Written by Thomas | 30th 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. Belgium 1850 - Medallion 10 c (watermark LL in box) - Kaiser certificate - OBP / COB 3A in a block of four – Wide Margins
The first Belgian stamps were issued under the reign of Leopold I, who was the king of Belgium from 1831 to 1865. These types of stamps are known as “Epaulette” or “Medaillon” and have a wide range of varieties, subtypes, and plate positions. In this week’s Belgian Stamp Auction, you can find a superb block of four of these COB 3A stamps. The stamps show a framed LL watermark and come with an authenticity certificate.
2. Austria 1933 - the 250th anniversary of Relief of Vienna- Pan-German Catholic Congress - Michel 557/562
The Battle of Vienna, also called the Relief of Vienna, took place at the Kahlenberg Mountain near Vienna on 12 September 1683. This was after the imperial city had been besieged by the Ottoman Empire for two months in a row. The battle was fought by the Habsburg Monarchy, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Holy Roman Empire, who were under command of King John III Sobieski. They fought against the Ottomans and their vassal and tributary states. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of this battle, the Austrian postal service issued a set of six stamps in 1933. In this week’s Austrian and Swiss Stamp Auction, is a complete set of these stamps in MNH condition.
3. German Empire 1943 - Azad Hind - National India - Michel IA-XA / 1B-XB
The Provisional Government of Free India, also called Azad Hind, was a provisional Indian government that was established in occupied Singapore in 1943. The Azad Hind was supported by the Empire of Japan, Germany, and Italy. But only a few countries saw them as a legitimate state and the state ceased to exist two years later, in 1945. The Azad Hind issued their own stamps during this period. In this week’s Ancient & Classic German Stamps Auction, is this complete 1943 collection with both perforated and imperforated types.
4. Netherlands 1867 - King Willem III - NVPH 8
The third set of Dutch stamps that were issued in October 1867, showed King Willem III’s profile and had a face value of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 50 cents. These stamps were designed by H. Nusser and J. Vürtheim and were engraved by Nusser himself. In this week’s Dutch Stamp Auction, is this appealing 10 cent stamp carmine from this series.
5. Spain 1944 - Doctor Thebussem. Block of 4 - Edifil 983
Mariano Pardo de Figueroa, better known as Dr. Thebussem, was a Spanish nobleman and philatelist. He is seen by many as the “father of philately” and was given the title of “Honorary Postman of Spain and her Possessions”. In 1921 he entered on the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists, which is an international philatelic award. In 1944, the Spanish postal service issued an airmail stamp to honour Dr. Thebussem. In this week’s Spanish and Portuguese Stamp Auction, is a block of four of these air stamps in pristine condition.
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