Pa r t3
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
2/- Green Woodblock
Page 81
Page 82
Phoenix Auctions
1854 2/- Green Woodblock Imperforate
211
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2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow original printed essay in blue slightly larger than the adopted size (20x24½mm) showing an unadopted head of Queen with Gothic crown, and with lilac background wash, on thin paper (48x84mm). A wafer affixed to the reverse indicates this essay was probably originally attached to the tender. One of two similar essays, and a beautiful example of Samuel Calvert’s engraving. A major rarity of this issue and one of the most important classic Australian Colonial essays in private hands. (Image shown is twice actual size.)
$30,000
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 83
1854 2/- Green Woodblock Imperforate cont’d
212
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow the printing contract signed between Samuel Calvert and the Post Office, comprising the Bond for £500 entered into on 20 June 1854, plus the Schedule specifying the production of 1,000,000 stamps in sheets of 50, for which Calvert would be paid £275. A unique document of exceptional importance.
$8,000
Phoenix Auctions
Page 84
1854 2/- Green Woodblock Imperforate cont’d
213
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215
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214
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 4] SG #35, 4-margins, very shallow thin and small tear in top margin, very good colour and appearance, Cat £3,500. Exceptional example of this rare stamp, perhaps a dozen examples known in private hands, virtually all with faults. Ex Manus and Perry. 2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 7] SG #35, 3 good margins, just cut into at top, good colour and appearance, Cat £3,500. An attractive example of this rare stamp. 2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 17] SG #35, 2 margins, touched at top and base and with a thin at top, fine colour, Cat £3,500.
216
216
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217
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218 F
215
$2,000 $600 $500
217
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 6] SG #35, 3 margins, just touched at top, good colour and appearance, Cat £3,500. An attractive example of this rare stamp. 2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 2] SG #35, three good margins with fourth touching at base, shallow thin, but good colour and appearance, Cat £3,500. An attractive example of this rare stamp.
$1,000
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow SG #35 strip of 3 [Pos 6-7-8] SG #35, cancelled Barred Numeral ‘1’, good to huge margins all round except at base, Cat £570+. Fine deep colour and impression, an exceptional multiple.
$1,000
$800
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 85
1854 2/- Green Woodblock Imperforate cont’d
219 U
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow SG #35, reconstruction of the hand-engraved plate of 25 (5 x 5). Several stamps just touched, but generally of exceptional quality, and undoubtedly the finest of the few reconstructions extant, Cat £4,750+.
$4,000
Phoenix Auctions
Page 86
1854 2/- Green Woodblock Imperforate cont’d
220 U
221
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2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow strip of 6 [Pos 8-9-10-6-7-8, straddling the interpane gutter] SG #35, cancelled Barred Numeral ‘1’, good margins all round except at base where one unit just cut into Cat £1,140+. The largest recorded multiple of this stamp, and a very important Woodblock piece. With 1930 RPSL Certificate. Ex Harvey and Perry.
$3,500
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [pos 21] SG #35 on fine 1855 (Mar 8) entire from Geelong to London per Shalimar, with lovely green boxed ‘LIVERPOOL/SHIP’ backstamp. Exceptional 4-margin stamp cancelled with fine Barred Oval ‘2’. [2/- double letter rate to the UK.]
$2,600
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 87
1854 2/- Green Woodblock Imperforate cont’d
222
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2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow interpane strip of 3 [Pos 25-21-22] SG #35 used with 1/- Octagonal imperf on fine 1857 (Apr 11) entire from Melbourne to Hamburg per Columbian. Strip with margins all round, all stamps with some light staining cancelled by somewhat heavy Barred Numeral ‘1’, and with ‘P’ in oval in red. The record multiple of this stamp on cover. [7/- represents the fully prepaid rate to Hamburg for a 3oz letter.]
$2,200
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 10] SG #35 used with 3d Campbell & Fergusson Half-Length Stone B, 1/- Octagonal imperf and 1d emerald Emblems imperf on fine 1858 (May 15) entire from Melbourne to Boston per European via Marseilles. Stamps with small margins or just touched, tied by light Barred Numeral ‘1’. ‘SHIP LETTER/MELBOURNE’ oval datestamp on face, and with double oval ‘INSUFFICIENTLY PAID/VIA MARSEILLES’ in red. Manuscript “1/4” (crossed through) and ‘32’ accountancy notations, with ‘STEAM/SHIP’ applied at New York and handstamp ‘10’ in circle denoting American incoming packet charge. [3/4d ½oz rate to USA via Marseilles for ½ oz letter, but apparently overweight]
$3,600
Phoenix Auctions
Page 88
1854 2/- Green Woodblock Imperforate cont’d
224
225
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2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 13] SG #35 used with 1/- Octagonal imperf and 4d Emblems on vertical laid rouletted on fine 1858 (Jul 15) entire from Melbourne to Boston per Emeu via Marseilles. Stamps very fine, the 2/- with large margins all round, tied by light Barred Numeral ‘1’. Manuscript “1/4” and “32” accountancy notations, and handstamp ‘10’ in circle denoting American incoming packet charge. Ex Hargest. [3/4d ½oz rate to USA via Marseilles]
$3,200
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow two singles [Pos 6 & 7] SG #35 used with 1/- Octagonal imperf and 1d emerald Emblems imperf pair on 1858 (Jul 6) registered cover from Castlemaine to Switzerland per Emeu. 1d pair cut into, others fine and cancelled Barred Numeral ‘3’. Carried via London and France with appropriate transit markings. With 2004 RPSV Certificate. [5/2d represents a 6d underpayment of the 5/8d ½oz registered rate to Switzerland via UK.]
$2,200
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 89
1854 2/- Green Woodblock Imperforate cont’d
226
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2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow pair [Pos 21-22] SG #35 used with 1/- Octagonal imperf and 4d Emblems on vertical laid rouletted (2) on fine 1858 (Oct 25) registered cover from Pleasant Creek (fine backstamp) to Switzerland per Emeu. 2/- pair touched at left, others fine and cancelled Barred Numeral ‘152’. Carried via London and France with appropriate transit markings. A fine and attractive cover. With 2004 RPSV Certificate. [5/8d ½oz registered rate to Switzerland via UK]
$2,200
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 12] SG #35 on fine outer from Melbourne to Birmingham per Columbian via Marseilles, with fine red ‘SHIP LETTER/FREE/DEC*17/1858/G.P.O. VICTORIA’ backstamp. Exceptional 4-margin stamp cancelled with fine Barred Numeral ‘1’. [2/- letter rate to the UK via Marseilles for a ¾-1oz letter.]
$2,200
Page 90
Phoenix Auctions
1854 2/- Green Woodblock Experimental Roulette 7½
228
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2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 5], rouletted 7½ at top and left used on fine 1854 (Sep 9) outer from Melbourne to Scotland per Croesus. Stamp very fine and cancelled Barred Oval ‘1’. A rare cover demonstrating the undocumented, but apparently, official, experimental use of a rouletting machine in Melbourne in 1854. Similar covers bearing a 3d Half-Length and 1/- Octagonal are known from the same period, see the article by Roland Geitenbeek and Geoff Kellow in Philately from Australia, March 1989. Ex Caspary. [2/- double ship letter rate to UK.]
$3,600
1857 2/- Green Woodblock Calvert Rouletted 7-9
229 F
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow vertical pair [Pos 6,11] SG #56, showing Calvert’s roulettes gauging 7-9 all round, cancelled Barred Numeral ‘1’. The only recorded multiple of this stamp in private hands and one of the most important 2/- Woodblock pieces. Ex Ferrari, Harvey and Perry.
$5,000
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 91
1857 2/- Green Woodblock Single-Line Roulette 5½-6½
230 F
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 9] with roulettes gauging 5½-6½ at right and base. Apparently from a sheet treated by Robinson in 1859 using his rouletting machine prior to him being contracted to perforate the remaining stock of 2/- Woodblocks. The ‘VICTORIA’ duplex cancellations indicates a late post-1860 usage. Believed to be the only recorded example, and an important Woodblock rarity.
$800
1857 2/- Green Woodblock Perf 12 by Robinson
231
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2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 5] SG #82 with Type 1 ‘SPECIMEN’ overprint. Four examples recorded, one of which is in the Royal Collection.
$1,800
232
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2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 13] SG #82 with Type 10 ‘SPECIMEN’ overprint. Three examples recorded, one of which is in the Royal Collection.
$1,800
Page 92
Phoenix Auctions
1857 2/- Green Woodblock Perf 12 by Robinson cont’d
233 */W
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow SG #82 a partial reconstruction of 16 of the 25 positions of the hand-engraved plate, missing [Pos 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 21 and 23], mostly unused without gum and a few with small faults but a remarkable achievement and rare opportunity, Cat ÂŁ8,000+.
$4,000
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 93
1857 2/- Green Woodblock Perf 12 by Robinson cont’d
234 U
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow SG #82 reconstruction of the hand-engraved plate of 25 (5 x 5) from the later state of the plate following cleaning, in paler shades and showing ‘white heads’. In addition [Pos 21 and 23] have been substituted by new clichés, apparently as a result of damage to the original units. [Pos 1] with straight edge at left, others mostly fine. Another very difficult, and perhaps unique, reconstruction Cat £1,250+.
$1,250
Page 94
Phoenix Auctions
1857 2/- Green Woodblock Perf 12 by Robinson cont’d
235 U
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow SG #82, reconstruction of the hand-engraved plate of 25 (5 x 5). Stamps generally very fine and a difficult reconstruction of which very few can exist.
$1,250
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 95
1857 2/- Green Woodblock Perf 12 by Robinson cont’d
236 F
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 5] SG #82 with error Imperforate at right, cancelled 1863 Melbourne ‘VICTORIA’ duplex. The only recorded example, Ex Russell Jones.
$1,000
237 F
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow strip of 4 [Pos 17-20] SG #82, cancelled Melbourne 1862 duplex. Perforations trimmed partially at top and at right and second unit with thin, but the largest recorded multiple of this stamp.
$500
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow pair [Pos 4-5] SG #82, cancelled Barred Numeral ‘46’ (Hamilton). Multiples are scarce.
$140
238 F
Page 96
Phoenix Auctions
1857 2/- Green Woodblock Perf 12 by Robinson cont’d
239
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2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 5] SG #82 used with 1/- Octagonal perf 12 pair (SG #81) on 1860 (Aug 16) outer from Ararat to Melbourne. Slightly reduced both sides, the stamps very fine and tied by Barred Numeral ‘93’. The left unit of the 1/- pair being from the vertical strip of 4 tagged on each sheet, thus producing an ‘abnormal combination’, being one of only two recorded on cover. An attractive and very important cover. Ex Pack, Forster, Perry and Kellow. [4/- inland rate for letter weighing 3-4oz.]
$3,000
2/- Dull Bluish Green/Pale Yellow [Pos 22] SG #82 used with 6d Queen-on-Throne on 1861 (Mar 23) registered cover from Sandhurst to Switzerland via London per Jeddo. Stamps tied by Barred Numeral ‘4’ and with appropriate transit markings. A fine usage, the perforated stamp is much scarcer on cover than the imperforate 2/-. Ex Purves and Perry. [¼oz rate for a registered letter via UK.]
$2,600
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
2/- Blue Woodblock
Page 97
Page 98
Phoenix Auctions
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2
241 */W
2/- Blue/Green SG #129-130 deeper shades group reconstruction of 28 of the 30 units of the combined Woodblock/electrotype plate, missing only [Pos 13 and 27], mixed Saunders and De La Rue papers and perfs. Most with part original gum and generally very fine. A very difficult assemblage to duplicate.
$3,200
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 99
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
242 */W
2/- Blue/Green SG #129-130 paler shades group reconstruction of 29 of the 30 units of the combined Woodblock/electrotype plate, missing only [Pos 27], mixed Saunders and De La Rue papers and perfs. Most with part original gum and condition well above average. A very difficult assemblage to duplicate.
$4,000
Page 100
Phoenix Auctions
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
243 */W/U 2/- Blue/Green SG #129-130 group study of the 20 printings showing all shades and perfs on both De La Rue and Saunders papers, including 14 mint/unused and 9 used pairs. Also used examples with double perf, and wmk inverted, and an example cancelled Hobson’s Bay. A very fine group that would take many years to assemble. Very high catalogue value. (64 stamps)
$1,800
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 101
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
244 *
245 U
2/- Light Blue/Green De La Rue paper perf 13 [Pos 17] SG #129 with Type 2 ‘SPECIMEN’ overprint, very fine. Only two examples recorded. This stamp is incorrectly listed in The Specimen Stamps of Victoria as being on Saunders paper.
$550
2/- Blue/Green SG #129 De La Rue paper perfs 13 and 12 (15th, 16th and 17th printings) in blue and light blue shades reconstruction of the combined Woodblock/electrotype plate of 30, including one pair. Generally fine.
$400
Page 102
Phoenix Auctions
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
246 U
2/- Light Blue/Green SG #129 De La Rue paper perf 13 (1st printing) reconstruction of the combined Woodblock/electrotype plate of 30 lacking only [Pos 4] and including two strips of 3 (scarce) and four pairs. Generally fine. 30 stamps.
$300
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 103
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
247 U
2/- Blue/Green SG #129/c De La Rue paper perfs 13 and 12 (6th to 9th printings) reconstruction of the combined Woodblock/electrotype plate of 30 including one pair. Six are the much scarcer perf 12. Generally fine.
$300
Page 104
Phoenix Auctions
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
248 *
2/- Dark Blue/Green De La Rue paper perf 12 [Pos 17] SG #129a with Type 1 ‘SPECIMEN.’ overprint. A total of four 2/- are recorded with this overprint, of which this is the sole example perf 12.
$600
249 D
2/- Dark Blue/Green SG #129a De La Rue paper perf 12 pair and singles (3) [6th printing, Pos 9, 10, 14, and 16-17] used with 6d Laureate on 1869 registered piece cancelled at Melbourne. A spectacular franking.
$600
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 105
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
250 U
2/- Dark Blue/Green SG #129a/ab De La Rue paper perfs 13 and 12 (2nd, 3rd and 4th printings) reconstruction of the combined Woodblock/electrotype plate of 30. Generally fine.
$400
251
2/- Blue/Green De La Rue paper perf 13 [Pos 20] SG #129b with diagonal Type 3 ‘SPECIMEN’ overprint. Some surface thinning, but one of two recorded examples, the other being perf. 12. This stamp is incorrectly listed in The Specimen Stamps of Victoria as being on Saunders paper.
$600
W
Phoenix Auctions
Page 106
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
253 252
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254 U
2/- Blue/Green SG #129b De La Rue paper perf 13 (5th printing) used on small piece with 1/Laureate perf 13 and 5/- blue/yellow Laureate from the 2nd printing showing portion of the sheet number ‘1’, cancelled Melbourne ‘1’. The only recorded example of the sheet number appearing on the face of the 5/- 2nd printing, caused by the fact that the 5/- stamp was wider than normal and only just fitted the watermarked sheets. 2/- Greenish Blue/Green De La Rue paper perf 13 [Pos 24] SG #129c with Type 6a ‘SPECIMEN’ overprint. Tiny thin and stain at upper left. Three examples recorded. This stamp is incorrectly listed in The Specimen Stamps of Victoria as being only on Saunders paper.
$1,000
2/- Greenish Blue/Green SG #129ca De La Rue paper perf 12 (12th printing) reconstruction of the combined Woodblock/electrotype plate of 30, including three pairs. Generally fine.
$350
$550
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 107
1864-73 2/- Blue Woodblock DLR Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
255 U
2/- Deep Greenish Blue/Green SG #129d De La Rue paper perf 12½ (20th printing) reconstruction of the combined Woodblock/electrotype plate of 30, including three pairs. Generally fine.
$350
Phoenix Auctions
Page 108
1867-80 2/- Blue Woodblock Saunders Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2
256
256
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257
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258
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259
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2/- Dark Blue/Green Saunders paper perf 13 [Pos 4] SG #130 with Type 4 ‘SPECIMEN’ overprint. Three examples recorded, one of which is in the Australia Post National Philatelic Collection. 2/- Dark Blue/Green Saunders paper perf 13 [Pos 18] SG #130 with Type 4 ‘SPECIMEN’ overprint. Three examples recorded, one of which is in the Australia Post National Philatelic Collection. 2/- Blue/Green SG #130a Saunders paper perf 13, fine, Cat £325.
$450 $300
2/- Blue/Green Saunders paper perf 13 [14th printing, Pos 5] SG #130a used with 1/- Bell and 8d Laureate on 1878 (May 20) large part address label from Melbourne to UK. A rare usage of this difficult stamp on cover from this small printing of 3,000. Ex Pack, Forster and Perry. [3/8d packet rate between 2lb4oz and 2lb12oz.]
$1,000
2/- Blue/Green Saunders paper perf 12 [Pos 10] SG #130ab with Type 8 ‘Specimen’ overprint. Three examples recorded, one of which is in the Royal Collection.
$500
$450
Roland Geitenbeek’s Woodblocks of Victoria
Page 109
1867-80 2/- Blue Woodblock Saunders Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
261
262
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2/- Dark Blue/Green Saunders paper perf 12 pair [13th printing, Pos 18-19] SG #130ab used with 2d Bell Die 1 and 6d Laureate on 1874 (Oct 12) registered cover from Melbourne to Creswick. Slightly reduced at left and right and with some defects on reverse as a result of being used as an address label affixed to a packet. A spectacular use of the 2/- by the Chinese community in Victoria. Ex Pack, Forster and Perry. [4/8d represents a letter rate for between 1lb8oz and 1lb9oz plus 6d registration fee.]
$3,000
2/- Dark Blue/Green Saunders paper perf 12 [13th printing, Pos 17] SG #130ab used with 9d Bell on 1875 (Feb 24) cover from Melbourne to France tied by duplexes. 2/- stamp with missing perf at top, otherwise an attractive combination of a scarce rate. [11d rate x3 to France via Brindisi.]
$500
Page 110
Phoenix Auctions
1867-80 2/- Blue Woodblock Saunders Paper Wmk Single-Lined 2 cont’d
263
2/- Deep Greenish Blue/Green SG #130c Saunders paper perf 12½ (14th and 19th printings) reconstruction of the combined Woodblock/electrotype plate of 30, including [Pos 1] unused, and with a strip of 3 (scarce) and two pairs, with [Pos 5] duplicated. 31 stamps.
$400