Auctions

Postiljonen auction, March 27-28, in Malmo

Mar 17, 2015, 6 AM

One of the two earliest recorded covers mailed from England to Denmark on the same day, July 22, 1841. Both covers are being offered during the March 27-28 auction by Postiljonen in Malmo, Sweden.

The upcoming March 27-28 auction by Postiljonen features the expected assortment of appealing classic stamps, postal history and accumulations from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, but it also includes some nice surprises among the many excellent worldwide stamps and covers.

Two of the top items offered in this sale are the two earliest franked covers mailed from Great Britain to Denmark, each mailed independently on the same day: June 22, 1841. Both covers were sent from Hull, and are canceled "Hull Shipletter."

The first cover, franked with four examples of the Two-Penny Blue, was mailed from Liverpool to Copenhagen. Postiljonen notes that the stamps are "in the scarce deep full blue shade." The cover is accompanied by two certificates from the Royal Philatelic Society and offered with €25,000 (approximately $26,600) as an opening bid.

The second cover is franked with a strip of six One-Penny Red stamps at upper right, plus an additional pair at lower left. Along with being one of the two earliest franked covers from Great Britain to Denmark, it is also "the largest franking recorded of this stamp printed with black plates," according to Postiljonen. The opening bid for this item is €12,500 (approximately $13,300).

Collectors of Denmark's 1851 2-rigsbank skilling blue stamp will find a number of single examples, plus stamps on piece and on cover.

A Thiele plate II example struck with a scarce 1852 mute cancel used in Aalborg is offered as "a fantastic newly discovered rarity, most probably unique on Thiele." Formerly part of the J.J. Engellau Grand Prix International collection, it is certified by Kaiser and Moller, and listed with an opening bid of €5,000 (approximately $5,320).

The Postiljonen auction will take place in Malmo, Sweden, on the ground floor of the firm's offices at Oresundshuset, Hans Michelsensgatan 9.

To view the individual lots or bid online, or for more information, visit the Postiljonen website.

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