Sale 1326 — 2024 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 27 June, 2024
Category — Worldwide: Japan thru Switzerland, Fournier Album
Japan, 1874, 10s Yellow Green (37). Syllabic 2, horizontal pair, used with 1874, 1s Blue (33), Syllabic 8, and 1874, 2s Yellow (34), Syllabic 15, horizontal pair, tied by five strikes of quartered cork cancel with small point embedded next to lower right quadrant (leaving tiny punctures in paper) on bluish folded letter to Milan, Italy, datelined Yokohama, August 13, 1875, from Valmale, Schoene & Milson with the firm's blue double-oval handstamp, addressed to Banco Sete Lombardo, sender's directive "Via America", clear strikes of red "Yokohama Paid All Aug. 15" (1875) double-circle datestamp (ties 10s pair) and matching "10/CENTS" credit handstamp—carried on Occidental & Oriental Steam Ship Co. Gaelic, departing Yokohama August 15, 1875, arriving San Francisco September 2—clear strike of magenta "San Francisco Cal. Sep. 3" double-circle datestamp, red "New-York Sep. 11" circular datestamp lightly struck next to Yokohama datestamp, Milan receiving backstamp (Sep. 25)
EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM ISSUE COVER TO ITALY, PREPAID WITH A THREE-COLOR FRANKING FOR THE 25-SEN RATE. VERY FEW CHERRY BLOSSOM ISSUE COVERS TO COUNTRIES OTHER THAN GREAT BRITAIN OR FRANCE ARE KNOWN.
The 25 sen rate from Japan to Italy comprised 15 sen for the U.S.-Japan treaty rate and 10 sen for the U.S. rate to Italy by closed mail. The post office in Yokohama credited the U.S. with 10c. This cover was postmarked in San Francisco on September 3, 1875, after the U.S. rate to Italy was reduced from 10c to 5c to conform with the General Postal Union rates that went into effect on July 1, 1875.
Early Japan covers to foreign destinations are extremely rare and highly sought after. Many of the truly unusual covers are owned by philatelic museums in Japan. The Philatelic Culture Museum in Japan, established by Hiroyuki Kanai in 2005, has all of his covers, which were acquired in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The cover offered here—in our opinion, one of the most remarkable in terms of franking and destination—was part of the Rinck collection in Lyon, France. It was acquired by Rinck before the intensive collecting effort by Japanese collectors, which began in the 1960s, and it was held until the Rinck collection was dispersed in 2015, after Kanai's passing in 2012. Had this cover come to market when Kanai was active, he most certainly would have added it to his collection.
Ex Rinck.
Japan, 1900s Stationery Entires from the Madagascar Postal Archives. Total of 55 items affixed to four complete ledger pages and additional partial bottom half of another, with stationery such as postal cards and entires of different types with six different denominations from 1/2s to 4s, all cancelled large original ledger page by red "Postes et Telegraphs, Madagascar, Collection de Berne" handstamps, includes ledger nos. "0045" to "0047" and "0058" and partial sheet signed by Director at bottom right, few small insignificant flaws
VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL STATIONERY GROUP OF 55 ITEMS FROM THE MADAGASCAR POSTAL ARCHIVES—A UNIQUE ASSEMBLAGE OF MATERIAL.
During this time period, typically 2-5 examples of each stamp produced were sent by the Universal Postal Union (U.P.U.) to member nations. The Madagascar Archives would affix them to ledger pages for reference. From the Magnolia collection.
Japan, 1906-1907, 11/2s Violet, 3s Rose, 6s Maroon (95, 98, 101). Five examples of each value, tied on large original ledger page by red "Postes et Telegraphs, Madagascar, Collection de Berne" handstamps, ledger no. "0043" at top right and signed by Director at bottom right, two examples of the 11/2s with severe facial scrapes and another affected by toned spots
VERY FINE. A RARE AND UNIQUE COMPLETE LEDGER SHEET FROM THE MADAGASCAR ARCHIVES CONTAINING THE 1906-1907 ISSUES FROM JAPAN.
During this time period, typically 2-5 examples of each stamp produced were sent by the Universal Postal Union (U.P.U.) to member nations. The Madagascar Archives would affix them to ledger pages for reference. From the Magnolia collection.
Japan, 1908, 5y-10y Empress Jingo (113-114). Two examples of each value, tied on large original ledger page by red "Postes et Telegraphs, Madagascar, Collection de Berne" handstamps, ledger no. "0044" at top right and signed by Director at bottom right, stamps affected by toned spots
FINE AND UNIQUE. A RARE COMPLETE LEDGER SHEET FROM THE MADAGASCAR ARCHIVES CONTAINING THE 1908 EMPRESS JINGO ISSUE FROM JAPAN.
During this time period, typically 2-5 examples of each stamp produced were sent by the Universal Postal Union (U.P.U.) to member nations. The Madagascar Archives would affix them to ledger pages for reference. From the Magnolia collection.
Portuguese India, 1962, 15np Revalued Coin & Prince Henry Issues for Independence Overprint Proofs (Scott 598-618 vars). Complete set of 20 values from the Coin issue representing each underlying value from 5c-50e, plus three Arms of Prince Henry overprints in Violet, Black, and Red, each stamp revalued "15nP" and with bars over "Republica Portuguesa" and "Estado da India" with "INDIA" and "Postage" added, without gum, accompanied by photocopy of letter from "Government of India, Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts" confirming these stamps were overprinted sometime in the second half of 1962 as proofs provided to the Ministry of External Affairs, the letter also indicates only two sheets were produced of each value (50 sets) but were all destroyed (evidently not)
VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL COMPLETE SET OF 23 STAMPS OF 1962 PROPOSED PROOF OVERPRINTS ON REMAINING STOCKS OF PORTUGUESE INDIA STAMPS. ONLY FOUR SETS ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE SURVIVED DESTRUCTION—MAKING THESE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SETS OF POST-INDEPENDENCE INDIA AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
The last decade or so of Portuguese rule in their enclaves of India was turbulent. By 1954, peaceful protests and violent uprisings occurred, many of which were suppressed through force. This caused India to break diplomatic relations with Portugal—with India setting up an embargo on Portuguese territories and closing any activity within independent areas of India. In December 1961, India invaded the remaining possessions, forcing the surrender of all territories on Dec. 16. Thus ended the nearly 450-year Portuguese rule in areas such as Goa. Relations between India and Portugal only restarted in 1974 after the Carnation Revolution, when Portugal formally recognized Indian sovereignty of their former possessions.
From the 1990 Christie's Robson Lowe auction (Lot 1732) and from the Magnolia collection.
Sudan, 1898, 1m Rose & Brown, 5m Black & Rose (9, 12; SG 10, 13). 1m block of six and four, 5m vertical strip of three and single, all affixed to front or back and tied by "Wadi-Halfa 16 OC 98" bilingual double-circle datestamps on registered cover to French Legation in Peking, China, bold strike of framed registry handstamp, Cairo (Oct. 21), Suez (Oct. 21), Colombo (Nov. 4), and blue Tientsin dollar chop (Nov. 29) transit and faint Peking dollar chop (Nov. 29) arrival backstamps, some of which additionally tied stamps, stamps with insignificant perf flaws due to placement on cover, slightly rough opening at right causing torn corner of bottom stamp of 5m strip
VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE REGISTERED COVER WITH THE SUDAN ONE AND 5-MILLIEMES CAMEL POST RIDER STAMPS TO PEKING, CHINA. AN EARLY COVER FROM AFRICA TO CHINA.
From the Magnolia collection.
Sweden, 1858, 12ö Blue, 50ö Rose (8, 12; Facit 9, 12a). 50ö three singles, all tied by "Engelholm 18/11 1865" circular datestamps on cover to Shanghai, China, sender's directive "via Prussen & England", blue framed "FRANCO" and red framed "P.P." handstamps, Lubeck (Nov. 20) and London (Nov. 22) transit and partial blue Shanghai (Jan. 31, 1866) arrival datestamps, cover and stamps with flaws including overall soiling, cover additionally with edgewear and missing bottom flap
FINE. AN IMPORTANT EXHIBIT ITEM OF THE 1858-62 COAT OF ARMS ISSUE OF SWEDEN—THE ONLY RECORDED COVER TO CHINA WITH THIS ISSUE. PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE WITH THREE EXAMPLES OF THE 50-ORE HIGH VALUE.
Ex Gross and from the Magnolia collection.
Switzerland, 1855, 1fr Lavender, Black Thread (30; Zumstein 27C). Large margins to touching outer frameline, used with 1854, 10r Blue, 40r Yellow Green, Emerald Thread (16, 19; Zumstein 23G, 26G), 40r two singles, large margins to touching outer frameline, all tied by "Lausanne, Matin 9 Oct 60" double-circle datestamps on blue folded ledger page to Shanghai, China, sender's directive "via Marseille et Suez", "P.P." handstamp, red "Suisse Amb." (Oct. 9), Marseilles, and Hong Kong transit datestamps, cover with some minor internal splits, 1fr with pre-use scissor cut at top
VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE THREE-COLOR SWITZERLAND SEATED HELVETIA FRANKING ON COVER TO SHANGHAI, CHINA—PARTICULARLY SO WITH THE ONE-FRANC LAVENDER WITH BLACK THREAD.
With 1983 Nussbaum certificate. From the Magnolia collection.
Switzerland, 1855, 1fr Lavender, Yellow Thread (31; Zumstein 27D). Used with 1858-62, 40r Green (40; Zumstein 26G), two singles, each with mostly large margins to just touching outer frameline, tied by "Basel, Briefexpedition 10 Nov. 4A" double-circle datestamps with additional strike at top on 1862 cover to Manila, Philippines, sender's directive "Pr Overland Mail via Suez", "PP" handstamp, St. Louis (Nov. 11) and Marseilles (Nov. 12) transit and Manila (Jan. 13, 1863) arrival datesetamps, "2" due rate handstamp, cover with trivial edgewear and stamps with margin flaws due to placement on cover
VERY FINE. AN IMPRESSIVE USE OF THE 40-RAPPEN AND ONE-FRANC IMPERFORATE SEATED HELVETIA ISSUE ON DOUBLE-RATE COVER TO MANILA—A RARE DESTINATION.
Ex Schaefer and from the Magnolia collection. Illustrated in Schaefer Der Briefpostverkehr Schweiz-Ausland: 1459-1907 (p. 284). With 1989 Rellstab certificate.
Switzerland, 1858-62, 15r Pale Rose, 40r Green, Green Threads (38a, 40; Zumstein 24G, 26G). 40r horizontal pair, right stamp with broken frame variety in top left frameline, each stamp with large margins to just touching outer frameline, tied by "St. Aubin 8 Oct. 60" circular datestamps on petite mourning cover to Shanghai, China, sender's directive "par Marseille" and "voie de Suez", framed "PD" handstamp crossed out in red ink and overstruck with "P.P." circular handstamp with additional strike above, Marseilles (Oct. 10) and Hong Kong (Nov. 25) transit backstamps, stamps apparently lifted and cover lightly cleaned
VERY FINE APPEARING USE OF THE 15-RAPPEN AND 40-RAPPEN PAIR SEATED HELVETIA ISSUE ON COVER TO SHANGHAI, CHINA—A PARTICULARLY RARE DESTINATION.
With 2004 Hermann certificate. From the Magnolia collection.
Switzerland, 1891, 25c Green, Perf 111/2 x 11 (83b; Zumstein 26c). Tied by "Bern 24.1.96" double-circle datestamp with additional strike beside on uprated 25c Green entire addressed to Belgian Minister in Peking, China, sender's directive "Via Brindisi", used with China, 1894, 6c Dark Brown (21), tied by blue Tientsin oval seal with partial red Tientsin Mar. 7 datestamp at center, "Exposition Nationale Svisse, Geneve 1896" label used as seal closing entire, "Singapore Hong Kong" (Feb. 17) and blue Tientsin Customs transit and blue Peking Customs (Mar. 9) arrival backstamps, the latter also ties the affixed label, cover with traces of edgewear
VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR SWITZERLAND STANDING HELVETIA AND CHINA COMBINATION DOUBLE-RATE COVER. AN IMPRESSIVE RARITY AND IMPORTANT SWISS AND CHINA POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT.
With 1998 B.P.B. certificate. Ex Beckeman and Wyler. From the Magnolia collection.
Fournier Forgery Album. No. 184, containing approximately 3,000 items comprising unused and used singles, multiples and many surcharges and cancels, complete except for only nine empty spaces, exceptionally fresh pages in blue binder with "Album De Fac-Similes Edite Par L'Union Philatelique de Geneve" embossed in gold on front cover
EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE FOURNIER FORGERY ALBUM. ONLY 480 ALBUMS WERE MADE.
According to Varro Tyler's Philatelic Forgers, Their Lives and Works, Fournier, unlike many of his contemporary forgers, did not seek to defraud the public. He described his material as facsimiles and promoted it to collectors who could not afford to purchase genuine items and to uneducated collectors as a preventive measure against being deceived by dishonest stamp dealers.
When Fournier died in 1917, one of his employees, Charles Hirschburger, unsuccessfully tried to continue the business. When Hirschburger died in 1927, l'Union Philatelique de Geneve purchased the Fournier stock, which weighed over 800 pounds, from Hirschburger's widow. The Union then marked the forgeries with "FAUX" handstamps on the front and/or "Facsimile" on the reverse, and employed students from the Geneva School of Arts and Crafts to mount representative selections of the forgeries in 480 albums. Whatever was not placed into one of the books was burned to ashes.
Because Fournier made forgeries from such a wide variety of countries, many of the 480 books have been either been divided into country references or have had many items removed. Very few remain intact and have the degree of completeness as does this book. We believe that because of its condition and completeness, this is one of the most desirable examples of the few remaining Fournier Forgery books