BECHUANALAND
FEATURED ITEM
1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. COMPLETE ROW OF 12 STAMPS from the top of the sheet, comprising two strips of six separated by the interpanneau gutter margin. With intact margins on three sides showing current number ‘3’ above stamp 2 and plate number ‘2’ above stamp 11. A very rare multiple proving a setting of 120 was applied across two panes simultaneously. Odd minor stain in margins, the stamps are all remarkably fresh unmounted mint. Ex Brian Hurst collection and beautifully written up on his page. SG 3
£2,750
Recent acquisitions are numbered in blue. Last update: 13th October, 2024
Stamps of Bechuanaland Protectorate can be found here: Bechuanaland Protectorate
BRITISH BECHUANALAND
1885-87 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE STAMPS OVERPRINTED ‘British Bechuanaland’
AB2911 1885-87 Cape stamps overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’. Complete set of eight with an additional shade of the ˝d with red overprint. Fine to very fine mint with some rather heavily hinged though of fresh appearance. SG 1-8 £350
AB3007 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red. Very fine mint with hinge remnants. SG 1 £25
AB3780 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red. Very fine mint with hinge remnants. SG 1 £25
AB4198 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red (deep shade). Patchy gum, otherwise fine mint. SG 1 £15
AB4199 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red (bright shade). Very fine mint with hinge remnants. SG 1 £25
VV34 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red, with the overprint an unusually deep shade. Fine mint with large hinge remnants. SG 1 var £45
AB3752 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine mint with hinge remnants on the upper pair, the lower pair is unmounted. A rare multiple. SG 1 £325
AB4255 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red (bright shade). BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants. A rare multiple. SG 1 £325
AB4256 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red (deep shade). BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants. A rare multiple. SG 1 £325
AB4200 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red (deep shade). Fine used with part datestamps. Very scarce used. SG 1 £45
AB3107 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in red. Fine used with light, overlapping circular datestamps. Scarce. SG 1 £45
AB4201 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black OVERPRINTED IN LAKE. Mint, with some original gum. Unobtrusive creasing in lower corners. A major Bechuanaland rarity. BPA certificate (1995). Ex Brian Hurst collection. SG 1a
 
Note: it is believed the lake overprint was an early trial which was subsequently issued. Of the seven recorded examples, three are mint or unused (one is in the Botswana Philatelic Museum) and four are used (one is in the Royal Philatelic Collection).
£5,000
AB3759 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black, variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE (LAKE AND BLACK). Large hinge remnants and “small surface rub” mentioned on PFSA certificate (1984) (which may be a small adhesion). Scarce. SG 1b £275
AB4063 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black, variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE (LAKE AND BLACK). Several large hinge remnants, otherwise fine mint. Clear RPS certificate (2001). Scarce. SG 1b £350
AB3411 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black, variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE (LAKE AND BLACK). Exceptionally fresh and fine mint. Very scarce so fine. Clear RPS certificate (2021). SG 1b £750
AB4202 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black, variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE (LAKE AND BLACK). Hinge remnants with part original gum. Unobtrusive light horizontal crease at foot, otherwise fine mint. BPA certificate (2014). Scarce. SG 1b £275
VV39 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black, variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE (LAKE AND BLACK). Fair mint with some discolouration. Scarce. SG 1b £150
AB4203 1885 Cape ˝d grey-black, variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE (LAKE AND BLACK). Fine used with part datestamp. RPS certificate (2013). Rare, being the only recorded used example of the double overprint. Ex Brian Hurst collection. SG 1b £1,500
AB4204 1885 Cape 3d pale claret overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Handstamped ‘Specimen’ (Samuel Type BEC1) diagonally in black. Very fine fresh mint. Rare. SG 2 specimen £750
AB4205 1885 Cape 3d pale claret overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Handstamped ‘Specimen’ (Samuel Type BEC1) diagonally in black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge marks. Rare. SG 2 specimen £750
AB2772 1885 Cape 3d pale claret overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine mint with light hinge remnants. SG 2 £40
VV41 1885 Cape 3d pale claret overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine mint with evenly yellowed gum. SG 2 £25
AB4206 1885 Cape 3d pale claret (pale shade) overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnant. SG 2 £45
AB4207 1885 Cape 3d pale claret (deep shade) overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnant. SG 2 £45
VV42 1885 Cape 3d pale claret overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, minor thin on upper left stamp, otherwise fine mint. Rare. SG 2 £350
AB3753 1885 Cape 3d pale claret overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, with small faint spot of gum yellowing on the upper right stamp otherwise very fine mint with light hinge remnant across the upper pair, the lower pair is unmounted. A rare multiple. SG 2 £425
AB4257 1885 Cape 3d pale claret overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, the upper right stamp showing the variety Dropped ‘land’ in ‘Bechuanaland’. Very fine fresh mint with hinge remnants. A rare multiple. SG 2 £475
AB4209 1885 Cape 3d pale claret overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety NO DOT TO FIRST ‘i’ of ‘British’ (a microscopic remnant is visible under magnification). Very fine unused (without gum). A very rare variety. SG 2a £375
AB4208 1885 Cape 3d pale claret (deep shade) overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine used with a ‘554’ BONC of Taungs. A very scarce canceller and stamp in used condition. SG 2 £75
AB2773 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine fresh mint. SG 3 £65
AB3781 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Large hinge mark, otherwise very fine mint. SG 3 £55
AB4210 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine mint with hinge remnants and expertising marks. SG 3 £65
AB4211 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine fresh mint with hinge remnants. SG 3 £75
VV45 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety Raised ‘and’ in ‘Bechuanaland’. Very fine and fresh mint. SG 3 var. £150
AB2949 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine and fresh mint with hinge remnants. A rare multiple. SG 3 £525
AB3751 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine and fresh mint with hinge remnants. A rare multiple. SG 3 £525
VV44 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Left marginal BLOCK OF FOUR. Exceptionally fine and fresh mint, hinged on the upper pair only. Rare. SG 3 £600
AB4258 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR with interpanneau margin at left, very fine fresh mint with light hinge marks or remnants. A rare multiple. RPS certificate (1969). Ex ‘County’ (2003) and Brian Hurst collections. SG 3 £550
AB4266 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. COMPLETE ROW OF 12 STAMPS from the top of the sheet, comprising two strips of six separated by the interpanneau gutter margin. With intact margins on three sides showing current number ‘3’ above stamp 2 and plate number ‘2’ above stamp 11. A very rare multiple proving a setting of 120 was applied across two panes simultaneously. Odd minor stain in margins, the stamps are all remarkably fresh unmounted mint. Ex Brian Hurst collection and beautifully written up on his page. SG 3 £2,750
VV47 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used with large part VRYBURG / BECHUANALAND single circle datestamp. SG 3 £45
AB3448 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Horizontal pair, the left stamp with unobtrusive small internal tear at lower right, otherwise fine used with light central VRYBURG / BECHUANALAND (JA 7 89) single circle datestamp. A scarce multiple. SG 3 £75
AB4259 1887 Cape 4d dull blue overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF SIX (2x3), the lower right stamp showing the variety Dropped ‘land’ in ‘Bechuanaland’. Very fine used, cancelled with two VRYBURG / BECHUANALAND (AU 7 / 89) single circle datestamps. A very scarce multiple. SG 3 £450
AB2946 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine mint with hinge remnants. Various constant broken letters indicate this block emanates from the upper right corner of the sheet. A scarce multiple. SG 4 £110
AB2051 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, some pulled perforations at base and well hinged, otherwise fine mint. A scarce multiple. SG 4 £45
VV49 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, small area of light staining at left, otherwise fine mint. SG 4 £45
AB4260 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR with interpanneau margin at left. Marginal thin, the stamps are very fine mint with light hinge remnants. A scarce multiple. SG 4 £110
AB4261 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black with evidence of a ‘kiss-print’. BLOCK OF FOUR with interpanneau margin at left. Very fine and fresh mint with light hinge remnant on one stamp, the others are unmounted. A scarce multiple. Ex Brian Hurst collection. SG 4 £140
AB4062 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted 'British Bechuanaland' in black. Showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. Rather enthusiastically mounted and various marks on gum otherwise fine mint and of very good appearance. Rare. SG 4a £750
AB4215 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. Fine mint with hinge remnants. Rare. BPA certificate (1984). SG 4a £1,250
AA5156 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Horizontal pair, right stamp showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. Several hand stamps on reverse of each, hinge remnants. Very fine for these. BPA certificate (2002). SG 4a, 4 £1,850
AB3755 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Horizontal strip of three, the centre stamp showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. The left stamp also showing characteristic variety Raised ‘and’ in ‘Bechuanaland’ and the right stamp with Broken ‘s’. Very fine mint. RPS certificate (2005). Very rare. SG 4, 4a £2,250
AB4216 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Horizontal strip of three, the centre stamp showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. The left stamp also showing characteristic variety Raised ‘and’ in ‘Bechuanaland’ and the right stamp with Broken ‘s’. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge marks. Very rare. RPS certificate (1958). SG 4, 4a £2,250
AB4217 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. Fine used with part Barred Oval Numeral Cancellation. Extremely rare, believed to be the only recorded example of this variety in used condition. SG 4a £1,800
AB4060 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted 'British Bechuanaland' in black. With major variety WATERMARK INVERTED. Unused without gum. Corner thin, marginal tear and light soiling at top mentioned on APEX certificate (2010) though of fine appearance. Extremely rare, believed to be one of two recorded examples. SG 4w £650
AB4214 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted 'British Bechuanaland' in black. With major variety WATERMARK INVERTED. Fine mint with hinge remnants. Extremely rare, believed to be one of two recorded examples. Brandon certificate (2018). SG 4w £1,500
AB4213 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used with part Vryburg datestamp and BONC cancellation. SG 4 £20
VV50 1886 Cape ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fair used. SG 4 £12
AB2453 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape ˝d grey-black (SG 48) with forged overprint. Upper left corner marginal block of 16 (4x4), the upper right stamp showing the ‘ritish’ error. One stamp (not the error) with a toned perf, otherwise all are superb fresh unmounted mint. Although a forgery, the ‘error’ is remarkably rare, especially mint in a positional block. £275
AB1033 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape ˝d grey-black (SG 48) with forged overprint. Block of four, cancelled with a neat centrally applied and apparently genuine Vryburg (27 JU / 87) single circle datestamp. £30
AB2124 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape ˝d grey-black (SG 48) with forged overprint. Block of four, cancelled with a neat centrally applied and apparently genuine Vryburg (21 JU / 87) single circle datestamp. £30
AB4212 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape ˝d grey-black (SG 48) with forged overprint. Block of four, cancelled with a neat centrally applied and apparently genuine Vryburg (25 JU / 87) single circle datestamp. £30
AB4197 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape ˝d grey-black (SG 48) with forged overprint. Block of four, cancelled with a neat centrally applied and apparently genuine Vryburg (23 JU / 87) single circle datestamp. £30
AB971 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape ˝d grey-black (SG 48) with forged overprint. Horizontal pair cancelled with neat apparently genuine Vryburg (JY 12 / 87) datestamp. £15
AB2775 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine mint. SG 5 £20
AB4220 1885 Cape 1d rose-red (pale shade) overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine mint with light hinge remnant. SG 5 £25
AB4221 1885 Cape 1d rose-red (deep shade) overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine mint with heavyish hinge remnants. SG 5 £20
AB2948 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, the upper right stamp showing broken 's' in 'British' and raised 'and' in 'Bechuanaland'. Light surface mark on upper left stamp, otherwise very fine or superb fresh mint with hinge remnant on the upper pair only, the lower pair is unmounted. A rare multiple. SG 5 £275
VV52 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF FOUR, surface scrape on upper right stamp and gum evenly yellowed. A rare multiple. SG 5 £200
AB4262 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Upper marginal BLOCK OF FOUR with light hinge remnant in the margin only, the stamps are superb fresh unmounted mint. A rare multiple, especially so fine. Ex Brian Hurst collection SG 5 £400
AB3014 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. BLOCK OF SIX (3x2), small hinge thin at top of upper centre stamp, otherwise very fine or superb mint with the lower stamps being unmounted. A rare multiple. SG 5 £350
AB4263 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Upper right corner marginal BLOCK OF 12 (6x2) showing plate number ‘6’. Very fine or superb mint with hinge marks on two stamps, the others are unmounted. A spectacular and extremely rare multiple. SG 5 £1,250
AB2443 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine mint. A ‘kiss-print’ is evident on some letters. SG 5 £20
VV53 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing damaged letters ‘land’ of ‘Bechuanaland’. Fine mint. SG 5 var. £35
AB1210 1885 1d Cape rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used with light cds overstruck with transit or arrival BONC. SG 5 £6
AB1979 1885 Cape 1d rose-red (a deep shade) overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used with part BONC cancellation. SG 5 £6
AB4222 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Small fault at upper right otherwise fine used with Mafeking (AP 28 / 87) single circle datestamp. SG 5 £5
AB4223 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine used with ‘555’ BONC of Vryburg. SG 5 £8
AB2866 1885 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. Holcombe (1988) and BPA (1990) certificates. Very rare. SG 5a £3,250
AB4064 1886 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. Soiled and thin at top mentioned on RPS certificate (2013), otherwise fine mint. Very rare, with only ten mint examples recorded. SG 5a £850
AB4224 1886 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. Very fine mint with light hinge remnants. Very rare. SG 5a £2,750
AB4226 1886 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. Fine used with part of a Barred Oval Numeral Cancellation (appears to be ‘534’ of Kuruman). Ex Brian Hurst collection. SG 5c
 
Note: The Bechuanaland & Botswana Society recorded 11 examples of this variety, of which 3 are in museums. All are used and most show use at Kuruman.
£2,250
AB4227 1886 Cape 1d rose-red overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. HORIZONTAL PAIR, each showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. Very fine used, tied to small piece by a complete ‘534’ Barred Oval Numeral Cancellation of Kuruman. An extremely rare, probably unique multiple. PFSA certificate (1988). SG 5c
 
Note: The Bechuanaland & Botswana Society recorded 11 examples of this variety, of which 3 are in museums. All are used and most show use at Kuruman.
£4,750
AB4196 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape 1d carmine-red (wrong shade) with forged overprints. Horizontal pair with overprint double, one inverted (a non-existent variety) and provided with apparently genuine ‘555’ BONCs of Vryburg. £50
AB4230 1885 Cape 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine mint apart from a rather large hinge remnant. SG 6 £30
VV57 1885 Cape 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Some letters showing evidence of a ‘kiss print’. Very fine mint. SG 6 var. £55
AB4264 1885 Cape 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. An upper right corner marginal BLOCK OF SIX (3x2) showing plate number ‘2’. Very fine or superb mint with hinge remnants in margin and on two stamps only, the others are unmounted. A very rare multiple. Ex Ferrary and Brian Hurst collections. SG 6 £850
AB1492 1885 2d Cape pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used with light Mafeking (OC 21 / 86) datestamps. SG 6 £6
VV59 1885 Cape 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used with part TAUNGS single circle datestamp. SG 6 £6
AB4231 1885 Cape 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine used with ‘534’ BONC of Kuruman. SG 6 £10
AB4232 1885 Cape 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine used with a neat ‘555’ BONC of Vryburg. SG 6 £10
AB4233 1885 Cape 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Horizontal STRIP OF THREE, fine used with ‘638’ BONCs of Mafeking. A scarce multiple. SG 6 £45
AB4234 1885 Cape 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety NO DOT TO FIRST ‘i’ of ‘British’. Very fine mint with light hinge remnants. A very rare variety. SG 6b £750
AB4237 1886 Cape 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. Fine used with part Mafeking single circle datestamp. RPS certificate (1977). Very rare. Ex Brian Hurst collection. SG 6c
 
Note: The Bechuanaland & Botswana Society recorded 10 examples of this variety. All are used and most show use at Mafeking.
£2,250
AB4235 1885 Cape of Good Hope 2d pale bistre overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing distinctly Dropped and Raised letters in ‘Bechuanaland’. Heavy hinge remnants, otherwise very fine mint. SG 6 var £75
AB2444 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Hinge remnants, otherwise very fine mint. Scarce. SG 7 £140
AB3453 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Large hinge mark, otherwise very fine mint. SG 7 £125
AB2776 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black, showing evidence of a light ‘kiss print’. Fine mint. SG 7 £125
AB4238 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants. SG 7 £150
AB4239 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine fresh mint with hinge remnants. SG 7 £125
AA5013 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing distinct 'bounce' of 'B' of 'Bechuanaland'. Very fine mint. SG 7 var. £155
VV60 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing damaged letters ‘land’ of ‘Bechuanaland’. Fine mint. SG 7 £160
VV61 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing prominent Broken ‘B’ in ‘Bechuanaland’, now resembling a ‘D’. Very fine mint. Scarce. SG 7 var. £200
AB1167 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Clean diagonal crease, otherwise fine used with Mafeking single circle datestamp. SG 7 £12
AB1976 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used with part BONC cancellation. SG 7 £25
AB2445 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinteded ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine used with part Mafeking single circle datestamps. SG 7 £25
VV62 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used Vryburg single circle datestamp. SG 7 £25
AB4240 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used with ‘555’ BONC of Vryburg. SG 7 £25
AB4241 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine used with ‘555’ BONC of Vryburg. SG 7 £35
AB4243 1885 Cape 6d reddish purple overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety NO DOT TO FIRST ‘i’ of ‘British’. Fine mint with hinge remnants. An extremely rare variety. SG 7a £1,500
AB4242 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape 6d bright mauve (wrong shade) with a genuine GRAHAMS TOWN (AU 9 / 87) datestamp, apparently on top of the overprint. SG 7 forgery £10
AB2456 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Several large hinge remnants, otherwise very fine mint. SG 8 £100
AA6006 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted 'British Bechuanaland' in black. Remarkably fine and fresh mint. Scarce as such. SG 8 £245
AB3454 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Several hinge remnants, otherwise very fine mint. SG 8 £150
AB4245 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge mark. SG 8 £250
AB4246 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine mint with light hinge remnants. Ex Brian Hurst collection. SG 8 £250
VV66 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing variety dot between ‘a’ and ‘l’ of ‘Bechuanaland’. A few perforations discoloured at top, otherwise very fine with lovely deep colour. SG 8 var. £225
AB1638 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Very fine used with part of a circular datestamp. SG 8 £125
AB1458 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Blunt perf at lower right otherwise very fine used with ‘555’ Barred Oval Numeral Cancel of Vryburg. SG 8 £75
AB4247 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Fine used with ‘638’ BONC of Mafeking. APS certificate (1971). SG 8 £125
AB3015 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing flaw dot between ‘h’ and ‘u’ of ‘Bechuanaland’. Very fine used with part Mafeking single circle datestamp. SG 8 £125
AB4248 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the variety ‘B’ of ‘British’ omitted resulting in the ‘ritish’ error. Fine mint apart from a small thin spot mentioned on a Brandon opinion (1991) though not on an RPS certificate (1959). A major rarity of Bechuanaland philately with three mint examples recorded, one of which is in the Royal Collection. Ex ‘County’ (2003). SG 8a £12,500
AB4249 1886 Cape 1/- green overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in black. Showing the upright of the ‘d’ doubled, probably due to a pre-overprinting crease. Fine mint with hinge marks. Ex Brian Hurst collection. SG 8 £250
AB4253 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape 1/- blue-green (wrong shade) with a genuine Cape Town (JY 31 / 89) datestamp. SG 8 forgery £10
AB2125 Forgery of the 1885 issue. Cape 1882 3d pale claret (SG 43) used, subsequently provided with a forged overprint. Cape SG 43) £5
AB4250 Forgery Cape 1887 5/- orange with forged 'British Bechuanaland.' overprint. Very fine mint with light hinge remnants. Very scarce in mint condition. (Cape SG 54)
 
Note: although predicted in the early philatelic press, the 5/- duty was never overprinted for use in Bechuanaland and genuine overprints have no stop after ‘Bechuanaland’.
£150
AB4251 Forgery Cape 1871 5/- yellow-orange with forged 'British Bechuanaland' overprint. Heavy hinge remnants otherwise fine mint. Very scarce in mint condition. Remarkably, the forger chose a rare mint Cape stamp to overprint. (Cape SG 31)
 
Note: although predicted in the early philatelic press, the 5/- duty was never overprinted for use in Bechuanaland and genuine overprints have no stop after ‘Bechuanaland’.
£275
AB4252 Forgery Cape 1871 5/- yellow-orange with forged 'British Bechuanaland' overprint. Heavy hinge remnants otherwise fine used with Port Elizabeth (SP 30 / 86) datestamp. (Cape SG 31)
 
Note: although predicted in the early philatelic press, the 5/- duty was never overprinted for use in Bechuanaland and genuine overprints have no stop after ‘Bechuanaland’.
£125
1888 GB ½d VERMILION OVERPRINTED 'BRITISH / BECHUANALAND'
AB3783 1888 QV ˝d vermilion handstamped 'SPECIMEN' (Samuel Type BEC2). Little or no gum, otherwise fine. SG 9s £35
VV99 1888 GB QV ˝d vermilion handstamped 'SPECIMEN' (Samuel Type BEC2) showing some doubling of the handstamp. Very lightly mounted mint. SG 9s £75
AB3784 1888 QV ˝d vermilion handstamped 'SPECIMEN' (Samuel Type GB9). Gum wrinkles, otherwise very fine and fresh. Scarce. SG 9s var £125
VV101 1888 GB QV ˝d vermilion overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ and handstamped 'CANCELLED' (Samuel Type GB14). A few pulled perforations at top, otherwise fine mint. Very rare. SG 9(s var.)
 
Note: Samuel (p35) states that from 1886, this handstamp was applied by De La Rue, with the permission of the Inland Revenue, to 12 examples of each of the postage and revenue stamps printed for the Inland Revenue.
£350
AB2954 1888 QV ˝d vermilion. Right marginal block of six (2x3) without the marginal rule (denoting 1st printing). Hinged in margin only, the stamps are superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 9 £65
AB2951 1888 QV ˝d vermilion. Lower right corner pair showing CONTROL LETTER ‘L’ (denoting 4th printing, marginal rule with rounded corner). Very fine mint with light hinge marks and sensibly reinforced in the lower margin where the perforations are doubled. Rare. SG 9 £225
AB2798 1888 QV ˝d vermilion (dull shade). A lower right corner block of 15 (3x5) showing marginal rule with rounded corner (denoting 4th printing), perforated through lower margin. Some split perforations and mainly marginal gum creasing, otherwise very fine unmounted mint. SG 9 £25
1887 UNAPPROPRIATED DIES
AB3094 c1872 Great Britain QV Unappropriated Dies Ł1 pale reddish lilac with watermark Orbs (as used for Bechuanaland). IMPERFORATE BLOCK OF SIX (3x2), with each stamp handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (similar to Samuel type GB9) and affixed to thick card. Ex De La Rue archives. A scarce and attractive multiple. £450
AB1219 1888 Unappropriated Dies complete set of 12, 1d to Ł5, each handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type BEC2). The 1d is without gum, otherwise a very fine and fresh set. SG 10s-21s £600
AB3774 1888 Unappropriated Dies complete set of 12, 1d to Ł5, each handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type BEC2). The 3d, 4d and 5/- with redistributed gum, otherwise fine and fresh mint with hinge remnants. SG 10s-21s £550
AB2528 1888 Unappropriated Dies complete set of 12, 1d to Ł5, each handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type BEC2). Some faults including 1d and 2d re-gummed and the Ł1 is without gum. Some are rather heavily hinged though the Ł5 is very fine and the set is of fine appearance. SG 10s-21s £350
VV81 1888 Unappropriated Dies set of ten duties, 1d to 10/-, each handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type GB9). The shilling duties with rather heavy hinge remnants, otherwise fine and fresh mint. SG 10-19(s) £375
AB2273 1888 unappropriated dies 1d lilac and black handstamped ‘CANCELLED’ (Samuel type GB14), applied by De La Rue to only 12 examples of certain stamps under Inland Revenue authority. Very fine with little or no gum. Very rare. SG 10 var. £150
AB3900 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1d lilac and black. Handstamped ‘Specimen’ (Samuel Type BEC1) diagonally in purple. Hinge remnant, otherwise very fine fresh mint. A rare local handstamp. SG 10 specimen £275
AB2750 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1d lilac and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge mark. SG 10 £20
AB2675 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1d lilac and black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine fresh mint with light hinge across the upper pair, the lower pair remains unmounted. Scarce. SG 10 £150
AB3018 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1d lilac and black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine fresh mint with light hinge marks on the upper pair, the lower pair remains unmounted. Scarce. SG 10 £150
VV107 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1d lilac and black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine, lightly mounted fresh mint. Scarce. SG 10 £150
AB3120 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1d lilac and black. BLOCK OF EIGHT (4x2), some gum creasing, otherwise very fine and fresh unmounted mint. Scarce. SG 10 £275
VV108 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1d lilac and black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine used with neat VRYBURG (OC 23 / 90) single circle datestamps. Scarce multiple. SG 10 £45
AB2274 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black handstamped ‘CANCELLED’ (Samuel type GB14), applied by De La Rue to only 12 examples of certain stamps under Inland Revenue authority. Very fine with little or no gum. Very rare. SG 11 var. £150
AB2010 1887 Unappropriated Dies 2d pale dull lilac and black showing a degree of bluing. Fine mint. Very scarce. SG 11a £75
AB2028 1887 Unappropriated Dies 2d pale dull lilac and black. Fine mint. Very scarce. SG 11a £70
AB2447 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d pale dull lilac and black. Superb used with neat central Vryburg (AU 8 90) single circle datestamp. Very scarce this fine. SG 11a SOLD
AB2752 1888 Unappropriated Dies 3d lilac and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge mark. SG 12 £6
AA5732 1888 Unappropriated Dies 3d lilac and black. Superb fresh unmounted. SG 12 £12
VV110 1888 Unappropriated Dies 3d lilac and black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine fresh mint with hinge remnants. SG 12 £45
VV111 1888 Unappropriated Dies 3d lilac and black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine fresh mint with hinge remnants on one, the other three are unmounted mint. SG 12 £55
VV113 1888 Unappropriated Dies 3d lilac and black. Right marginal BLOCK OF NINE with marginal rule. One with small fault, and some gum wrinkles, otherwise very fine unmounted mint, hinged in margin only. SG 12 £125
VV125 1888 Unappropriated Dies 3d lilac and black. BLOCK OF FOUR. One with light surface stain, otherwise fine used with a central MAFEKING single circle datestamp. A scarce multiple. SG 12 £45
AB2446 1888 Unappropriated Dies 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Very fine and fresh with hinge remnants. A scarce shade, especially this fine. SG 12a £65
AB2275 1888 Unappropriated Dies 4d lilac and black handstamped ‘CANCELLED’ (Samuel type GB14), applied by De La Rue to only 12 examples of certain stamps under Inland Revenue authority. Very fine with little or no gum. Very rare. SG 13 var. £150
AB2779 1888 Unappropriated Dies 4d lilac and black. Handstamped SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type GB9). Fine with gum and heavy hinge remnants. SG 13 specimen £30
VV116 1888 Unappropriated Dies 4d lilac and black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants. Scarce. SG 13 £350
AB2276 1888 Unappropriated Dies 6d lilac and black handstamped ‘CANCELLED’ (Samuel type GB14), applied by De La Rue to only 12 examples of certain stamps under Inland Revenue authority. Very fine with little or no gum. Very rare. SG 14 var. £150
AB2754 1888 Unappropriated Dies 6d lilac and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge mark. SG 14 £60
AB2277 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1/- green and black handstamped ‘CANCELLED’ (Samuel type GB14), applied by De La Rue to only 12 examples of certain stamps under Inland Revenue authority. A little faded otherwise very fine with little or no gum. Very rare. SG 15 var. £175
VV280 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1/- green and black. Superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 15 £40
VV117 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1/- green and black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine or superb fresh mint with light hinge remnant on upper the pair only, the lower pair is unmounted. SG 15 £165
AB3775 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1/- green and black. Upper marginal BLOCK OF FOUR. Hinge remnant on the margin only, the stamps are all superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 15 £170
AB3013 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1/- green and black. Lower left corner marginal BLOCK OF FOUR. Superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 15 £200
AB3901 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/- green and black. Handstamped ‘Specimen’ (Samuel Type BEC1) in purple. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge mark. A rare local handstamp. SG 16 specimen £275
AB2759 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/- green and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnant. SG 16 £45
VV127 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/- green and black. Very fine used with neat MACLOUTSIE (DE 28 / 94) single circle datestamps. SG 16 £45
VV128 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/- green and black. Very fine used with neat VRYBURG (JA 13 / 92) single circle datestamps. SG 16 £45
AB2755 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/- green and black. Fine used with large part MAFEKING (SP 17 90) single circle datestamp. SG 16 £40
AB2886 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/- green and black. Fine used with large part TAUNGS (OC 11 / 90) single circle datestamp. SG 16 £40
VV129 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/- green and black. Horizontal STRIP OF FIVE superb used, each cancelled with neat FRANCISTOWN (AU 5 / 13) single circle datestamp. A rare and attractive multiple. SG 16 £275
AB2278 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/6 green and black handstamped ‘CANCELLED’ (Samuel type GB14), unusually with the handstamp INVERTED. This handstamp was applied by De La Rue to only 12 examples of certain stamps under Inland Revenue authority. A little faded otherwise very fine with little or no gum. Very rare, probably unique. SG 17 var. £750
AB3902 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/6 green and black. Handstamped ‘Specimen’ (Samuel Type BEC1) in purple. Fine fresh mint with light hinge mark. Rare local handstamp. SG 17 specimen £325
AB2760 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/6 green and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnant. SG 17 £45
AA5014 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2/6 green and black. Very fine and fresh unmounted. SG 17 £125
AA4194 1888 Unappropriated Dies 5/- green and black. Superb and fresh mint with barest trace of hinge. Scarce in this condition. SG 18 £130
AB2500 1888 Unappropriated Dies 5/- green and black. Fine used with rather heavy ‘638’ BONC of Mafeking. A scarce stamp used, especially with good colour. SG 18 £125
VV131 1888 Unappropriated Dies 5/- green and black. Very fine used with part MAFEKING (NO 13) single circle datestamp. Scarce so fine. SG 18 £135
AB3654 1888 Unappropriated Dies 5/- green and black. Superb used with neat MOCHULI (OC 1 / 97) single circle datestamp struck centrally and upright. Very scarce so fine, especially showing the alternative spelling of Mochudi. SG 18 £150
VV133 1888 Unappropriated Dies 5/- green and black. BLOCK OF FOUR, very fine used with FRANCISTOWN (NO 2 / 13) single circle datestamps. A very rare multiple. SG 18 £750
VV97 1888 Unappropriated Dies 10/- green and black handstamped ‘Specimen.’ (Samuel type SA1) in small italic letters in violet. Very fine mint. Rare. SG 19(s)
 
Note: it is believed this handstamp was applied by the Cape Colony to incoming specimens for the Post Office Record Book that were not already stamped ‘SPECIMEN’.
£750
AB2761 1888 Unappropriated Dies 10/- green and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants. SG 19 £180
VV134 1888 Unappropriated Dies 10/- green and black. Very fine used with light VRYBURG (OC 6 / 92) single circle datestamp. Scarce. SG 19 £275
VV135 1888 Unappropriated Dies 10/- green and black. Some light peripheral staining, otherwise fine used with PALACHWE / KHAMAS TOWN (SP 1 / 97) single circle datestamp. Scarce. SG 19 £225
AB2289 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł1 lilac and black handstamped ‘CANCELLED’ (Samuel type GB14), applied by De La Rue to only 12 examples of certain stamps under Inland Revenue authority. Very fine with some original gum. Very rare. SG 20 var. £400
AB2425 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1 lilac and black. Handstamped 'SPECIMEN' (Samuel type BEC2). Very fine mint with light hinge remnants. SG 20s £175
AB4061 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł1 lilac and black. Handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel Type GB8). Some gum creasing mentioned on BPA certificate (2014), otherwise very fine fresh mint with hinge remnants. SG 20 specimen £225
VV119 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł1 lilac and black. Light gum creasing and hinge remnants, otherwise very fine and fresh mint. SG 20 £550
VV120 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł1 lilac and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnant. Scarce stamp this fine. SG 20 £750
AB2865 1888 Ł1 lilac and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnant. A scarce stamp this fine. SG 20 £750
AB2007 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł1 lilac and black. Very fine, well centred used example with crisp ‘638’ BONCs of Mafeking. A very scarce stamp this fine. SG 20 £600
VV79 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł5 lilac and black. Handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel Type BEC2) diagonally in black (largely doubled). Some hinge remnants, otherwise very fine mint. SG 21s £275
VV122 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł5 lilac and black. Showing variety Shaved ‘TIS’ in ‘BRITISH’. Very fine and fresh mint with hinge remnant. Rare. SG 21 £3,250
VV136 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł5 lilac and black. A few small surface adhesions, otherwise fine used with ‘638’ BONC of Mafeking. A rare stamp used. SG 21 £1,250
VV123 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł5 lilac and black. Very fine used with a fine and almost complete strike of HARTEBEESTEPAN / B.B. (DE 17 / 93) single circle datestamp with a proving ‘340’ BONC partly overlapping the datestamp. A very rare stamp used with two very rare postmarks. Exceptional. SG 21
 
Note: Holmes (page 76) states “A postal agency operated here from the middle of 1893 to the middle of 1894, a life of just twelve months.”
£2,200
AB2691 1888 Unappropriated Dies Ł5 lilac and black. Bearing a forged ‘638’ numeral cancellation similar to the genuine though with curved side bars. RPS certificate (2013) states ‘cleaned of a manuscript fiscal obliteration’ though the stamp has very good colour and shows no obvious signs of cleaning. Unusual. SG 21 £150
1888 SURCHARGES
VV142 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1d lilac and black surcharged ‘1d.’ in black. Horizontal PAIR very fine used with MAFEKING (JY 10 / 89) single circle datestamp. SG 22 £10
AB1151 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ in red. Fine mint. SG 23 £18
AB1995 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ in red. Hinge remnants, otherwise fine mint. SG 23 £30
AB2664 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d pale dull lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ in red. Showing the variety CURVED FOOT TO ‘2’. Vertical paper wrinkle otherwise fine used with Mafeking datestamp. A scarce variety on the scarce shade. SG 23a+b £120
AB619 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ in red. Variety CURVED FOOT TO ‘2’. Fine used with light barred oval cancellation. SG 23b £100
AB1536 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ in red. Variety CURVED FOOT TO ‘2’. Very fine used with part BONC cancellation, well clear of the variety. SG 23b £130
AB2162 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ in red. Variety CURVED FOOT TO ‘2’. Fine used with part datestamp leaving the variety clear. SG 23b £130
VV145 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ in red. Variety CURVED FOOT TO ‘2’. Unused without gum and rather unfresh though a good reference for this often misdescribed variety. SG 23b £75
AB2719 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ in red. Variety CURVED FOOT TO ‘2’. Fine used with light barred oval numeral cancellation. SG 23b £120
AB2870 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ in red. Variety CURVED FOOT TO ‘2’. Almost imperceptible corner crease, otherwise fine used with Mafeking single circle datestamp. SG 23b £85
AB3761 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged ‘2d.’ Variety SURCHARGE IN GREEN. Fine used with part single circle datestamp. RPS certificate (2006). Very scarce. SG 23c £1,700
VV146 1888 Unappropriated Dies 2d lilac and black surcharged '2d.' Variety SURCHARGE IN GREEN. Fine used with ‘555’ BONC of Vryburg. Very scarce. SG 23c £1,700
AA2789 1888 Unappropriated Dies 6d lilac and black surcharged ‘6d.’ in black. Hinge remnant, very fine mint. SG 26 £110
AB3088 1888 Unappropriated Dies 6d lilac and black surcharged ‘6d.’ in black. Very fine fresh mint. SG 26 £125
AA4943 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1/- green and black surcharged '1s.' in black. Very fine fresh mint. A scarce stamp. SG 28 £225
AB2771 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1/- green and black surcharged ‘1s.’ in black. Fine used with light ‘638’ BONC of Mafeking. SG 28 £50
AA5474 1888 Unappropriated Dies 1/- green and black surcharged '1s.' in black. Superb used with strong original colour, cancelled crisp 'VRYBURG FE 3 9' sc datestamp. Lovely. SG 28 £90
AB1867 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Very fine fresh mint. SG 29 £180
AB2025 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Hinge remnants, otherwise very fine and fresh mint. Plateable as position [60] of the setting. SG 29 £190
VV149 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Plated to position [14] of the setting. Very fine mint with hinge remnants. Scarce. SG 29 £200
VV150 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Plated to position [38] of the setting. Fine mint with hinge remainders. Scarce. SG 29 £180
VV151 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Plated to position [44] of the setting. Fine unused with little or no gum. Scarce. SG 29 £100
VV319 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnant. Scarce so fine. SG 29 £225
AB2685 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Hinge remnants, otherwise very fine fresh mint. Scarce. SG 29 £200
AB2780 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants. Appears plateable as position [58] from the pane illustrated by Holmes on p52. SG 29 £180
AB3089 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Showing surcharge flaw broken ‘n’ in ‘One’, plateable as position 45 from the pane illustrated by Holmes on p52. Very fine mint. SG 29 £200
AB4176 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Left marginal BLOCK OF FOUR, plated as positions 37-38, 49-50. Very fine or superb fresh mint, with hinge remnants on the upper pair only, the lower pair is unmounted. A very rare multiple. SG 29 £1,400
VV153 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharged on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Plated to position [55] of the setting. Shallow thin, otherwise fine used with corner cancellation. Scarce. SG 29 £100
AB3760 1888 ‘One / Half- / Penny’ surcharge on 3d pale reddish lilac and black. Very fine used with part KURUMAN single circle datestamp. PFSA certificate (1985). Very scarce genuine used. SG 29 £275
1889-1895 CAPE ½d OVERPRINTED
AB4355 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Handstamped ‘Specimen’ in purple (Samuel type BEC 1). Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants. Rare. SG 30 Specimen £175
AB4356 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Handstamped ‘Specimen’ in purple (Samuel type BEC 1). Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants. Rare. SG 30 Specimen £175
AB4354 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 30 £8
AB2398 1889 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted 'British Bechuanaland' in green. Block of four, some very light gum creasing and offset, otherwise very fine unmounted mint. SG 30 £30
AB2422 1889 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted 'British Bechuanaland' in green. Block of four, very fine and fresh mint with light hinge remnants. SG 30 £40
AB2506 1889 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted 'British Bechuanaland' in green. Block of four, very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants on the upper pair, the lower pair is unmounted. SG 30 £40
AB4360 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted 'British Bechuanaland' in green. Upper marginal block of four, superb unmounted mint, hinged in the margin only. SG 30 £50
AB4362 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. An upper right corner BLOCK OF SIX (3x2) showing plate number ‘1’ in the margin. Very fine or superb fresh mint, hinged in margin and very lightly on one, the others are unmounted. SG 30 £145
AB4363 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. A lower right corner BLOCK OF SIX (3x2) showing current number ‘43’ in margin. Very fine or superb fresh mint with light hinge marks on three, the others are unmounted. SG 30 £145
AB2937 1889 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Fine used with ‘1003’ BONC of Lobatsi. Very scarce. SG 30 £40
AB2938 1889 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprint ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Fine used with ‘555’ BONC of Vryburg. Very scarce. SG 30 £40
AB4358 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Very fine used with part TAUNGS single circle date-stamp. Scarce. SG 30 £40
AB4359 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Very fine used with small part Mafeking single circle datestamp. Scarce. SG 30 £30
AB4370 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Horizontal pair fiscally used. There was no revenue rate in force requiring the use of a ˝d stamp. However, a pair served to pay the one penny duty required for all receipts in payment of goods and services. Only two pairs have been recorded to date, this pair is illustrated in Trotter and Midwood. Fault at lower right due to acidic ink. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 30 £45
AB4371 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Horizontal pair, fine fiscally used. There was no revenue rate in force requiring the use of a ˝d stamp. However, a pair served to pay the one penny duty required for all receipts in payment of goods and services. Only two pairs have been recorded to date. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 30 £75
AB4372 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Irregular BLOCK OF 50. The stamp at Row 5/1 showing MAJOR ERROR ‘British’ OMITTED.
 
The joined ‘G’ and ‘E’ of ‘POSTAGE’ on the basic Cape stamp at Row 5/2 confirms this is a lower right pane. This is the only known example of the ‘British’ omitted error due to a failure of the word to print (there is no trace of an albino impression) rather than due to a shift.
 
It is possible this is the first strike of the overprint and the missing letters were immediately noticed and corrected. Some gum creasing, otherwise superb fresh unmounted mint. RPS certificate (2007).
 
Ex William Frazer Rare Stamps (2003) and Brian Hurst Collection. A great Bechuanaland rarity. SG 30, 30ab
£12,500
AB4374 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black with ‘British Bechuanaland’ overprinted in green. Reconstruction of the setting layout for the error OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. Original research by Brian Hurst demonstrated that two half panes received a double overprint where one of the overprints is normal and the other is rotated through 90 degrees anticlockwise. Despite the identical positioning of the vertical overprint, on this pane, the horizontal one is positioned lower on the basic stamps. This display proves the top half of a right hand pane was affected, the lower half carrying no overprint at all.
 
Album page from the Hurst Collection displaying his research where the overprint layout is shown as a printed green overlay on a light grey background of Cape ˝d stamps. An impressive number of stamps have been located and allocated to their likely positions within the setting, including:
 
1) Row 1 / column 1: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The vertical is transposed, reading ‘Bechuanaland / British’. Fine and fresh unused, without gum. BPA certificate (2023). SG 30c var.
 
2) Row 1 / columns 5-6: Horizontal PAIR showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The right stamp with ‘British’ omitted and shows only a small part of ‘Bechuanaland’ vertically at left. Very fine mint with light hinge remnants. SG 30c, 30c var.
 
3) Row 2 / column 1: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The vertical is transposed, reading ‘Bechuanaland / British’. Fine unused with large hinge remnant and trace of gum. RPSL certificate (1950). SG 30c var.
 
4) Row 2 / column 3: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The vertical with ‘British’ omitted, reading ‘Bechuanaland’ only. Fine unusued with trace of gum. RPSL certificate (1969). SG 30c var.
 
5) Row 2 / column 4: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. Fine fresh mint with odd stained perforation and hinge remnant. SG 30c
 
6) Row 3 / column 1: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The vertical is transposed, reading ‘Bechuanaland / British’. Very fine fresh mint with hinge remnant. SG 30c var.
 
7) Row 3 / column 4: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. Fine mint with some adherences on the reverse. SG 30c
 
8) Row 4 / column 3: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The vertical with ‘British’ omitted, reading ‘Bechuanaland’ only. Light gum wrinkle, otherwise fine fresh mint with hinge remnant. SG 30c var.
 
9) Rows 5-6 / column 5: VERTICAL PAIR showing the variety SE-TENANT WITH STAMP WITHOUT OVERPRINT. The upper stamp with vertical overprint shows a trace of ‘Bechuanaland’ on the perforations at right. Fine mint apart for some gum loss on the upper stamp and a shallow thin on the lower, not mentioned on RPSL certificate (1933, then listed as SG 30d). A major Bechuanaland rarity, being one of six possible pairs, of which five are known to exist, and only two of those are in private hands. SG 30ca
 
10) Left pane, Row 3 / column 6: Single cross-gutter example from the adjoining pane showing a normal overprint and ‘British’ overprinted vertically, falling on the interpanneau gutter margin. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnant. SG 30 var.
 
A magnificent assembly, impossible to reproduce and a brilliant example of original philatelic research at its finest.
£13,800
AB4375 1888 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Reconstruction of the setting layout for the error OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. Original research by Brian Hurst demonstrated that two half panes received a double overprint where one of the overprints is normal and the other is rotated through 90 degrees anticlockwise. Despite the identical positioning of the vertical overprint on both half panes, the horizontal one on this half pane is positioned higher on the basic stamps. This display proves the top half of a right hand pane was affected, the lower half carrying a normal overprint.
 
Album page from the Hurst Collection displaying his research where the overprint layout is shown as a printed green overlay on a light grey background of Cape ˝d stamps. A good number of stamps have been located and allocated to their likely positions within the setting, including:
 
1) Row 2 / column 3: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The vertical with ‘British’ omitted, reading ‘Bechuanaland’ only. Fine mint with slightly off-white gum. BPA certificate (1979). SG 30c var.
 
2) Row 3 / column 1: Single example with interpanneau gutter margin at left, showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The vertical is transposed, reading ‘Bechuanaland / British’. Also showing ‘British’ printed in the margin. A few gum wrinkles, otherwise very fine and fresh mint with faint hinge mark. SG 30c var.
 
3) Rows 5-6 / column 1: VERTICAL PAIR showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL, SE-TENANT IN PAIR WITH NORMAL. The upper stamp with vertical overprint transposed reading ‘Bechuanaland / British’. Very fine fresh mint with light himge marks on the upper stamp only. A major Bechuanaland rarity, being one of two surviving pairs, both of which are included here. Of the six pairs that could exist, four are known to have been split, all of which are included here. Ex Holmes, Visser. SG 30c var.
 
4) Row 5 / column 2: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The vertical is transposed, reading ‘Bechuanaland / British’. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge mark. RPSL certificate (2021). SG 30c var.
 
5) Row 5 / column 3: Single example showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The vertical with ‘British’ omitted, reading ‘Bechuanaland’ only. Fine mint with light hinge remnant. RPSL certificate (2021). SG 30c var.
 
6) Rows 5-6 / column 4: VERTICAL PAIR showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL, SE-TENANT IN PAIR WITH NORMAL. Horizontal crease at base of upper stamp otherwise very fine and fresh unmounted mint. A major Bechuanaland rarity, being one of two surviving pairs, both of which are included here. Of the six pairs that could exist, four are known to have been split, all of which are included here. SG 30c var.
 
7) Row 5 / columns 5-6: Horizontal PAIR showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE, ONE VERTICAL. The left stamp with vertical overprint showing ‘Bechuanaland’ omitted and the right with ‘British’ omitted. Horizontal crease across base, otherwise very fine and fresh mint with hinge remnant. SG 30c vars.
 
An impressive assembly, impossible to reproduce and a brilliant example of original philatelic research at its finest.
£9,000
VV212 1889 Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green. Showing major vertical shift of the overprint with part of ‘British’ appearing on the upper and lower perforations. A few very lightly stained perforations, otherwise fine mint. SG 30 var £125
AB4369 Forgery Cape of Good Hope ˝d grey-black overprinted with forged ‘British Bechuanaland’ in green which has been applied to a used stamp with an East London datestamp. The word ‘Bechuanaland’ is about 1mm too long. Forgeries of this issue are uncommon. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 30 (Forgery) £45
1891 CAPE 1d & 2d OVERPRINTED READING UP 'British Bechuanaland'
AB4377 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading upwards. Handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type BEC2) diagonally in violet-black. Very fine fresh mint with faint hinge mark. SG 31s £45
AB4378 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading upwards. Handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type BEC2) diagonally in violet-black. Hinge remnants, otherwise fine and fresh mint. SG 31s £35
AA3151 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red and 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type BEC2) diagonally in violet. Without gum. SG 31s-32s £65
AB2465 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red and 2d pale bistre with overprint reading upwards. Handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type BEC2) diagonally in violet-black. Very fine mint. SG 31s-32s £85
AB627 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red and 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Fine mint. SG 31-32 £12
AB4379 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red and 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Very fine or superb fresh mint, the 1d with light hinge mark and the 2d is unmounted. SG 31-32 £15
AB4380 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red and 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Fine used with light BONC cancellations. SG 31-32 £18
AB2481 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading upwards. Lower left corner block of four with interpanneau margin at left. The upper left stamp showing the constant flaw, 'dot in ‘u’' [row 9/1]. Very fine fresh mint with faint hinge mark on upper pair, the lower pair is unmounted. SG 31 £45
AB4388 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading upwards. Upper right corner marginal BLOCK OF SIX (3x2) showing plate number ‘7’ at top. Very fine or superb fresh unmounted mint with possible faint hinge marks on three stamps. SG 31 £150
AB2482 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading upwards. An irregular upper marginal block of eight, the lower centre stamp showing the progressive flaw ‘i’ in ‘British’ partially omitted [row 3/5]. Hinged in the margin, the stamps are all superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 31 £120
AB2347 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red with type-set overprint reading upwards. Re-joined marginal block of 24 from the top of the pane comprising two blocks of six (3x2) and a block of 12 (3x4). Brownish gum, otherwise fine unmounted mint. SG 31 £225
VV196 1891 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint (typeset) reading upwards. A left marginal BLOCK OF FOUR, the lower left stamp showing the Broken ‘e’ flaw. Superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 31, 31 var. £65
AB4381 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards with under-inked letters. Lower marginal example showing plate number ‘2’. Very fine mint with light hinge mark. SG 32 £20
AB2343 1891 Cape 2d (deep) bistre with stereo overprint reading up. Block of four, fresh mint with a light hinge on the upper pair, the lower pair is unmounted. SG 32 £25
AA3156 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Left marginal block of six. Very fine unmounted. SG 32 £40
AB2485 1891 Cape 2d (deep) bistre with stereo overprint reading upwards. An upper right corner marginal BLOCK OF SIX (3x2). Upper left stamp with diagonal crease, otherwise superb fresh unmounted mint (hinged on margin only). SG 32 £40
AB3788 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (stereo) reading upwards. Lower marginal BLOCK OF EIGHT (4x2). Faint hinge mark on two, otherwise very fine unmounted mint. SG 32 £50
AB4386 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading upwards. Lower right corner marginal BLOCK OF NINE showing plate number ‘2’. Very fine or superb mint with hinge remnants in margin and on three stamps, the balance are unmounted. SG 32 £125
AA3157 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Showing striking weak impression of the overprint. Very fine mint. SG 32 var. £45
AA3160 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Showing split 'B' of 'Bechuanaland' (stamp no. 37 left pane). Very fine mint. SG 32 var. £60
AA3161 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Showing stop between 'i' and 's' of 'British'. Very fine mint. SG 32 var. £45
AB4382 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Showing variety ‘o’ for ‘e’ in ‘Bechuanaland’. Hinge remnants otherwise fine mint. SG 32 var. £30
AB4391 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading upwards. Showing the varieties ‘b’ for ‘h’ and a Malformed ‘B’ in ‘Bechuanaland’. Very fine unmounted mint. SG 32 var.
 
Note: the ‘b’ is distinct and does not appear to be a damaged ‘h’.
£75
AB2436 1891 Cape 2d (pale) bistre with overprint reading upwards. Showing the ‘t’ of ‘British’ largely omitted. Small scuff marks suggest the omission may have been ‘assisted’. Fine used with light cancellation. SG 32 var £10
AA3162 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Horizontal pair right stamp showing stop between 'i' and 's' of 'British'. Very fine mint. SG 32 and var. £45
AB4385 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (stereo) reading upwards. BLOCK OF FOUR showing the ‘nail head’ at centre making this block plateable as from the right pane, rows 7-8, columns 5-6. Very fine or superb fresh unmounted mint with hinge mark on the upper pair only. SG 32 var.
 
Note: this flaw, in the form of a faint black circle, was produced by the head of one of the nails that secured the stereos remaining sufficiently proud to produce an image on the surface of the stamp.
£85
AB2379 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Horizontal pair, the left stamp showing the variety NO STOP AFTER ‘Bechuanaland’. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge marks. Very scarce. SG 32, 32a £275
AB4383 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Showing variety NO STOP AFTER ‘Bechuanaland’. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge mark. SG 32a £225
AA3159 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Showing variety NO STOP AFTER 'Bechuanaland'. Some faults, mint. SG 32a £95
AB4384 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Horizontal strip of three, the right stamp showing the variety NO STOP AFTER ‘Bechuanaland’. Very fine or superb fresh mint with light hinge mark on the centre stamp, the variety is unmounted. SG 32, 32a £275
AB4389 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (stereo) reading upwards. BLOCK OF 30 (6x5) comprising the top five rows of an upper left pane with margins on three sides showing plate number ‘2’ at top. Row 3/3 showing the variety ‘NO STOP AFTER ‘Bechuanaland’. Also showing various constant flaws including Stop and broken tail at base of ‘s’ of ‘British’ on positions R3/2, R3/4, R3/6, R7/2 and R7/6. Some very light gum toning and hinged on two stamps, otherwise all (including the variety) very fine unmounted mint. SG 32, 32a £325
AB4390 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (stereo) reading upwards. An UPPER LEFT PANE OF 60 with margins on three sides showing plate number ‘2’ at top. Row 3/3 showing the variety‘NO STOP AFTER ‘Bechuanaland’. Also showing various constant flaws including Stop and broken tail at base of ‘s’ of ‘British’ on positions R3/2, R3/4, R3/6, R7/2 and R7/6. Three stamps with light gum tones and some marginal perforations splitting, otherwise all (including the variety) are superb fresh unmounted mint. A rare multiple, especially so fine. SG 32, 32a £575
AB4387 1899 (26th April), Cape 2d bistre with overprint (stereo) reading upwards. Block of 24 comprising four rows across the pane with sheet margin at left and interpanneau margin at right. Plateable as positions 7-30 from the left pane, and includes the variety 'NO STOP AFTER ‘Bechuanaland’ on position 15 (SG 32a). The block shares 12 strikes of the very rare OOTSI / SOUTH AFRICA (26 AP 99) double circle datestamp. A few minor faults though a remarkable multiple. SG 32, 32a
 
Note: this datestamp appears almost identical in style to that of Crocodile Pools, which was the only other Bechuanaland datestamp known to have the words ‘South Africa’ at base. That territorial designation suggests it was probably intended for use at a railway telegraph office and this block may well emanate from a telegram. Since this postmark was first recorded in December 1988 (RP13, p.227) only one further example has been reported (RP16, p.277).
£850
AB2064 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Showing the variety NO STOP AFTER 'Bechuanaland'. Very fine used. SG 32a £225
AB3004 1891 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading upwards. Showing the variety NO STOP AFTER ‘Bechuanaland’. Fine used with light ‘676’ BONC. SG 32a £225
1891-1904 QV 'JUBILEE' ISSUE OF GB OVERPRINTED 'BRITISH BECHUANALAND'
AB3785 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ complete set of four, 1d to 6d, each handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ diagonally in shades of violet-black. (Samuel type BEC2). Superb fresh unmounted mint. Scarce so fine. SG 33s-36s £150
AB2927 1891 4d green and purple-brown handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type GB9). Very fine and fresh mint. Scarce. SG 35 specimen £40
VV235 1891-94 QV complete set of five, 1d to 1/-, very fine and fresh mint. SG 33-37 £30
VV177 1891-94 QV 1d to 1/-. The complete set of five in BLOCKS OF FOUR. Very fine or superb fresh unmounted mint (most are hinged on the upper pair only). Scarce and attractive group. SG 33-37 £250
VV178 1891-94 QV 1d to 1/-. The complete set of five in BLOCKS OF FOUR, one 4d with thin, otherwise fine to very fine used. A scarce assembly. SG 33-37 £85
AB2913 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 1d lilac. Block of four, the lower right stamp showing broken ‘A’ and ‘N’ of overprint. Very fine or superb fresh mint, hinged on the upper stamps only, the lower pair is unmounted. SG 33 £40
AB1907 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 1d lilac. Right marginal block of four, one with hint of a hinge mark, otherwise superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 33 £35
AB2149 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 1d lilac. Upper left corner marginal block of six. Hinged in margin and one stamp with small adhesion, otherwise superb unmounted mint. SG 33 £50
AB3779 1891 QV GB ‘Jubilee’ 1d lilac. Right marginal BLOCK OF 12 (3x4) superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 33 £110
AB2924 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 2d grey-green and carmine. Block of four, the upper right stamp showing broken second ‘I’ in 'BRITISH'. Light hinge marks on one otherwise very fine unmounted mint. SG 34 £100
AB2912 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 2d grey-green and carmine, block of six (3x2). Superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 34 £165
AA2346 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 2d grey-green and carmine. Block of nine, superb and fresh unmounted. SG 34 £225
AB3766 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 4d green and purple-brown. Vertical strip of four from the left of an upper right pane with margins at left and base showing interpanneau ‘pillars’. Stamps 1 and 3 with broken letters of overprint (‘H’ and ‘B’ respectively). Light gum bend otherwise very fine and fresh u/m mint. An attractive multiple. SG 35 var £75
VV206 1891 GB QV 'Jubilee' 6d purple on rose-red. BLOCK OF FOUR, superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 36 £55
AB3513 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 6d purple on rose-red. BLOCK OF FOUR, faint hinge mark on one, otherwise superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 36 £45
AB3331 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 6d purple on rose-red. Block of four, very fine used with FRANCESTOWN / S. AFRICA (AU 31 / 98) single circle datestamps. SG 36 £25
AB4269 1891 GB QV ‘Jubilee’ 6d purple on rose-red. Upper left corner marginal BLOCK OF TEN (5x2) showing ‘arrow’ guide marking above stamps 4 and 5. A few split perforations, otherwise very fine used with small PALAPYE (AU 1 / 93) single circle datestamps. An impressive multiple with a scarce datestamp. SG 36
 
Note: this block appears to emanate from the same pane as a block of 18 bearing identical datestamps which offered on the Besançon sale (3rd June 2024, lot 2254).
£150
1893-95 CAPE 1d & 2d OVERPRINTED READING DOWN 'British Bechuanaland'
AB4407 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 38 £10
AB4408 1893-95 Cape 1d rose-red and 2d bistre with overprint reading downwards. Hinge remnants, otherwise very fine mint. SG 38-39 £15
AB2564 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. A lower right corner marginal BLOCK OF FOUR. Very fine or superb fresh mint with hinge remnant on one stamp, the others are unmounted mint. SG 38 £30
AB4413 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Upper left corner marginal PLATE BLOCK OF FOUR from a left-hand pane showing platBroken ‘B’ in 'Bechuanaland' [Row 1/1]. Hinged in margins and possible faint small hinge mark on one, otherwise very fine unmounted mint. SG 38, 38var £75
AB2391 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. An upper marginal BLOCK OF SIX (3x2) with interpanneau margin at right. Showing guide marking and lower right stamp with constant flaw, Dot in ‘u’ [Row 2/6]. Some creasing and marginal stains, otherwise stamps very fine unmounted mint. SG 38 £25
AB4143 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Lower left corner marginal PLATE BLOCK OF SIX (3x2) showing plate number ‘7’ at base. A few gum wrinkles and the left margin creased and with printer’s ink marks. Very faint hinge mark in margin and on one stamp, otherwise very fine unmounted mint. A remarkably scarce plate block. SG 38 £150
AB4409 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Complete LOWER LEFT PANE OF 60 with margins on three sides showing plate number ‘7’ at base. Showing the constant varieties Broken ‘B’ in 'Bechuanaland' [Row 1/1], Dot in ‘u’ [Row 2/6] and Sliced ‘ch’ in 'Bechuanaland' [Row 10/6]. Three stamps with creases and a few marginal perforations splitting, otherwise all stamps are remarkably fresh unmounted mint. A rare multiple. SG 38 SOLD
AB4410 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. COMPLETE LOWER HALF SHEET OF 120 comprising two panes of 60 with margins on all sides, showing plate number ‘7’ at base of each pane. The left pane showing the constant varieties Broken ‘B’ [Row 1/1], Dot in ‘u’ [Row 2/6] and Sliced ‘ch’ in 'Bechuanaland' [Row 10/6]. The right pane showing SG listed varieties INVERTED ‘u’ FOR 2nd ‘n’ [Row 1/3], and NO DOTS TO ‘i’s OF 'British' [Row 1/4]. Also with unlisted varieties Deformed ‘h’ [Row 3/3], Broken ‘B’ [Row 10/1] and Weak ‘s’ [Row 10/4]. In addition, the overprint has been applied at an angle resulting in many stamps showing degrees of transposed overprint resulting in the lower left corner stamp [Row 10/1] with the rare listed variety ‘British’ OMITTED. Four stamps at top with light gum staining from mounting otherwise all are remarkably fresh unmounted mint. A spectacular and very rare, undoubtedly unique multiple. Ex Brian Hurst Collection and beautifully written up on his album page. SG 38, 38b, 38d, 38e £3,750
AB3697 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. An upper left corner marginal HORIZONTAL PAIR from a left hand pane, showing constant varieties ‘Broken ‘B’ and Scrambled ‘e’ in 'Bechuanaland' [Row 1/1] . Very fine fresh mint with light hinge mark. SG 38 var. £20
AB2823 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. BLOCK OF FOUR, the upper left stamp showing a Broken ‘B’ in ‘British’. Faint possible hinge mark on the upper pair, otherwise superb unmounted mint. SG 38 + var £25
AB2824 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. BLOCK OF FOUR, the lower left stamp showing a Broken ‘B’ in ‘Bechuanaland’. Very faint possible hinge mark on the upper pair, otherwise superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 38 + var £25
AB4414 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. BLOCK OF FOUR from a left-hand pane, the lower right stamp showing the constant variety Sliced ‘ch’ in 'Bechuanaland' [Row 10/6]. Possible faint hinge mark on one, otherwise superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 38, 38 var. £75
AB4422 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. BLOCK OF FOUR from a right-hand pane with interpanneau margin at left. The upper right stamp showing the variety ‘i’ in ‘British’ partially omitted [Row 8/2]. Very fine fresh mint with central hinge remnant. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 38, 38 var. £55
AB4423 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. From a right-hand pane showing the variety ‘i’ in ‘British’ omitted [Row 8/2], with only the dot remaining. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnants. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 38 var. £150
AB4415 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Marginal BLOCK OF FOUR from the upper right corner of a lower left-hand pane. The lower right stamp showing the constant variety Dot in ‘u’ in 'Bechuanaland [Row 2/6]. Very fine mint with light hinge remnants. SG 38, 38 var. £45
AB4424 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Showing the variety ‘British’ OMITTED entirely due to a shift of the overprint to the right, this stamp therefore emanates from column 1. Fresh mint with large hinge remainder and very lightly toned perforation at top mentioned on an otherwise clear BPA certificate (2015). Very rare. SG 38b £2,250
AB4425 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Showing the variety ‘British’ OMITTED entirely due to shift of the overprint to the right. Tied to small piece by Vryburg (20 SP / 94) single circle datestamp. The Broken ‘B’ and ‘c’ make it plateable as from the left-hand pane [Row 1/1]. Corner fault at upper left mentioned on an otherwise clear PFSA certificate (2003). Very rare. Ex the Brian Hurst Collection and beautifully written up on his album page. SG 38b
 
Note: Of the ten stamps that could exist one is in the Royal collection, a re-joined strip of five is in the Mosely collection in the British Library and one further used example is recorded (ex Inglefield-Watson and Besançon).
£1,700
AB4426 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Showing the major variety OVERPRINT TRANSPOSED, reading ‘Bechuanaland. / British’ with small part of ‘British’ falling on the right hand perforations. Fine mint with large hinge remainder. BPA certificate (1976). Rare. SG 38c
 
Note: unlike the transposed overprint on the 2d (SG 39d), it appears the 1d always shows some fraction of the word British’ at right. This stamp is believed to show the maximum extent of the variety and appears almost identical to one offered on the John Inglefield-Watson sale (Spink 2007, lot 1093).
£1,100
AB4420 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Lower right corner marginal PLATE BLOCK OF SIX (3x2) from a right-hand pane showing plate number ‘7’. The lower left stamp showing variety Partially Omitted ‘s’ in ‘British’ [Row 10/4]. Light hinge marks on two and marginal crease just into the corner stamp, otherwise very fine fresh mint. A remarkably scarce plate block. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 38, 38 var. (early stage of SG 38f) £250
AB4427 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. An upper marginal horizontal STRIP OF THREE from the right-hand pane [Row 1 / stamps 3-5] the left stamp showing the variety INVERTED ‘u’ FOR 2nd 'n' and the centre stamp NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF ‘British’. The stamps are all superb fresh unmounted mint with light hinge marks in the margin only. SG 38, 38d, 38e £275
AB4428 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. An upper marginal BLOCK OF FOUR from a lower right-hand pane, the upper left stamp showing the variety INVERTED ‘u’ FOR 2nd 'n' [Row 1/2] and the upper right stamp NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF ‘British’ [Row 1/4]. The stamps are all superb fresh unmounted mint with light hinge mark in the margin only. PFSA certificate (2000) for SG 38d (later renumbered to SG 38e as the inverted ‘u’ was not catalogued at that time). Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 38, 38d, 38e
 
Note: the presence of perforations through the upper margin implies this block emanates from a lower right-hand pane.
£275
AB3764 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. From a right-hand pane showing the variety NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF 'British'. Hinge remnants, otherwise very fine fresh mint. SG 38e £120
AB4429 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. From a right-hand pane, showing the variety NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF ‘British’. [Row 1/4]. Pulled perforation at lower right, otherwise very fine fresh mint with hinge remnants. SG 38e £65
AA6420 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Upper marginal vertical pair, upper stamp showing variety NO DOTS TO 'i' OF 'British'. Exceptionally fine and fresh unmounted. SG 38, 38e £200
AB4430 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Horizontal STRIP OF THREE from a right-hand pane, the left stamp showing the variety INVERTED 'u' FOR 2nd 'n' [Row 1/3] and the centre stamp NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF ‘British’ [Row 1/4]. Fine used with LOBATSI / B.P (MY 18 / 12) single circle datestamps. SG 38, 38d, 38e £225
VV201 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Rejoined horizontal PAIR (right pane, row 1, stamps 4-5). The left stamp showing the variety NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF ‘British’ [R1/4]. Fine used with MAFEKING (AP 4 / 94) single circle datestamps. SG 38, 38e £120
AB4421 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. BLOCK OF FOUR, the lower left stamp showing the variety 's' COMPLETELY OMITTED in ‘British’ [Row 10/4]. Fresh mint with hinge remnants on the upper pair, the lower pair, including the variety is unmounted. A very rare variety, especially with the letter entirely failing to print. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 38, 38f £650
AB4416 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. From a right-hand pane showing the constant variety Deformed ‘h’ in 'Bechuanaland' [Row 3/3]. Mint with several hinge remnants. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 38 var. £5
AB4418 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. From a left-hand pane showing the constant variety ‘l’ of ‘Bechuanaland’ partially omitted [Row 9/4]. Fair mint with heavy hinge remnants. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 38 var. £8
AB4417 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. From a right-hand pane showing the constant variety Broken ‘B’ in ‘British’ [Row 10/1]. Fine used with PALAPYE (NO 2?/98) single circle datestamp. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 38 var. £10
AB4419 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. From a right-hand pane showing constant variety ‘t’ in ‘British’ partially omitted [Row 8/6]. Fine used. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 38 var. £8
AB4411 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Horizontal pair, the right stamp showing the constant variety Sliced ‘ch’ in 'Bechuanaland' [Row 10/6]. Fresh mint with hinge remnants. SG 38, 38 var. £45
AB4412 1893 Cape 1d carmine-red with overprint reading downwards. Lower marginal BLOCK OF FOUR, the lower right stamp showing the constant variety Sliced ‘ch’ in 'Bechuanaland [Row 10/6]. Hinge remnant in the margin only, the stamps are superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 38, 38 var. £125
AB4431 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. An upper left corner marginal HORIZONTAL PAIR with plate number ‘2’ at top. The corner stamp shows the constant variety Broken ‘B’ and ‘c’ in ‘Bechuanaland’ [Row 1/1]. Some mainly marginal discolouration and hinge remainder, the stamps are fine unmounted mint. SG 39, vars. £75
AB2397 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading downwards. BLOCK OF FOUR showing overprint shifted to the left. Paper wrinkle affects the right pair, otherwise very fine unmounted mint. SG 39 £45
VV191 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Lower left corner marginal BLOCK OF EIGHT (4x2). Hinged in margin only, the stamps superb unmounted mint. SG 39 £90
AB4435 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Lower marginal BLOCK OF 12 comprising two blocks of six (2x3) separated by the interpanneau gutter. The block of six from the left pane showing the variety Sliced ‘ch’ in ‘Bechuanaland’ [Row 10/6] and the right pane block with Broken ‘B’ in ‘British’ [Row 10/1]. Superb fresh unmounted mint. A scarce positional multiple. SG 39, 39 vars. £275
AB4432 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Lower right corner marginal BLOCK OF 30 (6x5) from a right-hand pane with plate number ‘2’ at base. Showing several constant varieties including Broken ‘B’ in ‘British’ [Row 10/1]. Some perforations splitting at base. Hinge remnants in margin and also on five stamps, otherwise very fine unmounted mint. SG 39, 39 var. £350
VV193 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. A right marginal BLOCK OF 36 (6x6) comprising two re-joined blocks of 18. Hinge reinforcing across 12 stamps, the others superb unmounted mint. SG 39 £325
VV194 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. BLOCK OF 48 (6x8) comprising the upper eight rows of a left-hand pane (split between rows five and six) with margins on three sides and showing plate number ‘2’ in the upper margin. Hinge marks on two and in margin, otherwise superb unmounted mint. A very scarce multiple. SG 39 £450
AB4434 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. COMPLETE UPPER LEFT PANE OF 60 with margins on all sides with plate number ‘2’ at top. Showing several varieties including Broken ‘B’ and ‘c’ in ‘Bechuanaland’ [Row 1/1], Partially omitted ‘l’ in ‘Bechuanaland’ [Row 9/4] and Sliced ‘ch’ in ‘Bechuanaland’ [Row 10/6]. A horizontal crease affects rows 4 and 10 otherwise very fine fresh unmounted mint with. A scarce multiple. SG 39, 39 vars. SOLD
AB4439 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. The overprints are displaced to the right, separated and of equal intensity, indicating issue at Mochudi. Fine mint with hinge remainders. Very rare. Ex Visser collection. SG 39a £1,100
AB4442 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. The overprints are displaced to the right, separated and of equal intensity, indicating issue at Mochudi. From a right-hand pane showing variety First ‘i’ in ‘British’ partially omitted [Row 8/2]. Fine mint with light hinge remnants. Very rare. RPS certificate (1956). Ex Hunt and Brian Hurst Collections. SG 39a £1,100
AB4441 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. The overprints are both central, separated diagonally and with one lighter than the other, indicating issue at Gaberones. From a right-hand pane showing the variety INVERTED ‘u’ FOR 2nd ‘n’ [Row 1/3]. Ink endorsement on gum, not mentioned on clear RPS certificate (2009). A rare variety on a variety. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 39a+e £1,200
AB4440 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. The overprints are almost coincident and of equal intensity, indicating issue at Mafeking. Piece missing at base, the stamp has been overlaid on a normal stamp for display. Otherwise fine mint. The ‘Mafeking Double’ is extremely rare mint, this being the only recorded example. Ex the Brian Hurst collection. SG 39a £225
AB4178 1895 Cape 2d pale bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. The overprints are displaced to the right, separated and of equal intensity, indicating issue at Mochudi. Very fine used with a confirming MOCHUDI (SP 24 / 98) single circle datestamp. BPA certificate (1980) Rare. SG 39a £575
AB4438 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. The overprints are displaced to the right, separated and of equal intensity, indicating issue at Mochudi. Very fine used, tied to small piece by a confirming MOCHUDI (SP 24 / 98) single circle datestamp. Rare. SG 39a £575
AB3908 1895 Cape 2d pale bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. The overprints are both central, separated diagonally with one lighter than the other, indicating issue at Gaberones. Fine used with part of a confirming GABERONES single circle datestamp. The basic stamp also shows a plate flaw – small indent to right of lower tablet. Rare. SG 39a £575
VV207 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT DOUBLE. The two overprints are almost coincident and of equal intensity, indicating use at Mafeking. Fine used with light squared circle datestamp. Rare. SG 39a £550
AB4443 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety ‘British’ OMITTED. Plateable as being from the first vertical column with overprint displaced to the right. Very fine mint with hinge remainders. Rare, especially with no trace of 'British'. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 39b £650
AB4444 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety ‘British’ OMITTED. Plateable as being from the first vertical column with overprint displaced to the right. Very fine mint with hinge remainders. Very scarce. BPA certificate (2000). SG 39b £650
AB2973 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. A left marginal example showing the variety ‘British’ OMITTED due to a shift of the overprint to the right. Very fine, lightly hinged mint. Rare, especially with no trace of ‘British’. SG 39b £725
AB2867 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading down. Showing the variety ‘British’ OMITTED due to shift of the overprint to the right. Fine used with part Ramoutsa single circle datestamp. Rare, especially with no trace of ‘British’. SG 39b
 
Note: the lack of the word ‘British’ at left indicates this stamp emanates from a left hand column.
£375
AB3403 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety ‘British’ OMITTED due to shift of overprint to the right. Fine used with part Mafeking single circle datestamp (FE 21 / 96). Rare, especially with no trace of ‘British’. SG 39b
 
Note: the lack of the word ‘British’ at left indicates this stamp emanates from a left hand column.
£375
AB4445 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety ‘British’ OMITTED. Used with BONC cancellation. Fine used apart from blue ink marks and (very light) tone at upper right mentioned on a BPA (2014) certificate. A PFSA certificate (1989) states the blue ink is part of a postmark. Very scarce. SG 39b
 
Note: the lack of the word ‘British’ at left indicates this stamp emanates from a left hand column.
£200
AB2486 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT TRANSPOSED reading ‘Bechuanaland. / British’. Large hinge mark, otherwise fine mint. Rare. SG 39d £300
AB4177 1895 Cape 2d bistre with (typeset) overprint reading down. Showing the variety OVERPRINT TRANSPOSED reading ‘Bechuanaland. / British’ due to a shift of the overprint. Very fine mint with light hinge remnant. Rare. SG 39d £375
AB4449 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT TRANSPOSED reading 'Bechuanaland. / British' due to a shift of the overprint. Toned gum, otherwise fine mint. Very scarce. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 39d £150
AB4450 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety overprint largely TRANSPOSED due to a shift of the overprint, with a small part of a second ‘Bechuanaland’ visible at left. Hinge remnants, otherwise fine mint. Scarce. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 39d £200
AB4446 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. A lower marginal BLOCK OF FOUR showing plate number ‘2’. All stamps with the OVERPRINT TRANSPOSED reading 'Bechuanaland. / British' due to a shift of the overprint. Plateable as being from a right-hand pane [Rows 9-10 / columns 4-5]. Each with hinge marks or remnants, otherwise very fine mint. A rare multiple. SG 39d £1,500
AB4448 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT TRANSPOSED reading 'Bechuanaland. / British' due to a shift of the overprint. Rather heavy hinge remnants, otherwise very fine mint. Very scarce. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 39d £300
AB3404 1895 Cape 2d bistre with (typeset) overprint reading downwards. Showing the variety OVERPRINT TRANSPOSED reading ‘Bechuanaland. / British’. Faint hint of a horizontal bend at foot, otherwise very fine used with RAMOUTSA (MY 21 / 95) single circle datestamp. Scarce. SG 39d £225
AB4447 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards (heavily inked). Showing the variety OVERPRINT TRANSPOSED reading 'Bechuanaland. / British due to a shift of the overprint. Fine used, tied to small piece by a GABERONES / B.P. datestamp and registration cachet. BPA certificate (1983, then listed as SG 39c). SG 39d £250
AB4451 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Upper marginal BLOCK OF SIX (3x2) from a right-hand pane [Rows 1-2, stamps 1-3] with the upper right stamp [Row 1/3] showing the variety INVERTED ‘u’ for 2nd ‘n’. Superb fresh unmounted mint. Ex Visser. SG 39, 39e £325
AB4452 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Upper marginal BLOCK OF NINE (3x3) from a right-hand pane with the upper right stamp showing the variety INVERTED ‘u’ FOR 2nd ‘n’ [Row 1/3] and the lower right stamp with Deformed ‘h’ in ‘Bechuanaland' [Row 3/3]. Unobtrusive light vertical crease in the right-hand column and some trimmed perforations at lower left, otherwise superb fresh unmounted mint. Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 39, 39e, 39 var. £225
AB4453 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. COMPLETE UPPER HALF SHEET OF 120 comprising two panes of 60 with margins on all sides, showing plate number ‘7’ at top of each pane. The left pane showing constant varieties Broken ‘B’ in 'Bechuanaland.' [1], Dot in ‘u’ [12] and Sliced ‘ch’ [60]. The right pane with SG listed varieties INVERTED ‘u’ FOR ‘n’ [3], and NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF 'British' [4]. Also Deformed ‘h’ [15], Broken ‘B’ [55] and Weak ‘s’ [58]. Some faults including unobtrusive creasing affects two columns and a fair amount of split perforations have been reinforced. Otherwise fine mint with many stamps remaining unmounted. A rare survivor. Ex the Brian Hurst Collection and beautifully written up on his album page. SG 39, 39e, 39f £850
AB4454 1895 Cape 2d bistre with over-print (typeset) reading downwards. Upper marginal BLOCK OF FOUR from the right pane showing the varieties INVERTED ‘u’ FOR 2nd ‘n’ [Row 1/3] and NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF ‘British’ [Row 1/4]. Very fine or superb mint, hinged in the margin and almost imperceptible hinge mark on the lower pair, the upper pair with both varieties is unmounted. A rare multiple. Ex Visser. SG 39, 39e, 39f
 
Note: the presence of perforations through the upper margin implies this block emanates from a lower right-hand pane.
£450
AB4455 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Upper marginal BLOCK OF FOUR from the right pane showing the varieties INVERTED ‘u’ FOR 2nd ‘n’ [Row 1/3] and NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF ‘British’ [Row 1/4]. Hinged in the margin only, the stamps are very fine unmounted mint. A rare multiple. PFSA certificate (2000, then listed as SG 39d). Ex Brian Hurst Collection. SG 39, 39e, 39f
 
Note: the lack of perforations through the upper margin implies this block emanates from an upper right-hand pane.
£475
AB4458 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Horizontal STRIP OF THREE from a right-hand pane, the left stamp showing variety INVERTED ‘u’ FOR 2nd ‘n’ [Row 1/3] and the centre stamp NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF ‘British’ [Row 1/4]. Fine used with LOBATSI / B.P (MY 18 / 12) single circle datestamps. SG 39, 39e, 39f £225
AB4456 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. From a right-hand pane showing variety NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF 'British' [Row 1/4]. Very fine mint with hinge remnant. SG 39f £175
AB3765 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. From a right-hand pane showing variety NO DOTS TO 'i' OF 'British' [Row 1/4]. Slightly rounded lower left corner and gum fractionally yellowed, otherwise fine mint with hinge remnant. SG 39f £75
AB4457 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. An upper marginal HORIZONTAL PAIR from a right-hand pane, the left stamp showing the variety NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF 'British' [Row 1/4]. Superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 39, 39f
 
Note: the presence of perforations through the upper margin implies this block emanates from a lower right-hand pane.
£225
AB2769 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing spaced ‘h’ and ‘u’ of ‘Bechuanaland’. Fine mint. SG 39 var £15
AB4433 1893 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading downwards. HORIZONTAL PAIR from a left-hand pane with a reduced margin at base. The right stamp showing the constant variety Sliced ‘ch’ in 'Bechuanaland' [Row 10/6]. Fresh mint with hinge remnants. SG 39, 39 var. £55
AB4436 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety Broken ‘B’ in ‘British’ [Row 10/1]. A distinctly heavy overprint. Large hinge remnants, otherwise fine mint. SG 39 var. £25
AB4437 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the overprint shifted to the right resulting in part of ‘British’ falling on the perforations at left. Superb fresh unmounted mint. SG 39 var. £65
AB2566 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading downwards. Showing varieties Broken ‘B’ in ‘Bechuanaland’ and overprint largely transposed. Fair used with BONC cancel. SG 39 vars. £45
AB2568 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint reading downwards. Showing the variety overprint largely transposed. Fine used with light circular datestamp. SG 39 var. £75
VV219 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. Showing the variety ‘British’ largely omitted due to shift of overprint to the right with only the base of ‘British’ appearing on the perforations at right. Fine used with light cancellation. SG 39 var.
 
Note: the lack of the word ‘British’ at left indicates this stamp emanates from a left hand column.
£125
AB4459 LAST DAY OF BRITISH BECHUANALAND 1895 Cape 2d bistre with overprint (typeset) reading downwards. HORIZONTAL PAIR very fine used with neat MAFEKING / BECHUANALAND (NO 15 / 95) single circle datestamps. SG 39
 
Note: this was the final day of use as British Bechuanaland was incorporated into the Cape Colony at midnight on the 15th November 1895.
£55
AB4460 REVENUE USE 1893-95 Cape 1d carmine-red and 2d bistre with overprint reading downwards used for revenue purposes. Comprising: 1d and 2d (two singles of each) and 1d block of eight (4x2) which includes two listed SG varieties: the upper left stamp with INVERTED ‘u’ FOR 2nd ‘n’ [Row 1/3] and the adjacent stamp to the right NO DOTS TO ‘i’ OF ‘British’ [Row 1/4]. All fine used with manuscript and/or handstamp cancellations. Ex the Brian Hurst Collection and beautifully written up on his album page. SG 38, 38d, 38e, 39 £150
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