We begin our auction highlights with the catalogue cover item, a true rarity and showpiece.
Lot 1204 Nepal #11, 11a 1917 Half Anna red orange unused block of 24 with invert pair, 6th Setting with Dr. W.C. Hellrigl 2004 certificate to quote “ imperforate on medium native paper, unused block of 24 from the upper left corner of the sheet (pos 1-6, 9-14, 17-22, 25-30), with an inverted cliché on pos 6…This is the second largest unused multiple of this stamp, the largest being a half sheet of 32. All unused copies derive from the two sheets. The multiple described here is ex Heddergott collection…The multiple is in fine condition. The right foxing spots in the margin are typical of this issue and they occur on all other multiples cut from the two known sheets…genuine in all respects.” The block of 32, referred to in the certificate, was sold by Robson Lowe in 1967 and has not been seen since. This block sold in the Heddergott sale in 1980. This block has two vertical creases. One is between the third and fourth row, the other is a pre-printing crease through the fourth row. Mint tête-bêche pairs of this stamp are unpriced and are world-class rarities, Hellrigl: “The total number of tête-bêche pairs known amounts to less than one dozen, the majority being used. Scott catalogue value is for 24 singles with the invert pair at twice two singles. Scott CV$49,000.