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For centuries, the most discerning collectors have understood that a rare coin is more than an asset; it is a tangible piece of history. We empower you to build a world-class collection, blending deep historical knowledge with clear, data-driven insights. This ensures you build a collection with the profound legacy of becoming a custodian of history, securing a verifiable and highly portable store of enduring value for generations to come.

Brett Pitcher 6/1/21 Brett Pitcher 6/1/21

Rhodesia 1966 2d yellow-orange and deep green. Missing colour error. SG 375/a

A stunning example fo this rare stamp which shows the progression of the printing error in full.

Guide Price £8,000

A unique and spectacular error.

Only 24 or 26 examples of this error are believed to exist. A unique item as it is a positional multiple showing the progression of the missing yellow-orange ink and missing it entirely on the lower 2 stamps.

The result of a printing error these stamps should have been destroyed and never have been issued. During printing the yellow-orange ink must have run out resulting in the bottom 2 stamps having no ink and the 2 above only receiving a portion of the ink they should have.

These stamps were produced at a fascinating time in the history of Southern Rhodesia or as is now known - Zimbabwe.

The history of Rhodesia isn’t pleasant and is certainly a confusing one. Originally named ‘Southern Rhodesia’ it gained it’s name from Cecil Rhodes - most famous for founding De Beers (as well as his unsavoury beliefs in the superiority of Anglo-Saxons).

Southern Rhodesia was in effect a British Colony but sought to gain its independence in the 1960’s. After several unsuccessful attempts it declared its own independence in 1965 and started calling itself Rhodesia. The country wished to still have the Queen as head of state, making her Queen of Rhodesia, but she refused - making it more remarkable that her image continued to be displayed on their stamps.

In retaliation the United Kingdom hit Rhodesia with economic sanctions but these were only partly successful and Rhodesia’s economy held on by defaulting on its debts and by exporting minerals to Europe instead of the UK. In the 1970’s the economy actually grew.

With its minority white rule and its independence not being recognised internationally Rhodesia was unpopular in the international community. During the 1970’s the country became increasingly isolated, its neighbours hostile and South Africa (its only supporter for minority white rule) increasingly believing the only way forward was for free elections and ultimately a change to majority black rule. The 1970’s saw bitter fighting in a civil war and the slow but steady erosion of the governments power.

Finally in 1979 free elections were held and the country was renamed Zimbabwe Rhodesia. However the country was still not internationally recognised so was reinstated as a British colony of Southern Rhodesia paving the way for further free elections and to become modern day Zimbabwe.

Sadly there was not a happy ending for Zimbabwe as in the 1980’s election Robert Mugabe was named Prime Minister and for the next 37 years caused lasting damage to the people and economy of the country.

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GUIDE PRICE. £8,000.00

SG 375/a

1966 2d yellow-orange and deep green, lower marginal block of 8 Qx\ with part imprint, bottom pair ERROR YELLOW-ORANGE OMITTED, adjoining pair showing partial omission, unmounted o.g. Spectacular and UNIQUE in this positional form.

Ex Lamont-Smith

(Stephan Welz,1416189, lot 310 (part) ). Only 24-26

We use ‘Guide prices’ for all items but are on hand to negotiate between buyer and seller. If this item is of interest then please contact us to start a conversation. We work with complete discretion for our clients and therefore don’t ever publish realised prices.

Brett Pitcher 2/13/19 Brett Pitcher 2/13/19

KUT 1922-27 £100 red and black

A superb example of one of the great rarities of the British Empire.

Guide Price £195,000

One of the greatest stamps of the British Empire. A stunning example of this magnificent high value stamp in the finest possible condition.

The precise number of example in private hands is unclear but it is believed to be between only 4 and 10.

In some countries, such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika (KUT), stamps that were intended for fiscal use (to pay for things) didn’t always stipulate this fact on them. With £100 face value the only intention for this stamp was payment, likely a property/land transaction, as you could have posted the whole country for £100! As testament to this there are no recorded examples of this stamp not being fiscally used. This is also why this particular, unused stamp, is so rare - few people in the world would have had £100 spare to buy a stamp and not use it.

The item is clearly rare but alongside this it is also much sought after because it is considered such an attractive stamp by collectors and part of a key set from KUT.

Understandably these stamps trade infrequently but in 2013 an example publicly sold in Holland for £178,000.

1922-27 £100 red and black. Upper left corner marginal example showing plate number ‘1’. SG 105

Unmounted with original gum and brilliant colours. Insignificant gum bend mentioned for accuracy.

Ex ‘Kilimanjaro’ and Melat.

RPS Cert 1975 included.