ZUID-AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK / TRANSVAAL
Recent acquisitions are numbered in blue. Last update: 21st September, 2024
FIRST REPUBLIC
POSTAGE STAMPS
Otto printings
Viljoen printings
T2704 1870 Viljoen printing on thin gummed German paper, imperforate. 1d carmine-red with close to large margins. Two small tears at base, otherwise fine used with central target-type cancellation. SG 8b £55
MT188 1870 Viljoen printing on thin gummed paper from Germany, fine roulette. 1d carmine-red, mint with some original gum. Small inclusion below Eagle. Plateable as position [L8], A rare stamp. Ex. Drysdall. SG 10 £725
T1965 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper, imperforate. 1d pale rose-red with very good to large, even margins. Very fine unused (without gum). BPA certificate (1976). SG 13 £125
T1966 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper, imperforate. 1d pale rose-red with good to very good margins. Very fine mint with typical yellow streaky gum. SG 13 £110
T1968 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper, imperforate. 1d pale rose-red with good to very large margins. The browned streaky gum has stained the paper. SG 13 £75
T1969 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper, imperforate. 1d carmine-red with close large margins. Very fine unused (without gum). SG 13a £75
T1970 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper, imperforate. 1d carmine-red with close large margins. Very fine unused (without gum). SG 13a £75
T1974 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper, imperforate. 1d carmine-red, with good to very good, even margins. Very fine unused (without gum). SG 13a £75
T1975 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper, imperforate. 1d carmine-red, with good to very good, even margins. Fine mint with dry streaky gum. SG 13a SOLD
T2737 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper, imperforate. 1d carmine-red, with close to enormous margins. Very fine unused (without gum). SG 13a £85
T1973 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper, imperforate. 1d carmine-red, horizontal pair with large to very large, even margins. Very fine unused (without gum). A scarce multiple. SG 13a £250
T1977 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper. 1/- yellow-green (a brighter shade), imperforate with close to enormous, even margins. Fine mint with hinge remnants. SG 14 £175
T1978 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper. 1/- yellow-green (a deeper shade), imperforate with very good to large, even margins. Small stain at right, otherwise fine mint. SG 14 £175
T1925 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper. 1/- yellow-green, imperforate with close to good margins. Fine used with a light target-type cancellation. SG 14 £110
T1950 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper. 1/- yellow-green, imperforate with good to large margins. Showing over-inked / heavily impressed left frame line. Fine used with two target-type cancellations. SG 14 £150
T1980 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper. 1/- in an unusually deep green shade, imperforate with close to very large margins. Showing irregular inking in the right margin. Fine used with a central target-type cancellation. SG 14 £150
T1982 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper. 1/- yellow-green, imperforate with good to very good, even margins. Fine used with target-type cancellation struck in grey-blue. Marginal thin at top, otherwise very fine. SG 14 £150
T1984 1870 Viljoen printing on thick hard paper. 1/- in an unusually deep green shade, imperforate with close margins all round, almost touching at base. Fine used with central target-type cancellation struck in black. SG 14 £125
T2744 1870 Viljoen printing on medium paper, fine roulette. 1d crimson with good to very good margins. Printed from an over-inked plate. Very fine unused (without gum). SG 18b £125
T2724 1870 Viljoen printing on medium paper fine roulette. 6d ultramarine with good to large margins. Fine used with part target-type cancellation. SG 19 £65
T2706 1870 Viljoen printing on medium paper, fine roulette. 1/- deep green with close to large, even margins. Marginal thin at right, otherwise fine unused with trace of gum and hinge remnants. Scarce. SG 20 £125
Borrius printings
T2739 1870 Borrius printing on stout paper, fine roulette. 1d (intense) black with good to large, even margins, very fine unused (without gum). SG 22 SOLD
T2740 1870 Borrius printing on stout paper, fine roulette. 1d grey-black with good to enormous margins. very fine unused (without gum). Despite appearing to be from the right edge of the pane, this stamp is plateable as position [L31]. SG 22a £30
Otto printing 3d
Borrius printings
T747 1872-74 Borrius printing on thin transparent paper, fine roulette. 6d ultramarine. Small marginal thin, otherwise very fine used with ‘X’ pen cancellation. Attractive. SG 27 £25
T2705 1872 Borrius printing 1d carmine-red on thinnish opaque paper, fine roulette with good to very good even margins. Unusually over-inked for Borrius, almost resembling a Viljoen production. Hint of a hinge thin, otherwise fine unused without gum. SG 29a £75
T2200 1872-74 Borrius printing on thinnish opaque paper, fine roulette. 6d (very deep dull) ultramarine with good to enormous margins. Plateable as position [L1]. Fine used with rather over-inked target-type cancellation. SG 31 £50
T2205 1872-74 Borrius printing on thinnish opaque paper, fine roulette. 6d (dull) ultramarine with good to large margins. Fine used with part of an over-inked cancellation. SG 31 £35
MT199 1872 Borrius printing on thinnish opaque paper, fine roulette, 1/- yellow-green. Small fault at upper left, fine unmounted. SG 32 SOLD
T2139 1873-74 Borrius printing on thickish wove paper, fine roulette. 6d deep dull blue with very good to large margins. Very fine used with light target-type cancellations. Plateable as position [R2]. SG 34a £65
T2716 1873-74 Borrius printing on thickish wove paper, fine roulette. 6d deep dull blue with good, even margins. Showing erratic inking along length of right frame line. Fine used with pen cancellation. Plateable as position [R16]. SG 34a £55
Davis Printings
Otto Printing 6d with ‘improved folded wings’
Stamp Commission Printings
T2675 1875-77 Stamp commission printing on semi-pelure paper, imperforate. 1d orange-red with large to enormous margins. Very fine unused (without gum). SG 43 £150
T2111 1875-77 Stamp commission printing on semi-pelure paper, imperforate. 1d orange-red with very good to very large margins. Very fine used with a partial light target-type cancellation overstruck with a transit or arrival datestamp. SG 43 £75
T2112 1875-77 Stamp commission printing on semi-pelure paper, imperforate. 1d orange-red with very good to enormous margins. Plateable as position [L32]. Light corner creasing, otherwise superb used with a light ‘10’ target-type cancellation of M.W. Stroom. Lovely. SG 43 £110
T2121 1875-77 Stamp commission printing on semi-pelure paper, imperforate. 6d (dull) blue with close to very good margins. Tiny pin hole, apparently resulting from impurities in the paper. Otherwise fine used with ‘10’ target-type cancellation of M.W.Stroom. SG 45 £45
T2123 1875-77 Stamp commission printing on semi-pelure paper, imperforate. 6d milky-blue with good to very large margins. Appears to be plateable as [L19]. Tiny pin hole, apparently resulting from impurities in the paper. Otherwise very fine unused (without gum). A very scarce stamp. SG 45a £125
T2128 1875-77 Stamp commission printing on semi-pelure paper, imperforate. 6d milky-blue with good to large margins. Appears to be plateable as [L25]. Very fine used on small piece with ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. SG 45a £55
T2129 1875-77 Stamp commission printing on semi-pelure paper, imperforate. 6d milky-blue (bright shade), an upper marginal example with very good margins on the other sides. Plateable as position [L6]. Tiny pinhole from small hinge thin and unobtrusive vertical crease. Otherwise fine used with ‘8’ target-type cancellation of Zeerust. SG 45a £45
T2676 1875-76 Stamp commission printing on pelure paper, imperforate. 1d orange-red with large to very large margins. Fine used with target-type cancellation. SG 52a £55
T2075 1876 Stamp Commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 1d (brownish) bright red with large to enormous margins. Plateable as position [R37]. Very fine used with target-type cancellation. SG 61 £55
T2076 1876 Stamp Commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 1d (brownish) bright red with close to very large margins. Fine used with target-type cancellation. SG 61 £55
T2078 1876 Stamp Commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 1d (brownish) bright red with good to enormous margins. Fine used with light target-type cancellation. SG 61 £45
T2085 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper. 6d bright blue, imperforate, with good to very large margins. Fine used with ‘7’ target-type cancellation of Lichtenburg. SG 63 £45
T2086 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper. 6d (deep) bright blue, imperforate, with good to very good margins. Marginal thin at top, otherwise fine used with numeral target-type cancellation. SG 63 £25
T2087 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper. 6d bright blue, imperforate, with close to large margins. Fine used with ‘14’ target-type cancellation of Pilgrim’s Rest. SG 63 £30
T2088 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper. 6d bright blue, imperforate, with good, even margins. Fine used with ‘9’ target-type cancellation of Heidelberg. SG 63 £45
T2721 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 6d bright blue, with good to very good margins. Fine used with neat ‘8’ target-type cancellation of Zeerust. Plateable as position [L5]. SG 63 £45
T2093 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper. 6d bright blue, imperforate, with good to very good margins. Plateable as position [R20]. Fine used with numeral target-type cancellation. SG 63 £45
T2710 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 6d bright blue (deep shade) with close to enormous margins showing part of adjoining stamp at top. Fine used with rather blurry target-type cancellation. Plateable as position [L9]. SG 63 £55
T2718 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 6d bright blue with close to good margins. Fine used with light target-type cancellation. Plateable as position [R30]. SG 63 £45
T2090 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper. 6d bright blue, imperforate, with close to large margins. Showing the ‘R’ of ‘AFR’ completely inked out (an apparently transient flaw). Fine used with part of light target-type cancellation. SG 63 var £55
T1915 1876 Stamp Commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 6d deep blue with very good to large margins. Corner fault at lower left, otherwise fine used with manuscript ‘X’ cancellation. SG 63c £20
T2094 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 6d deep blue with very good to very large margins. Fine used with numeral target-type cancellation. SG 63c £45
T2099 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 6d deep blue with large to very large margins. Showing a prominent flaw above ‘TZ’ of ‘POSTZEGEL’, plateable as position [L18]. Very fine used with a very light target-type cancellation. SG 63c £65
T2091 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 6d deep blue with good to large margins. Showing the ‘ZES’ flaw position [L36]. Small corner creases, otherwise fine used with ‘26’ target-type cancellation, currently unattributed to a specific postal agency though probably Sterkfontein (TP111, p71). A very scarce variety and a rare postmark. SG 63c var £125
T2713 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper. 6d bright blue (deep shade), fine roulette with good to large, even margins. Fine used with a light target-type cancellation. Scarce. SG 66 £160
T2103 1876 Stamp commission printing on stout hard-surfaced paper, 6d bright blue (over-inked, very deep shade), fine roulette with good to very large margins. Fine used with two target-type cancellations. Plateable as position [R23]. SG 66
 
Note: although clearly a deep blue shade, the reverse does not have the greyish appearance for it to qualify as SG 66a, the listed ‘deep blue’.
£150
First British Occupation
1877 Overprinted 'V. R. / TRANSVAAL.' in red capital letters
1877 Overprinted 'V. R. / TRANSVAAL.' in black capital letters
T2731 1877 overprints in black on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 1d bright red with very good to large, even margins, fine mint with several hinge remnants. SG 98 SOLD
T478 1877 overprints in black on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 1d bright red, fine used with light ‘1’ target cancel of Pretoria. SG 98 £25
T1939 1877 overprints in black on stout hard-surfaced paper, imperforate. 1d bright red with close to large, even margins. Very fine used with light ‘23’ target-type numeral cancellation of Emigratie. SG 98 £35
T2044 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 1d brick red with close to good margins. Hinge remnants, otherwise very fine mint. SG 101 £40
T2046 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 1d brick red with close margins. Hinge remnants and gum loss from hinge removal resulting in a shallow thin, otherwise fine mint. SG 101 £25
T2041 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 1d brick red with close (touching at upper right) to very good margins. Small faults include two pinholes and a small marginal thin. Otherwise fresh mint. SG 101 £10
T2042 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 1d brick red over-inked impression with good to very good margins. Hinge remnants, otherwise very fine mint. SG 101 £35
T482 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 1d brick red on fine used with light target cancels. SG 101 £30
T2055 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d dull blue with close to large margins. Fine used with numeral target-type cancellation. SG 103 £45
T1807 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d dull blue with good even margins. Fine used with light target-type cancellation. SG 103 £35
T1808 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d (pale) blue with good to very large, even margins. Fine used with light ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. SG 103 £45
T2742 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d dull blue with good to large margins. Fine used with light ‘1’ target-type cancellations of Pretoria. SG 103 SOLD
T669 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d blue with good to large margins. Few small thin spots, otherwise fine used with target-type cancellation. SG 103e £25
T2052 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d bright blue with close to enormous margins, showing portion of adjoining stamp at right. Very fine used with light target-type cancellation. Without any of the thinning so often found on this issue. SG 103e £75
T2054 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d bright blue with close (touching at lower left) to very good margins. Fine used with target-type cancellation and without any of the thinning so often found on this issue. SG 103e £30
T2056 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d bright blue with good, even margins. Fine used with a light cancellation. Without any of the thinning so often found on this issue. SG 103e £65
T2057 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d (deep) bright blue with good to very good mar-gins. Fine used with target-type cancellations. Without any of the thinning so often found on this issue. SG 103e £65
T2058 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d (deep) bright blue left marginal example with large to very large margins on the other sides. Appears plateable as position [R17]. Superb used with ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. Without any of the thinning so often found on this issue. Rare so fine. SG 103e £100
T2060 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 6d (very pale) bright blue with close to very large margins. Hint of a few tiny thin spots otherwise very fine used with target-type cancellation. A most attractive shade. SG 103e £55
T2065 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 1/- yellow-green with close to enormous margins. A few paper wrinkles, otherwise fine used with a target-type cancellation. SG 104 £75
T2066 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 1/- yellow-green with close to very good mar-gins. Small marginal thin at top, otherwise fine used with neat ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. SG 104 £55
T2067 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 1/- yellow-green with close to very large margins. Fault at left (crumpling resulting in a small thin), otherwise fine used with a light target-type cancellation and what appears to be black ink manuscript. SG 104 £30
T2068 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, imperforate. 1/- yellow-green with close to large margins. Very fine used with part of a light target-type cancellation struck on the upper right corner. Without any of the thinning so often found on this issue. SG 104 £75
T2202 1877 overprints in black on coarse, soft paper, fine roulette. 1d brick-red with clear to good margins. A rather over-inked impression, fine used with light target-type cancellation. Scarce. SG 105 £65
T2700 1877 overprints in black on coarse soft white paper, fine roulette. 1/- yellow-green, left marginal example with touching to enormous margins. The interpanneau margin at left shows wide rouletting which was sometimes used to separate the panes. Possible repair in lower margin, otherwise fine used with target-type cancellation and Cape Town transit datestamp. Scarce. SG 108 £85
T2722 1877 overprints in black on coarse soft white paper, fine roulette. 1/- yellow-green with close to enormous margins showing a fraction of the adjoining stamp at right. Hinge thin otherwise fine used with ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. Scarce. SG 108 £85
T2694 1877 6d blue on rose, imperforate with good to very good margins. Variety OVERPRINT INVERTED, fine used with neat ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. SG 113b £65
T2743 1877 6d blue on rose, fine roulette with very good to very large, even margins. Corner thin at upper right and unobtrusive diagonal crease, otherwise very fine used with target-type cancellation. SG 114 £55
1877-78 Overprinted 'V. R. / Transvaal' in upper and lower case
T2002 1877 1d red on blue, imperforate, with close to enormous margins. Corner crease at lower left, otherwise fine used with target-type cancellation. SG 116
 
Note: although this stamp exhibits a suggestion of rouletting, they are not clear enough to be definitive.
£45
T2006 1877 1d red on blue, imperforate with good to large margins. Badly thinned, though of good appearance. Otherwise fine used with numeral ‘13’ target-type cancellation of Lydenburg. SG 116 £15
T2007 1877 1d red on blue, imperforate lower marginal example with close to enormous margins. Three thin spots otherwise fine used with part of a numeral target-type cancellation. SG 116 £25
T2009 1877 1d red on orange, imperforate with very good to very large margins. Some gum adherence, otherwise very fine fresh mint. SG 117 £55
T2015 1877 1d red on orange, imperforate with very good margins. Some gum creasing, otherwise fine mint. SG 117 £40
T2011 1878 1d red on orange, overprinted with italic ‘V. R.’. An imperforate right marginal example showing part of the stamp above and with good to very good margins on the other sides. Some gum creasing, otherwise very fine, fresh mint. SG 117d £150
T2732 1878 1d red on orange, overprinted with italic ‘V. R.’, imperforate with close to very good margins. Very fine unused (without gum). SG 117d £65
T505 1878 3d mauve on buff, imperforate upper marginal example with good to large margins. Very fine used with target cancel. SG 118 £35
T646 1877 3d mauve on buff, imperforate upper marginal example with clear to good margins other sides. Fine used with light ‘9’ target cancel (Heidelberg). SG 118 £30
T2016 1877 mauve on buff, imperforate, with close (touching at right) to good margins. Fine used with numeral target-type cancellation. SG 118 £15
T2017 1877 3d mauve on buff, imperforate upper marginal example with close to enormous margins. Fine used with ‘1’ numeral target-type cancellation of Pretoria. SG 118 £30
T2018 1877 3d mauve on buff, imperforate upper marginal example with good to enormous margins. Showing unprinted area at upper right, probably due to oil or an intrusion on the plate. Very fine used with target-type cancellation. SG 118 £75
T2023 1877 3d mauve on buff, imperforate horizontal pair with close (touching at upper right) to good margins. Both stamps showing unprinted areas, the right stamp also showing missing ‘R.’ of overprint, all probably due to oil or grease on the plate. A few thins, otherwise fine used with ‘13’ target-type cancellation of Lydenburg. SG 118 £150
T2030 1879 3d mauve on green overprinted with italic ‘V. R.’. Imperforate, with close margins. Fine used with light ‘4’ numeral target-type cancellation of Klerksdorp, struck in blue. SG 119e £45
T2350 1879 3d mauve on green overprinted with italic ‘V. R.’. Imperforate lower marginal example with good to large margins. Fine used with light ‘10’ target-type cancellation of Marthinus Wesselstroom. SG 119e £65
T2697 1879 3d mauve on green overprinted with italic ‘V. R.’. Imperforate, with close to large margins. Hint of a thin, otherwise fine mint with hinge remnants. A scarce stamp in mint condition. SG 119e £140
T2025 1877 6d blue on green, imperforate with very good to large margins. Very fine used with ‘3’ target-type cancellation of Rustenburg. SG 120 £75
MT194 1877 6d blue on green, imperforate. Lower left corner copy showing proving flaws under 'EPUB' of 'REPUBLIEK', large to very large margins. Very fine used with light target cancel. SG 120 £85
T1394 1878 6d blue on blue, imperforate with good to large margins. Hinge thin, otherwise very fine used with part of a Pretoria datestamp. SG 121 £15
T1412 1878 6d blue on blue, imperforate with very large to enormous margins (showing part of adjoining stamp at left). Creased along upper frame line otherwise fine used with what appears to be the ‘31’ target-type cancellation attributed to Kalekaleskop (rare). SG 121 £30
T2036 1878 6d blue on blue, imperforate upper marginal example with close to enormous margins on the other three sides. Plateable as position [R1]. Thinned, otherwise fine used with ‘13’ numeral target-type cancellation of Lydenburg. SG 121 £45
T2203 1877 1d red on blue, with evidence of fine rouletting on three sides with close to enormous margins. A few very small hinge thins otherwise very fine used with ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. SG 122 £35
T2707 1877 1d red on blue, fine roulette with very good, even margins all round. Fine used with ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. SG 122 £55
T2728 1877 1d red on blue, fine roulette with just touching to very good margins. Fine used with target-type cancellation. SG 122 £30
T2733 1878 1d red on orange, overprinted with italic ‘V. R.’, lower marginal example, fine roulette (wide roulette ?) with close to enormous margins. Hint of a hinge thin, otherwise fine used with light target-type cancellation. Very scarce. SG 123b (SG 128a?) £75
T2681 1877 overprinted in black on 6d blue on green, fine roulette with very good, even margins. Fine used with ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. SG 126 £55
1878 Queen Victoria 'Bourne Head' Issue
T2588 1878-80 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design. An IMPERFORATE PLATE PROOF BLOCK OF 30 (5x6) of the 1d postage duty printed in black on thick white card, comprising the left half of a sheet with margins on three sides. An impressive and unique multiple, the right half of the sole sheet is believed to have been cut up in the 1960s. Ex Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Archives; Besançon collection (2019); David Underwood collection and beautifully written up on his display page.
 
Note: this multiple assisted Robson Lowe while preparing his plating monograph ‘Transvaal 1878-1880’ published in 1973.
£2,750
T2589 1880 Bradbury Wilkinson QV ‘Bourne Head’ design. An IMPERFORATE PLATE PROOF BLOCK OF FOUR of the ½d postage duty printed in brown on thin card, subsequently affixed to thick cream card, plateable as positions 3-4, 13-14. Attractive and very scarce. Ex Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Archives; Major Harold Criddle (1992); David Underwood collection, and beautifully written up on his display page.
 
Note: There appear to have been two sheets of the ½d duty printed in brown, one is deep brown on thin paper and the other is brown on thin card The deep brown on thin paper seems to have been entirely pen-cancelled before being cut up. The brown on thin card sheet which this block came from appears to exist in four formats: 1) this block mounted on thick card; 2) examples cut into multiples and singles; 3) a strip of four lightly handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ in pink; and 4) Printer’s Samples perforated ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel Type B1). It is likely all types emanate from one sheet.
£850
T2590 1880 Bradbury Wilkinson QV ‘Bourne Head’ ½d postage duty. An imperforate Plate Proof BLOCK OF 59 printed in an unissued colour of deep bright blue on thin card, subsequently mounted on very thick card. Comprising a complete pane of 60 (10x6), less one stamp removed at lower left. A spectacular, very attractive and unique multiple. Ex the David Underwood collection and beautifully written up on his display page.
 
Note: the Criddle (1992) and Drysdall (2006) auctions each contained a single ½d printed in blue, perforated ‘SPECIMEN’. It appears this stamp has not previously been recorded in this colour without the ‘SPECIMEN’ perforation. The sharpness of the impressions and the lack of a Specimen perforation would indicate these to be plate proofs rather than printer’s samples.
£6,750
T2591 1880 Bradbury Wilkinson QV ‘Bourne Head’ ½d postage duty. IMPERFORATE PRINTER'S SAMPLE of the ½d printed in an unissued colour deep bright blue on thin card, perforated ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type B1). Attractive and very scarce. Ex Criddle (1992); David Underwood collection. £650
T2761 1878 Bradbury Wilkinson QV ‘Bourne Head’ ½d postage duty. IMPERFORATE PRINTER'S SAMPLE of the ½d printed in brown, an unissued colour, on thin card, perforated ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type B1). Attractive and very scarce. SOLD
T2762 1878 Bradbury Wilkinson QV ‘Bourne Head’ 6d postage duty. IMPERFORATE PRINTER'S SAMPLE of the 6d printed in an unissued colour deep dull blue on thin card, perforated ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel type B1). With exceptionally large margins suggesting this emanates from a single plate or one with im-pressions spaced much further apart than that used for the issued stamps. Attractive and very rare. Not present in Criddle, Drysdall or Besançon collections. SOLD
T2592 1878-80 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design. Complete of seven postage duties, ½d, 1d, 3d, 4d, 6d, 1/- and 2/-, each handstamped ‘SPECIMEN’ (Samuel Type D8) in black (the 1d with handstamp double). Illustrated and discussed in ‘Specimen Stamps of the Crown Colonies’ by Marcus Samuel (Plate 10 and pages 41 and 238). A few faults as to be expected. Unique, being the sole examples known of any stamps of this issue handstamped or overprinted ‘SPECIMEN’. Ex the De La Rue Archives; Dr. Alan Drysdall (2006); Besançon (2019); David Underwood collection and beautifully written up on his display page. SG 133-139 Specimen.
 
Note: although De La Rue’s 1877 tender for the Transvaal contract was unsuccessful, it appears they kept a sample set of the successful Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. stamps for their records. One of the very few times the ‘SPECIMEN’ handstamp of one firm was applied to the stamps of another.
£4,500
T2596 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 1d pale red-brown. BLOCK OF FOUR, some reinforced splitting along horizontal perforations, otherwise very fine mint with hinge remnants. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 134 £110
T2597 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 1d pale red-brown Lower marginal BLOCK OF FOUR, imperforate between stamps and margin as usual. A few split perforations at top, otherwise very fine mint with hinge remnants on the upper pair. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 134 £125
T2598 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 1d pale red-brown. BLOCK OF 30 (5x6) from the right of the sheet with margins on three sides (all imperforate to margin as usual). A few split perforations, otherwise fine mint with streaky gum, a few light hinge remnants, the majority are unmounted. A scarce and impressive multiple. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 134 £750
T2349 1878 QV 1d pale red-brown. Block of four. A few split perforations and a little un-fresh, otherwise fine mint with hinge remnants. SG 134 £45
T1890 1878 QV ‘Bourne Head’ 6d black-brown. Several hinge remnants, otherwise fine mint. mint. SG 137a £10
T2602 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d olive-black. BLOCK OF FOUR, some creasing and lower left stamp with small gum thin. Hinge remnants on the upper pair, otherwise fine mint. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 137 £55
T2760 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design. 6d olive-black. Upper marginal STRIP OF FIVE, imperforate between stamps and margin. Gum bend, hinge remnants and some reinforcing, otherwise fine mint. SG 137 £65
T2603 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d olive-black. Left marginal BLOCK OF 15 (5x3), faults at two perforation junctions due to the very brittle nature of the paper. Light tone bands on gum, otherwise fine unmounted mint. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 137 £110
T2604 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design. 6d olive-black COMPLETE SHEET OF 60, imperforate between stamps and margins on all four sides. Overall gum yellowing, otherwise very fine mint with most stamps unmounted. Ex the David Underwood collection and beautifully written up on his display page. SG 137 £650
T2605 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design. 6d olive-black COMPLETE SHEET OF 60, imperforate between stamps and margins on all four sides. Upper left corner stamp with light gum creasing and light gum stain, otherwise remarkably fine and fresh mint with faintly streaky gum and all stamps unmounted. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 137 £850
T2606 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown. Left marginal BLOCK OF FOUR, some horizontal perforations splitting, otherwise very fine or superb mint with light hinge mark on one upper stamp only, the others are unmounted. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 137a £125
T2758 1878 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design. 6d olive-black fine used with ‘4’ target-type cancellation of Klerksdorp struck in BLUE. Most unusual. SG 137 £45
T2608 1878-80 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design. Forgery of the 1d duty printed in brown on thick paper, perforated, and provided with a fake cancellation. The crude quality of the imitation suggests it was intended as a spacefiller rather than to deceive. Ex the David Underwood collection. £45
1879 Queen Victoria 6d Surcharged '1 Penny'
T2610 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 10) in black. Very fine used with ‘23’ target-type canceller attributed to Emigratie (scarce). Very fine and a scarce numeral. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 140 £65
T2611 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 10) in red. Very fine used with light ‘8’ target-type canceller of Zeerust. Very scarce. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 140a £150
T1888 1879 QV 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ in black, Type 11. Very fine unused (without gum). SG 141 £75
T2613 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 12) in black. Very fine fresh mint with light hinge remnant. Jørgensen certificate (2019) states “the stamp is genuine without repair” and that it is position 30 in the sheet. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 142 £225
T2614 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 12) in black. A right marginal example, fault at base and small shallow thin, mainly in the margin, otherwise fine used with neat ‘23’ target-type canceller attributed to Emigratie (scarce). Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 142 £45
T2615 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 13) in black. Rather large hinge remnants, otherwise fine mint. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 143 £75
T2618 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 14) in black showing variety ‘TAIL of ‘Y’ OMITTED’. Presumably a late state of the Type 14 which usually shows a remnant of the tail. Rounded upper right corner, otherwise fine used with concentric circles canceller. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 144 £75
T2620 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 15) in black. Short perforations at right, otherwise fine used with target-type canceller. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 145 £15
T2621 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 15) in black. Blunt perforations at upper right, otherwise fine used with target-type canceller. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 145 £10
T2622 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 15) in red (SG 145a). Lower marginal example, short perforation at top and hinge thins, otherwise fine mint. Scarce. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 145a £75
T2623 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 15) in red. Very fine used with part of a light target-type canceller. Scarce so fine. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 145a £85
T2624 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged ‘1 Penny’ (Type 15) in red. Fine used with ‘20’ target-type canceller attributed to Stander’s Drift. Ex the David Underwood collection. SG 145a £65
T2625 Forgery 1879 Queen Victoria ‘Bourne Head’ design 6d black-brown surcharged with a forged ‘1 Penny’ resembling Type 16. An upper marginal example which proves the surcharge is forged as Type 16 only occurs five times on row 4 of the setting (i.e. not marginal). There are also minor differences in the font used and the colour is too carmine. Nevertheless, a good attempt. The underlying stamp is very fine mint. Unusual. Ex the David Underwood collection. £75
1879 Overprinted 'V. R. / Transvaal' with small ‘V. R.’
T1940 1879 overprints with small ‘V. R.’. 1d red on orange, imperforate with good to large, even margins. With interesting apparently non-constant plate flaw at lower right. Several hinge remnants and hint of a thin, otherwise very fine mint. SG 147b £75
T518 1879 overprints with small ‘V. R.’. 1d red on orange, imperforate with very good margins. Very fine used with part target cancels. SG 147b £35
T523 1879 overprints with small ‘V. R.’. 3d mauve on green, imperforate, with good to large margins, just touching at base. Tiny (natural?) pin-point thin, otherwise fine used with part neat target cancel. SG 148 £30
T2679 1879 overprints with small ‘V. R.’. 3d (deep) mauve on green, imperforate, with very good to enormous margins showing part of the adjacent stamp above. Very fine used with target-type cancellation. SG 148 £55
T2741 1879 overprints with small ‘V. R.’. 3d mauve on green, imperforate with close to good margins. Showing the variety SMALL ‘T’. Fine used with ‘1’ target-type cancellation of Pretoria. Scarce. SG 148a £110
T2735 1879 overprints with small ‘V. R.’. 3d mauve on blue, imperforate lower marginal example with margins cut into at left, to enormous at base. Showing dramatic over-inking in the lower tablet. Thinned, otherwise fine used with part target-type numeral cancellation. SG 149 £35
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