Penny Black stamps in Shrewsbury sale

A private collection of stamps has been consigned to an upcoming sale at Shrewsbury auctioneers Halls Fine Art.

The collection has been in the possession of the collector for over seven decades.

The highlights include the Atkins/Fisher collection of penny blacks, which are distinguished by their full margins. These penny blacks pre-date perforations and so sheets of stamps were hand cut. Unsurprisingly, given their low value at the time, little care was taken when cutting stamps from the sheet on which they were printed. So, good margins are a rarity and, as with all collecting fields, rarity reigns, meaning these examples are worth more than their weight in gold, expecting to make between £1,400 and £1,800. 

Another six albums showcase a rare seahorse set of four, 1913-18, stamps and a Victorian £1 brown stamp. These albums are estimated at £14,000 – £18,000. 

This interesting collection will be offered at Halls Fine Art Auctioneers on May 4.