Stereo A243 (small tear top edge) used from Banff to Aberdeen with a fine red MX to the right of Britannia and containing an illustrated list of directors and agents with ms "James Rose, Solicitor, agent in Banff" at foot. Fine. SG Spec. MA 120c £850.
Estimate: £220Realised: £220
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 10
MULREADY ADVERTISEMENTS - EDINBURGH LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY: 3 Nov. 1840 1d letter sheet Stereo A243 (small tear top edge) used from Banff to Aberdeen with a fine red MX to the right of Britannia and containing an illustrated list of directors and agents with ms "James Rose, Solicitor, agent in Banff" at foot. Fine. SG Spec. MA 120c £850.
Estimate: £220 Realised: £220 ×
Lot 11
LINE-ENGRAVED COLLECTIONS - 1840-c.70 SMALL SELECTION inc. used 1840 1d blacks AK & C?, 2d blue CA, 1841 1d (2) & 2d (3). Also mint 1870 ½d plates (3) mint. Very mixed condition. (26)
Estimate: £200Realised: £170
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 11
LINE-ENGRAVED COLLECTIONS - 1840-c.70 SMALL SELECTION inc. used 1840 1d blacks AK & C?, 2d blue CA, 1841 1d (2) & 2d (3). Also mint 1870 ½d plates (3) mint. Very mixed condition. (26)
Estimate: £200 Realised: £170 ×
Lot 12
LINE-ENGRAVED COLLECTIONS - 1841-70 INTERESTING SMALL GROUP inc. used 1854-57 SC 16 2d plate 4 BF. 1858 SC 14 2d plate 6 DA. Also mint plate numbers (16, inc. a strip of three plate 171). Mixed condition. (32)
Estimate: £100Realised: £110
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 12
LINE-ENGRAVED COLLECTIONS - 1841-70 INTERESTING SMALL GROUP inc. used 1854-57 SC 16 2d plate 4 BF. 1858 SC 14 2d plate 6 DA. Also mint plate numbers (16, inc. a strip of three plate 171). Mixed condition. (32)
Estimate: £100 Realised: £110 ×
Lot 13
DIE PROOFS, ETC. - 1861 MINERVA HEAD ESSAY, ETC.: A fine example of the orange Minerva Head essay with cross cancellation. Also a portion of ungummed blued paper from the corner of the sheet showing ten impressions of the anchor watermark and marginal watermark. Fine.
Estimate: £100Realised: £190
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 13
DIE PROOFS, ETC. - 1861 MINERVA HEAD ESSAY, ETC.: A fine example of the orange Minerva Head essay with cross cancellation. Also a portion of ungummed blued paper from the corner of the sheet showing ten impressions of the anchor watermark and marginal watermark. Fine.
Estimate: £100 Realised: £190 ×
Lot 14
1840 1d BLACKS - UNPLATED GROUP comprising BD (good even margins), DI (good to shaved margins), DH (good margins), EC (close to good margins), QK (good clear margins), TA (clear margins), and TB (touched in places). All with red MX cancellations. (7)
Estimate: £260Realised: £360
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 14
1840 1d BLACKS - UNPLATED GROUP comprising BD (good even margins), DI (good to shaved margins), DH (good margins), EC (close to good margins), QK (good clear margins), TA (clear margins), and TB (touched in places). All with red MX cancellations. (7)
Estimate: £260 Realised: £360 ×
Lot 16
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATE 1a - WIDE MARGINED PAIR: A good to wide margined EF-EG pair with red MX cancellations leaving all corner letters clear. Fine. SG Spec. £1,800.
Estimate: £240Realised: £360
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 16
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATE 1a - WIDE MARGINED PAIR: A good to wide margined EF-EG pair with red MX cancellations leaving all corner letters clear. Fine. SG Spec. £1,800.
Estimate: £240 Realised: £360 ×
Lot 17
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATE 1a - HA: A fine wide margined example of the very worn impression with red MX leaving corner letters clear and clearly showing the plate wear.
Estimate: £140Realised: £180
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 17
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATE 1a - HA: A fine wide margined example of the very worn impression with red MX leaving corner letters clear and clearly showing the plate wear.
Estimate: £140 Realised: £180 ×
Lot 18
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATE 1a TE ON INTERESTING COVER FROM LERWICK: A three margined example (shaved at top) tied by red MX to interesting 21 Jan. 1841 EL from Lerwick to Boness with a good "LERWICK/PENNY POST" hs across the join on reverse. Note: the contents comprise an interesting letter regarding an appeal for funds to build a road from Lerwick to Scalloway.
Estimate: £140Realised: £650
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 18
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATE 1a TE ON INTERESTING COVER FROM LERWICK: A three margined example (shaved at top) tied by red MX to interesting 21 Jan. 1841 EL from Lerwick to Boness with a good "LERWICK/PENNY POST" hs across the join on reverse. Note: the contents comprise an interesting letter regarding an appeal for funds to build a road from Lerwick to Scalloway.
Estimate: £140 Realised: £650 ×
Lot 19
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATES 1a AND 1b: CI both with red MX cancellations, close to good margins. Sound. Also matching plate 1b in red, close but clear margins. (3)
Estimate: £140Realised: £170
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 19
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATES 1a AND 1b: CI both with red MX cancellations, close to good margins. Sound. Also matching plate 1b in red, close but clear margins. (3)
Estimate: £140 Realised: £170 ×
Lot 20
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATE 1a NF tied by a good red MX to 5 July 1840 local Shrewsbury env. Good margins on all sides. Fine.
Estimate: £120Realised: £190
Great Britain Specialised, Lot 20
1840 1d BLACKS - PLATE 1a NF tied by a good red MX to 5 July 1840 local Shrewsbury env. Good margins on all sides. Fine.
Estimate: £120 Realised: £190 ×