2018-11-05 Mon

On 21st and 22nd November, Spink would be offering a very interesting collection of semi-modern French stamps in London. The collection is named Hermione and contains several top-flight classics and 20th-century stamps which will be offered in 6 parts.

A colour essay of the 40-centime Ceres issue printed in blue instead of orange is being offered at an estimated value of €20,000 to €30,000. The colour change was planned in March 1849 but the idea was revoked.

A cover postmarked Jan. 9, 1870 with the grey lilac coloured 5fr Napoleon III is being offered at an estimated value of €5,000 to €10,000. The item is considered to be the earliest-known use of France’s first high-denomination stamp.

Another highlight is an unused sheet-margin single of the Sage 1c Prussian blue colour variety. Lower-denomination stamps featuring the same design were first printed in green. This led to a lot of confusion and the colours were changed. The 1c stamps were then printed in black on lilac-blue or grey-blue colours. A limited number of stamps were printed in Prussian blue. The unused example will be offered with an estimated value of €10,000 to €20,000.

A unique unused example of the 5fr Mont St. Michel issue of 1930-31 will be offered with an estimated value of €1,000 to €5,000. Due to a printing error on the spire, the mountain seems to be erupting.

A cover transported from Ile de France in 1928 is being offered at an estimated value of €4,000 to €8,000. The cover contains stamps like the 10fr-on-1.50fr Pasteur stamp, a 2fr orange and pale blue Merson issue, the full 1924 Olympics set, a United States 5¢ Beacon airmail stamp and a registration label.

A 70c postage stamp celebrating the launch of an ocean liner in 1939 will be offered at an estimated value of €20,000 to €40,000. When World War II began, the launch and stamp release was halted. The same stamps were used with a 1fr+1fr semipostal overprint to raise funds for sailors in 1941. Only a few of them escaped surcharging, making the offered stamps more desirable.

Image Courtesy: Spink Auctions