360 / Mai 2015 London

1852 (July 1): Scinde District Dawk, ½ anna embossed on thick white paper, a superb used vertical pair with huge margins all round, cancelled by two strikes of the KOTREE large star (or cogwheel, Robson Lowe Type E, with the confirming pieces for this cancellation illustrated in Jochen Heddergott's Edition D'Or, Volume XX on pages 254 to 257) handstamps in black. BPA states " slightly treated to reduce staining ", in our opinion the colour of cancellation somewhat faded since it is water-soluble; a superb and rare multiple in wonderful quality for these delicate issues. Certs. Holcombe (1993), BPA (2015) Gi for singles = £4'500+.

1852 (July 1): Scinde District Dawk, ½ anna embossed in blue on white paper, a fine used example with large margins all round, neatly cancelled by lozenge of dots obliterator in black. Slightest of horizontal cracks at upper left, well outside the design, minute thin spot at base and insignificant scissor sut away from design at top. An exceptionally rare stamp in fine condition for this delicate issue. Cert. BPA (2015) Gi = £ 9'000.

1852 (July 1): Scinde District Dawk, ½ anna scarlet, embossed on wax seal, used example on small piece cancelled by diamond lozenge of dots in black, probably at Hyderabad. A few surface scarpes or blemishes but a magnificent used example of an enormously rare and famous stamp. Cert. BPA (2015) Gi = £ 23'000.

1854 (Sept/Oct): Lithographed ½ anna deep blue imperforate, wmk. Coat of Arms sideways, Die I, Stone 'A', a splendid block of twelve from top of sheet of 96 subjects, positions 1-6/9-14, showing position 6 with the prominent retouch to the Chignon, margins ample to large all round, some minor aging and minor corner bend at upper right of no real significance and not detracting from the beauty of this rare multiple, cancelled by diamond lozenge of dots in black and part double ring datestamp at left. A rare and most appealing multiple. Provenance: Jochen Heddergott Grand Prix Collection (Sept 1986), lot 40

1854 (Aug/Nov): ½ anna blue imperforate, wmk. Coat of Arms, Die II, Stone 'C', a delightful sheet marginal mint block of 24 from base of the sheet of 96 subjects with full italic imprint, positions 73-80/74-88/89-96, slight thin on position 86, and bend on fifth row, otherwise fresh and extremely fine, unused as issued. A marvellous and most attractive multiple. Cert. BPA (2015) Gi = £ 3'000+.

1854 (Aug/Sept): 1 anna dull red, part paper-maker's watermark, Die II, a splendid sheet marginal mint block of 40 from the centre of the sheet of 96 subjects, positions 17-24/49-56,of excellent rich colour with the watermark splitting positions 36 and 44, showing the italic marginal inscriptions at left 'Price SIX RUPEES Per Sheet - EIGHT ANNAS per Row. or' and at right, 'Amount to be cut off and affixed towards the RIGHT HAND CORN(ER)', slightest of aging, fresh and fine unused as issued. Rare and most attractive multiple. Cert. BPA (2015).

India Fieldpost, Abyssinian Campaign, 1867 (Dec 7): Early incoming cover to Captain H. B. Elliot of the Sapper's & Miner's attached to the "Field Force, Abyssinia", franked at Officer's rate by India 1866 4 a. green tied by Bangalore duplex and manuscript "Stamped". Reverse with Bombay transit (Dec 11) and fine strike of "FIELD FORCE POST OFFICE / ABYSSINIA" datestamp "29 DE 67" in red. This cover is mentioned in Sciaky on page 41 as one of two recorded arriving at Zulla prior to 1868. Minor vertical bend to the left of adhesive otherwise a fine and very rare cover.