Written by Thomas | 16th January 2019
In our Expert’s Choice feature, one of our experts shares their favourite items currently in auction. This week our Stamp expert, Nicolas Pereira, selects several exceptional items from our stamp and postcard auctions for you to enjoy.
1. France 1945 - Marianne de Dulac souvenir sheet, not issued - Yvert bloc-feuillet 5
In this week’s Exclusive French Stamp Auction, is this Marianne de Dulac souvenir sheet that was never issued. This sheet is the most important, valuable, and most sought-after block in France philately. Edmond Dulac was the engraver of this feminine image, which also appears on many other French stamps. Lea Rinx, who was the wife of a friend of Dulac, stood model for this particular feminine figure.
2. Sicilia 1859 - 1gr 5gr 10gr Superb Tricolour Franking on a letter from Messina to Napoli - Sassone NN. 4e, 9, 12b
Colourful frankings from the 19th century are quite uncommon and often appreciated by postal history collectors. You can find some beautiful examples of these in our Old Italian State Stamp Auction. One of those is this Sicily State tricolour franking on a letter that was sent in 1859, from Messina to Naples, through French Pyroscafo.
3. China - People's Republic since 1949 1964 - Chinese Peonies Mini-sheet 特61M
Flowers are an important element in Chinese culture. It’s probably not a surprise that flowers are also often used on Chinese stamps. An example of this is this scarce 1964 block, showing a peony flower. Peony flowers are a symbol of happiness, fortune, and prosperity. You can find this Chinese mini-sheet in this week’s China and East Asia Stamp Auction.
4. German Reich Feldpost Rhodes 1944 - Type IV and Type III Christmas post stamps as se-tenant pair - Michel 12III, 12IV
In 1944, Italian stamps were overprinted for Christmas (“Weihnachten” in German), so that German troops in Rhodes, Leros, and Cos could use these. Every soldier would receive two stamps. A total of five different types of overprint were used on these stamps. In this week’s Germany - Ancient & Classic Stamp Auction, you can find a pair of stamps that show types III and IV. These stamps are a perfect example of how philately can function as an auxiliary science for history!
5. Spain 1905 - 3rd Cent. publication of ‘Don Quixote’. 10 pesetas orange, block of 4 - Graus certificate - Edifil 266
Don Quixote is arguably the most influential work of Spain’s literary canon that was written during the Spanish Golden Age. This famous story regularly appears on the top of the lists about the greatest works of fiction ever published. This famous character also appeared on Spanish stamps. A great example is this superb block of four 10 Pesetas stamps, belonging to the 1905 set of stamps that were issued to commemorate the third centenary of the publication of this work. You can find this block in this week’s Spanish and Portuguese Stamp Auction.
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