Australia Kangaroo issue, 1913-14. (est. £15,000-20,000)(click on image to enlarge)
RARE stamps of distinction will come under the hammer at Sotheby’s next September. The Philatelic Collection of the Northern Irish peer Lord Steinberg is unique as it contains only mint blocks of four or larger multiples from 74 countries of the British Empire. Highlights include Australia with many rare Kangeroo blocks; the British Solomon Islands block; classic Ceylon; Falkland Islands with the 1933 Centenary set in marginal blocks of four; Hong Kong; India; Newfoundland with the unique 1927 De Pinedo airmail block of four and the 1932 DO-X airmail block of four with the surcharge inverted, and a selection of Rhodesian Double Head issues.
They will be offered in a series of sales on September 6-8 and on September 21. The three day sale is of British Empire multiples, the sale on September 21 will feature Great Britain exclusively. Altogether 2,068 blocks will be offered in a sale expected to realise £4 million.
Hong Kong 1863-71 at 30 cents. (est. £10,000-12,000) (Click on image to enlarge)
- 1840 1d. black. (est. £150,000-250,000) (click on image to enlarge) UPDATE: This sold for
£180,000
