Over one thousand two hundred lots of fine stamps and postal history passed under the auctioneers hammer on a busy day at Harmers of London’s Chiswick Galleries.

The sale commenced with the “Sheffield Find” of Great Britain covers. A solicitor’s archive that had not seen the light of day for well over 100 years! A crowded auction room found many happy buyers as the group offered as over 120 lots realised over £65,000.

The most surprising lot in this section was:
Lot 90: 1841 1d. red block of ten on cover, described as having faults but nevertheless rare and spectacular. Estimated £250 realised an amazing £5,605.

The sale continued with the properties of other vendors and we note:
Lot 154: 1840 Mulready 2d.envelope used. Estimate £1,000. realised £1,652.
Lot 204: A remarkable cover bearing seven single 1d. blacks from Plate IX (with at least one more missing) Estimated £2,500 realised £3,304.

Edward VII issues proved as popular as ever with many lots achieving high prices.

A section of over 150 lots of King George V issues which included many scarce blocks and varieties was eagerly anticipated by collectors and dealers alike, some of the more interesting realisations include:
Lot 345: 1912 ½d. interpanneau block of four imperf. Estimate £300 realised £472.
Lot 390: 1912-24 9d. olive-green, Control single with inverted watermark Estimate £300 realised £1,416.
Lot 394: 1912-24 10d. inverted watermark Estimate £750 realised £1,534.

The Seahorse issues went well with Lot 405: 1913 £1 u.m. Estimate £1,500 realised £2,596.
Lot 418: 1915 2/6 Cinnamon-brown shade Estimate £750 realised £1,180.
Lot 431: 1915 10/- Cambridge blue Estimate £1,750 realised £ 2,832.
The 1929 Postal Union Congress £1 is on the rise again as shown by Lot 462: £1 black u.m. Estimate £450 realised £649(as did the next lot!) But the top price of the Georgians went to Lot 480: 1935 Silver Jubilee 2½d. Prussian blue error of colour. Estimate £6,000 realised £7,875.

Later issues and collections rounded off the Great Britain section.
After a very short intermission the auction recommenced with one of Harmers specialities – Air Mails bringing some soar away prices!
Lot 558: Andorra 1932 Zeppelin cover Estimate £500 realised £708.
Lot 568: Costa Rica 1921 Pioneer flight. Estimate £500 realised £1,121 after spirited competition between two internet bidders.
Lot 575: France 1931 Zeppelin Polar flight Estimated £1,250 realised £3,835.
Lot 587: Germany 1931 Polar flight cover Estimate £850 realised £3,304.
Lot 601: Ireland 1934 Zeppelin South America flight cover. Estimate £1,500 realised £2,124.
Lot 604: Italy 1933 Italian Zeppelin flight card. Estimate £400 realised £1,534.
Lot 642: United States 1927 Admiral Byrd Transatlantic Flight crash cover. Estimate £1,500 realised £1,941.

British Commonwealth followed and started in fine fashion with Lot 647: Aden 1937 Dhow set in unmounted mint blocks of four. Estimate £1,800 realised £4,159.
Lot 882: Norfolk Island 1940 1/- Proof block of four. Estimate £400 realised £2,714.
Lot 906: Saint Vincent 1885 4d. Proof on card. Estimate £200. Realised £2,478.
Lots 907 to 948 was a fine section of Seychelles, featuring the Collection of J.W. Godfray of Storrington and all the lots sold. Estimated at £13,550 they realised £20,638.

The sale finished with Foreign countries and saw:
Lot 1002: Austria - Lombardy and Venetia 1850 15c, strip of four on cover Estimate £1,000 realised £1,002.
Lot 1107: Finland 1856 5k. blue with boxed cancellation. Estimate £750 realised £1,298.
Lot 1114: France 1945 Liberation de Paris miniature sheet. Estimate £750 realised £1,770.
Lot 1203: Rumania 1858 “Bulls Head” 108p. used. Estimate £2,000 realised £5,625.
Lot 1231: Uruguay 1859 thin figures 180c. part sheet of 102 Estimate £2,000 realised £2,360.

The total for the sale was £480,962 (all prices realised include the buyers commission).

The stamp market remains strong with continued demand for unusual and rare items. For a full set of prices realised and further details of this sale and Harmers future auctions please contact:

Harmer of London stamp auctioneers Ltd.
11, 111 Power Road
Chiswick
London W4 5PY
or you can visit our website www.harmers.com and view the entire sale there.

Harmers are currently accepting consignments for their October/November series of auctions, please contact us for details of our competitive conditions and terms.