Perot's two-of-a-kind cover delivers $210,630 at Spink's 'stamp sale of century'

 

 

Here's another highlight from today's (June 28) Spink sale of the British Empire section of the legendary Chartwell Collection, as Paul Fraser Collectibles brings you the results updates from the auction saleroom.

The latest result is from another of the sale's most important lots, this time a cover: Perot's Second Issue at Hamilton. Dated to 1861, this lot features a 1d Carmine-Red Crowned Circle stamp on bluish laid paper.

(Not the first time that William Bennett Perot, the Postmaster of Bermuda, has made a significant appearance in this sale.)

The stamp has been neatly cancelled with pen cross. The envelope to which it is affixed - to "Miss Hurst Care of W. Evens" - bears a "HAMILTON/BERMUDA" circular datestamp.

Why did this cover go to auction with an estimate of $60,000-80,000? Well, it's the one of only five examples of this Carmine-Red Crowned Circle stamp ever recorded - and one of only two known which are affixed to a cover.


History on an envelope... Perot's Second Issue at Hamilton (£132,000)

Although two covers bearing this postmaster's provision stamp were recorded as being sent to the same address, the other became detached from it stamp. A collector named Morris Ludington later reunited both the stamp and its cover.

This example, aside from being rare, boasts remarkable provenance having formerly been owned by Sir Henry Tucker, the first Premier of Bermuda often called the "Architect of Bermuda." He bought it for $2,500 in 1950, and later sold it for £36,000 in 1978.

This is also the earliest. And with Spink's added endorsement - "in our opinion, [this is] the finest" - it's perhaps no surprise that Perot's Second Issue at Hamilton brought a £132,000 ($210,630) final price, with premium, in Spink's incredible sale.

It is the latest is a series of stamps to smash its estimate in what many are calling this generation's finest stamp auction.

Watch this space, or follow us on Twitter, as we bring you regular updates from Spink's amazing Chartwell auction as we bring you highlights from the saleroom floor.

 

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