BRITISH COMMONWEALTH STAMPS
Stamps and Postal History of the British Commonwealth
British Commonwealth Stamps – “The Sun never sets on the British Empire!” was the old colonial adage, but all things come to an end. Stamp collecting has given us an incredible legacy, with collectors from every corner of the globe being able to enjoy a breadth of designs and styles as diverse as the old Empire itself. From Dhows sailing off Aden to a Polar supply vessel steaming toward the Falkland Islands. From Turtles on the beach at Ascension Island to the Camel Postmen of Sudan riding in the baking desert heat. These stamps are bound by Monarchs, a few currencies and, in most cases, just a few major printers whose workmanship was rarely surpassed.
A
Abu Dhabi
Aden
Aitutaki
Ajman
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Ascension
Australia
Australian States
Australian Territories
B
Bahamas
Bahawalpur
Bahrain
Barbados
Basutoland
Batum
Bechuanaland
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Antarctic Territory
British Guiana
British Honduras
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Levant
British Occupied Italian Colonies
British P.A. Eastern Arabia
British Post Offices in Siam
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Burma
Bushire
O
P
Q
R
S
Samoa
Sarawak
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somaliland Protectorate
South Africa
South Africa – Colonies and Republics
South Arabian Federation
South West Africa
Southern Nigeria
Southern Rhodesia
St Christopher
St Helena
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and Grenadines
Sudan
Swaziland
LABUAN 1880 – 1904 mint and unused collection on album pages. Comprises of 1880-82 wmk Crown CC complete set SG5/10, 1881 8c on 12c carmine SG15, 1883 Wmk Crown CA complete set SG17/21, 1885 2c on 8c carmine SG23, 1885 2c on 8c carmine SG26, 1885-86 8c deep violet, 10c sepia & 16c grey SG31/33, 1892-93 No wmk range with shades with 2 complete sets SG39/47a, 1900-02 Pictorials complete set SG111/116, and 1904 surcharges complete set SG129/137. Some with no gum but generally very fine mint. (52 stamps)
BARBADOS 1852 – 1958 mint and used collection on stock pages. Includes 1852-55 1d (x2) used; 1855-58 1d used, plus recess printed forgery; 1858 1s used; 1861-70 values ½d (x3), 1d (x3) 6d (x3) & 1s (x2); 1872 ½d & 1s used; 1882-86 set to 1s used; 1892-1903 set to 2s6d (mint and used); 1897-98 Jubilee set mint, with additional ¼d blued paper mint; 1905 to 2s6d used; 1906 & 1907 Nelson sets mint (less 6d); 1909-10 set mint/used; 1912-16 to 1s mint; 1916-19 2½d wmk inverted & reversed mint (toned); 1920-21 Victory set mint/used; 1921-24 wmk multi CA to 1s & 2s mint; 1925-35 to 2s6d & 3s mint including 1s perf 13 x12 mint; 1935 Jubilee set mint; 1938-47 most vals to 5s mint including 2½d Mark on central ornament variety mint; 1939 Tercentenary set NHM; 1948 Wedding set mint; 1950 set mint, and 1953-61 to $1.20 mint – less 2c. A few faults but generally good to fine. (Approx 230 stamps)
BURMA 1937 – 1956 used collection on pages with some postal history. Includes complete set to 10r; a small selection on Indian stamps used in Burma; 1937 small selection of pairs and blocks; 1938 values to 2r; 1946 values from 6p to 5r; 1947 values to 2r; 1954 complete set; and other stamps and covers. (Approx 160 stamps and 5 cards/covers)
FALKLAND ISLANDS – SOUTH GEORGIA 1963 – 1977 mint collection on album pages. Includes 1963-69 set (less 2s & £1 ultramarine), 1971-76 surcharges set, then mainly complete thereafter (less Churchill). Attractive collection. (57 stamps)
MOROCCO AGENCIES GIBRALTAR ISSUE OVERPRINTED. 1899 complete set, SG 9/16, tone spot to the 25c otherwise fine mint. (8 stamps)
MOROCCO AGENCIES GIBRALTAR ISSUE OVERPRINTED 1898 – 1900 complete set, SG 1/8, fine mint. (8 stamps)
GRENADA 1938-54 KGVI FRANKED COVERS COLLECTION a mixture of commercial and philatelic mail displaying cds’s of mainly smaller offices, incl. Belmont, Birch Grove, Carriacou, Crochu, Concord, Corinth, Dover, Gouyave, Grand Roy, Grenville, Hermitage, Happy Hill, Hope, La Digue, La Taste, Mt. Pleasant, Petit Martinique, St Davids, St Georges, St Pauls, Sauteurs, Snug Corner, Union, and Victoria; also G.P.O. Grenada (6, various types), and Dead Letter Office on KGVI stationery newspaper wrapper with “Unclaimed” mark. (38 items)
GRENADA 1914-35 COVERS COLLECTION a mixture of commercial and philatelic mail incl. many registered, cancels incl. Carriacou 1929, Crochu 1926, Grenville 1926, Gouyave 1914, Happy Hill 1929, Petit Martinique 1928 & 1932, Victoria 1919, and G.P.O. Grenada (4) incl. 1923 OHMS Colonial Postmaster, 1935 Silver Jubilee set on illustrated cover etc. (12 items)
GAMBIA 1902-05 KEVII definitive set, CA Wmk, SG 45/56, fine mint (12 stamps)
NEW ZEALAND 1902-1910 KEVII ERA USED COLLECTION on a double – sided stock book page that includes 1902-07 Perf 11 pictorials inc 2½d inverted Wmk (SG 308w) & values to 2s, perf 14 to 2s shades, 1907-08 ranges to various 1s, 1909-16 set & more. Condition is mostly good to fine. Cat 900+ (75+ stamps)
BRITISH HONDURAS KEVII SPECIMEN SETS 1902-04 CA Wmk set of 4 mint or unused & without gum, SG 80s/83s & 1908-11 MCA Wmk set of 3 mint, SG 96s/100s, An attractive group. (7 stamps)
BRITISH HONDURAS 1937 SPECIMEN KGVI Coronation set, perfin “SPECIMEN”, SG 147s/149s, never hinged mint (3 stamps)
BRITISH HONDURAS 1904-07 SPECIMEN KEVII definitives, MCA Wmk, opt’d “SPECIMEN” set, SG 87s/93s, mint with an occasional short perf (6 stamps)
MONTSERRAT 1935 SPECIMEN KGV Silver Jubilee set perfin “SPECIMEN”, SG 94s/97s, very fine mint (4 stamps)
MONTSERRAT 1937 SPECIMEN KGVI Coronation set perfin “SPECIMEN”, SG 98s/100s, never hinged mint (3 stamps)
MALAYA STATES MALACCA 1948-1981 ALL DIFFERENT mint collection with KGVI ranges to $2, QEII era inc 1960-62 pictorial set etc. Fresh condition. (65+ stamps)
SOUTH WEST AFRICA 1973-1990 COMPREHENSIVE NHM COLLECTION presented on a pile of 75+ stock cards, all different complete sets, includes 1973-80 1c imperf x P14 coil strip of 5, 1974 Birds set, 1980-89 Wildlife set, 1989-90 Minerals set etc. Lovely fresh condition. (300+ stamps, 10 M/S’s & 2 booklets)
ST HELENA 1902-35 MINT ONLY COLLECTION presented on a protective page & includes 1902 ½d and 1d, 1903 ½d, 1d, and 2d, 1912-16 ½d, 1d, 2d, and 3d, 1912-13 both 4d and 6d issues, 1922 “Printed in one colour” set of three, 1922-37 “Badge of St Helena” MSCA Wmk group to 2s6d & 5s, 1935 Silver Jubilee set, etc. An attractive, all different collection. (28 stamps)
SOUTH AFRICA 1940-1941 NHM FRONTISPIECE HALF SHEET of 1d value, produced for the 1940-1 2s6d “Borderless” booklets, we see 90 stamps in 10 rows of 9 with gutter margins between, wmk upright, black sheet number on right margin, SG 56, SACC 56h, never hinged mint. (90 stamps)
ST LUCIA 1937-52 COMPREHENSIVE KGVI FINE MINT COLLECTION. A highly complete collection for this reign, (missing one stamp) includes most additional perfs from 1938-48 definitives, between SG 125/170, also incl. 1949-52 Postage Dues set. (60+ stamps).
BAHRAIN 1952-60 COMPLETE QEII COLLECTION. A complete run of issues for this reign, SG 80/116, includes surcharged high values type I & II sets. Fine & fresh condition (40+ stamps)
ADEN HADHRAMAUT 1942-63 COMPLETE VERY FINE MINT COLLECTION presented on pages, SG 1/52. Lovely quality (55+ stamps)
AUSTRALIA 1913-14 POSTMARK GROUP. A delightful range of the first issue Kangaroo’s that includes a 1d, plus 2d strip of three with octagonal boxed “TOO LATE”, 1d pair with “..TED IN LATE FEE BAG”, “ENGLISH MAIL T.P.O” cancels on 1d and 6d, “PARLIAMENT HOUSE” on 1d, starburst “QL” on 1d, and 1s with perfin “T” with violet cancel. (8 postmark items, 11 stamps)
INDIAN CONVENTION STATES CHAMBA OFFICIALS. 1938-40 KGVI high values set as marginal BLOCKS of 4, SG O68/71, never hinged mint (4 blocks of 4 stamps)
CANADA TELEGRAPH STAMPS all different collection on pages. With Canadian Pacific featuring different years (16) between 1891 and 1930; plus Great North Western complete run (one for each year) between 1894 and 1916. Some faults, but mainly fine condition. (39 stamps)
SOUTH AFRICA – COLONIES & REPUBLICS ORANGE FREE STATE TELEGRAPH STAMPS 1885-1900 mint and used collection. With 1885 1d & 3d mint plus 6d used; 1886 1s pearl-grey mint; 1888 1s on 8s used; 1888-1899 good range of “TF” overprints to 1s mint and used; 1900 “V.R.I. / TF” range to 1s mint and 6d used; 1900 “V.R.I. / AT” most values to £4 used. Mostly fine condition. Impressive! (32 stamps)
AUSTRALIA 1926-30 KGV NEVER HINGED MINT COLLECTION covering perf 13½x12½ all values ½d to 1s4d (SG 94/104). Includes a few IDENTIFIED VARIETIES (listed in Brusden-White catalogue), different Dies and inverted watermarks. Very fine never hinged mint. (29 stamps)
NEW ZEALAND 1970-76 50c National Park definitive with BUFF (shore) OMITTED, SG 932b, marginal BLOCK OF FOUR very fine never hinged mint.
MALTA 1863-1914 ALL DIFFERENT MINT COLLECTION with 1863-81 (CC) ½d (no gum); 1882-84 (CA) ½d; 1885-90 set; 1886 5s rose; 1899-1901 set; 1902 1d on 2½d; 1903-1914 KEVII range to 1s (both colours) and 5s. Chiefly fine condition. (30 stamps)
MALAYA STATES TRENGGANU. 1910-1981 used collection, vals to $5 (50+ stamps)
SIERRA LEONE 1884-91 complete set, SG 27/34, plus 1d shade, fine mint. (9 stamps)
NAURU 1930 (May) O.H.M.S. Administration of Nauru printed envelope to USA, bearing Freighter 1s. x2, tied by cds’s, peripheral faults, still scarce.
NAURU 1937-48 Freighter issue on shiny surfaced paper, scarce upper marginal imprint blocks of eight for ½d (both perfs), 1d, 2d, 2½d, 3d and 1s, mint mainly never hinged, odd tone spot to a couple. (7 blocks)
NAURU 1937-48 Freighter set on shiny surfaced paper, SG 26B/39B, plus ½d perf. 14, fine cds used. (15 stamps)
NAURU 1916 set to ten overprinted values, between SG 1/12, across two registered covers to U.S.A., tied by December 1920 P.O. Pleasant Island cds’s, violet boxed Registration marks, and arrival marks on reverse. Highly attractive and scarce. (2 covers)
BRITISH OCCUPIED ITALIAN COLONIES ERITREA 1948-51 complete c.d.s. used collection, SG E1/32, ED1/10. (43 stamps)
BRITISH OCCUPIED ITALIAN COLONIES SOMALIA 1943-50 a mainly fine used collection, with 1943-46 E.A.F. set, 1948 B.M.A. set, and 1950 B.A. set. (31 stamps)
BRITISH OCCUPIED ITALIAN COLONIES TRIPOLITANIA a lovely fine cds used collection, with 1948 set, 1950 set (less 5l. on 2½d), 1951 set (less 60l. on 2s.6d), Postage Due 1948 2l. on 1d to 24l. on 1s, and 1950 1l. on ½d. (37 stamps)
SOMALILAND PROTECT OFFICIAL STAMPS – MINT COLLECTION on 5 album pages includes the 1903 overprints on QV and KEVII complete sets, KEVII 2a with “SOMAL.LAND” variety, 1904 complete set overprinted “SPECIMEN”, also ½a, 1a & 8a values, finally a small range of used stamps with forged overprints (24 stamps)
SOMALILAND PROTECT 1903 (21 Dec) large piece – the size & shape of a long cover – bearing the overprinted at top complete from 2a to 5r (SG 3/13) and the opt’d at bottom ½a & 1a (25/26) each tied by ‘F.P.O. No.45 / 21 DEC .03″ cds. Striking (piece with 13 stamps)
GRENADA 1902 – 1935 fine used selection. Vals to 5s. Inc Jubilee set (25)
JAMAICA 1937 Coronation perforated “SPECIMEN” set,SG 118/20,vfm,fresh (3)
JAMAICA 1929-32 KGV perf “SPECIMEN” set, SG 108s/10s, vfm, fresh (3)
JAMAICA 1903-04 Arms “SPECIMEN” opts set, SG 33s/36s, fine mint,fresh (4)
ASCENSION – 1956 Pictorials complete set, SG 57/69, NHM, fresh (13)
SIERRA LEONE 1963 2s on 3d opts VARIETIES SG 278a & 278b, within NHM PAIRS (4)
SIERRA LEONE 1963 2s6d on 4d Postal opt NO STOP AFTER ‘O’,SG281c,in NHM PAIR,2
NEW ZEALAND 1874 IMPERF PLATE PROOFS printed on ungummed paper overprinted “CANCELLED” complete set – 1 brownish orange, 2d blue, 3d mauve, 4d carmine-rose, 6d brown and 1s green. Lovely fresh condition, very attractive & rare. (6 proofs)
SINGAPORE 1968-73 NHM COLLECTION OF SETS presented on stock book pages that includes an ALL DIFFERENT selection with the 1968-72 Musical set, 1970 World Fair set & m/s & 1971 Festivals set amongst others. Fine & fresh condition (70+ stamps & 1 m/s)
ST HELENA 1953-59 Pictorial definitive set, SG 153/165, never hinged mint (13 stamps)
