SA’s most expensive stamp up for auction

A 1913 Union King’s Head 5/-inverted watermark valued at R800 000-R1 200 000, will be auctioned at the Stephan Welz & Co Stamps, Postal History, Coins and Banknotes Auction on October 9 and 10.

According to Savo Tufegdzic, Head of the Stamps and Coins Department at Stephan Welz & Co, the stamp’s high value is attributed to the fact that it is the only known Union King’s Head high value inverted watermark variety in existence. Considered to be the most important Union stamp, it is also the most important high value King George V inverted watermark variety of the Commonwealth.

It will be amongst over 1 000 lots of collectable postal history and philatelic treasures to be sold at the auction, which coincides with the national philatelic exhibition Jomapex 2013, taking place from October 9-13 at Museum Africa.

“We believe that this one-of-a-kind stamp as well as others on sale will appeal to a new generation of Union buyers, as has been suggested by recent phenomenal international results for this type of material,” said Tufegdzic. “A lot of great material has become available to Stephan Welz & Co in recent months – we even had one seller drive up to Johannesburg from George with his collection! This is an enormous sale, with something for everybody, from collectors to dealers.”

Another high value item is a scarce set of 1931 South West Africa Pictorials Imperfect proofs, from an ex-printer’s archives. Valued at R105 000-R120 000, they are the only known imperf proof sheets of this issue. The 1/2d to 20/complete bottom row of six (three pairs) are from the imperforated proof sheets in the issued colours on gummed watermarked paper, all with printers imprint, the 1/2d, 1/3 and 10/- with manuscript endorsed in the bottom margin, and “Approved by High Commissioner letter dated” with different dates.

A rare unmounted 1942 Aden-Seiyun in fine condition in issued colours with Murray-Payne Certificate, estimated at R24 000-R30 000, will also be sold, along with an excellent example of the famous 1910/1913 Double Head perf 14, catalogued at £10 000 and estimated at R80 000-R90 000. The mint scarlet and reddish mauve Double Head with “error” of colour £1 is one of only 100 in existence from two sheets released in 1924.

Also up for sale is an 1863/1864 Cape of Good Hope 1/- De La Rue printing Triangle, estimated at R45 000-R60 000. This fine unmounted/mounted mint block in emerald green with full margins and good colour is a scarce and attractive multiple.

“South Africa was the first country in the world to have a triangle stamp, which also happened to be the country’s first,” said Tufegdzic.

Turning from the Cape to Natal, there is an 1896 Zululand Postal History Registered letter from Eshowe to Nylstroom, Transvaal with 1/2d green, 5d purple and blue, plus 1d mauve, postal fiscal. Rare and attractive, this letter with Holcombe certificate is valued at R22 000-R28 000.

The Stephan Welz & Co. Stamps, Postal History, Coins and Banknotes Auction will take place on October 8 and 10 at 13 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Pre-auction viewing is open to the public at no charge, daily from October 4-9. For more info contact 011-880-3125 or e-mail jhb@stephanwelzandco.co.za. The auction catalogue can be viewed at www.stephanwelzandco.co.za