N.Z. STAMPS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1933, Page 7

N.Z. STAMPS

FAMOUS COLLECTION SOLD

MANY GOOD PRICES RECEIVED

LONDON, October 32

People who attended the auction sale of the famous “Mann” collection of Now Zealand stamps at Messrs Hanner ■Rooke and Company’s rooms yesterday said that the bidding was quite like old times. Such luxury trades as jewellery antiques, and stamps have naturally suffered during the past few years, and it is possible the spirited bidding for these rare New Zealand stamps is an indication of growing confidence. Mr E. Mann is a world-famed collector, and his reason for disposing of this collection is merely that he is concentrating on some* other countries at the present time. Five-sixths of his New Zealand collection passed into other hands some time ago, and this larger, but less select, collection is to he sold again in a few months’ time. The one disposed of yesterday was the cream of Mr Mann’s collection, and consisted of 154 lots in perfect condition.

About fifty people were present at the sale, most- of them private collectors, and a large proportion of them serious buyers. There was one American dealer who was probably acting for a few American clients, and he was successful in obtaining a large number of the stamps. Several wealthy collectors were also present, including Mr D. Burnard who owns g famous collection estimated to be worth £IOO,OOO. The bidding was keen and in IV hours the while collection was disposed of for more than £3OOO, which is considered a record in stamp auctions.

A RECORD PRICE

The highest price obtained for one stamp was £3OO. This was for an 1855 Is yellow-green, on blue paper, mint with full original gum and margins on all sides. The stamp is probably unique, as no collector knows of another one like it in existence. Next in order of value was a 1862 3d lilac, S.G. 84, Yvert 13, an unused copy with margins on three sides and of good colour. Only two copies of this stamp are known to exist. For this £240 was paid. For a 1855 London print Id dull carmine pair, £lls was paid. Rome of the other prices were as follows :—ln the 1855 section, London print- dull carmine Id, with full margins, £100; 2d, dull on blued paper, horizontal pair, 20 guineas; 2d dull blue on white paper, £2O ; 2d dull blue on white paper, a full margined copy on original letter dated August 18, 1885, £22 10s; Is yellow-green on blued paper, in immaculate Condition, 30 guineas; Is with the very rare “cancelled” obliteration, £46. ■ln .the 1855 local print section an Unused cOpv of Id ted £36; Id ted, a horizontal strip of five, with large margin on all sides and vety lightly cancelled. £150; Id ted pair, £3B; 2d blue mint strip of four from bottom corner of sheet with enormous margins and original gum, 100 guineas; .Is green, full margins and very lightly cancelled, £27 10s; Is green pair with margins on all sides, £69. In the 1856-59 section, a 2d deep blue, two strips of three each, with full margins, 30 guineas; a used block of fpur 2d deep blues, hard paper, £47 10s; and Is dull emerald-green, a mint copy ,of brilliant colour and original gum, £46.

VALUES OF OTHER SPECIMENS

In the section 1862 imperforate, a horizontal pair of 2d slate-blue made £l4; a mint block of four 2d pale blue, £l9; a mint marginal block of four 3d brown-lilac, £2O; a mint- pair of 6d black-brown, with original gum and margins on all sides, £l2 10s; a mint corner block of four from top right of sheet, £'3B; a mint block of four Is yellow-green, £34; and a used block of six Is deep green, £4B. For a mint copy of 1862 Id orangevermilion, 50 guineas were paid ; and for Id orange vermilion pair, £IOO. A 2d violet unused, 1862 inperforate, made £4l; and als deep green of the same date £33.

In the 1864 inperforate section a mint block of four Id carmine-vermilion made £2B; block of four Id carminevermilicn, £3B; a 2d blue, £l4; strip of three 2d pale blue, £2O; a 6d redbrown mint copy with full margins, £6O; Is green, 10 guineas; used block of four Is green £32; unused copy of 3d deep mauve, £2B; and a horizontal used pair of 3d deep mauve, £SO.