Lot 1178, 1890 Great Britain one pound brown violet Victoria with rare THROGMORTON AVENUE squared circle

We recommence the auction today with more postal history. The Commonwealth section features many lots of Great Britain squared circles.

Lot 1178 THROGMORTON AVENUE F / E.C. a fine and centered strike P / AU 16 / 90 on a £1 brown violet Queen Victoria stamp (tiny tear at right). When the Handbook was published, only two strikes of this office were known, one (offered elsewhere in this collection) on a £1 stamp and one on a 1sh stamp. This is a third, unrecorded example. A rare squared circle, with a rarity factor of 475. The stamp alone catalogues $4,500 in Scott, including 50% premiums for very fine centering and clear c.d.s. postmark – squared circle postmarks are quite a lot rarer on this stamp. S.G. #185,cat £2,800. Estimate $500.

Lot 646 & 650 — Great Britain 1884 & 1888 one pound brown violet

Two exceptional examples of the £1 brown violet Queen Victoria, different years of issue and watermarks.

Lot 646Lot 646 Great Britain #110 1884 £1 brown violet Queen Victoria, Watermark Imperial Crown, used with Edinburgh c.d.s. cancels dated APR.2.1888. Position AM. Attractive example of this scarce stamp, fine. Catalogue value does not include the Scott suggested 25% premium for having “clear circular datestamps.” Scott CV$3,000.

Lot 650Lot 650 Great Britain #123 1888 £1 brown violet Queen Victoria, Watermark Three Orbs, used with Dublin Sorting Office parcel cancels dated MAY.9.1889. Position CP. Attractive and fresh example of this scarce stamp, very fine. Trace of horizontal crease, only visible in fluid. Ex. “JAL” collection. Catalogue value includes a 25% premium for having four margins clear of design. Scott $5,500.