A large collection of British Commonwealth stamps has surpassed its estimate by 141.4% at an auction in Warwick, UK on May 2.
Estimated at £7,500, the 34 album collection, ranging from the reign of Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II, sold for £18,112.
 The SS Labrador hit rocks in the Hebrides in 1899 |
The day's best selling Great Britain cover was an underpaid 1872 example to Amoy, China via Brindisi. Featuring a franked 6d lilac, it realised £2,530 against a £2,000 valuation.
It included the "COLONYS SHARE OF FINE" handstamp, said to be the only cover featuring this rare mark.
One of the auction's most fascinating lots was a cover recovered from the 1899 wreck of the SS Labrador, which sold for £437 against a £200 estimate.
Addressed to London, it included the handstamps: "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN SEA WATER" and "FOUND AT GLASGOW / WITHOUT CONTENTS".
The Labrador was on route from St. John's, Newfoundland to Liverpool, UK when, surrounded by thick fog, she ran aground on rocks near the island of Tiree in Scotland.
All 74 passengers and 92 crew survived, along with some portions of her mail.
A collection of 69 pieces of ever popular wreck mail made £2,415 against an estimate of £1,600.
The sale is a reminder to stamp buyers that decent profits can be enjoyed across all price brackets.
Paul Fraser Collectibles is delighted to offer you our own collection of philatelic rarities, including several entry level pieces, such as this beauty currently at auction with our sister company.
We will continue to bring you all the main news from the world of stamp auctions, so make sure you check back here regularly.
