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 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030134849 
 
THE AVERY 
 COLLECTION. 
 
THE 
 
 AVERY COLLECTION 
 
 POSTAGE STAMPS OF 
 THE WORLD 
 
 W . H . P E C K I T T 
 
 London : 
 \V. H. FECKITT, 47 STRAND, VV.C. 
 
 1909 
 
(\r^i^]is 
 
 M, 
 
Sir William li. A\lrv, IJait. 
 
Preface. 
 
 IN the period at which it was formed the famous 
 Avery Collection was second only to that of the 
 Tapling Collection of Stamps in Great Britain. It 
 has much in common with the great collection which 
 now reposes in the British Museum, in that it is a 
 vast, comprehensive, general collection of the stamps 
 of the entire world, and it covers exactly the same 
 period — from the beginning until 1890. 
 
 As this is the first collection of such national 
 philatelic importance that has yet been broken up, 
 it seemed to me that collectors both at home and 
 abroad would be glad to have a souvenir of this great 
 event, and the form which naturally presented itself 
 to me as the most likely to be of interest and of 
 service to collectors was a short account of the 
 collection, accompanied by some illustrations of its 
 truly wonderful contents. 
 
 I was glad to have the opportunity of acquiring 
 this collection, for I had the privilege of being a 
 friend of the late owner, and had had no small share 
 in procuring for him many of the choicest treasures 
 it contains. All these are in the collection to this day, 
 and many of them are gems which nowadays are only 
 to be acquired in really important collections of the 
 olden time. 
 
 Such a collection makes a very appreciable addition 
 to one's stock, and, besides supplementing my re- 
 sources in the old issues of British and British 
 Colonial stamps, it greatly strengthens my stock of 
 the stamps of foreign countries. The contents of my 
 books of these latter issues have been greatly absorbed, 
 and the replenishing of them happily coincides with the 
 increasing popularity of foreign issues among collectors. 
 
8 TFiE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 The transaction by which I was enabled to acquire 
 the Avery Collection is the largest cash purchase on 
 record in connection with the pastime of stamp 
 collecting, the amount of ;^24,500 being paid by me 
 to the executors in a single cheque, being also 
 probably one of the most extensive deals in any form 
 of collecting hcbbv. 
 
Contents. 
 
 Frontispiece, - - _ _ 6 
 
 Preface, - - - . - , _ ^ 
 
 Sir William B. Avery as a Philatelist, ro 
 
 The Avery Collection. 
 
 Part I. — Great Britain and Colonies, 13 
 
 Part II. — Foreign Countries, - 39 
 
Sir William B. Avery 
 as a Philatelist 
 
 As a stamp collector Sir William started at a very 
 early age. In a letter to a mutual friend about 
 "this charming and interesting hobby," he wrote : 
 
 " I began when I was eight years old, and 
 collected in a very rough and elementary way until I 
 was about seventeen years old, having a collection of 
 about 1 500- 1 600 stamps when I sold my collection in 
 1871. 
 
 "I did nothing more in stamps until about 1878 
 when I commenced again with Lincoln's album, and 
 was fortunate enough to fill up most of the blank 
 spaces, and had a very good number of rare stamps 
 I was. however, very disgusted with this style of 
 collecting when I paid a visit to the Birmingham 
 Philatelic Society and saw the method of arranging 
 stamps on hinges and classifying perforations, and I 
 finally decided, about 1887, to sell my collection again. 
 
 " I sold some portion, but as I saw some of the 
 rarities go I changed my mind and began again with 
 a good Senf album. As I filled up one country after 
 another I began removing these into special albums. 
 
 " I had the opportunity of buying a good special 
 collection of Australian stamps belonging to Mr. 
 Bullock, of Australia, and added the Australian stamps 
 I had before to these, and so made it into a much 
 stronger and more perfect collection. 
 
 "Since then I have specialised Ceylon, India, all 
 English Colonies, Switzerland, France, and several 
 countries in North and South America and Africa, 
 and have altogether between 90,000 and 100,000 
 stamps. Most of them are used and unu.sed. 
 
 " In the early days I often felt most discouraged 
 when I saw really fine collections of specialities, but I 
 persevered, and as the saying is quite true, ' most 
 things come to those who know how to wait;' I am 
 
AS A PHILATELIST. ii 
 
 glad to say oy waiting and patiently working I have 
 now got many stamps which at one time I thought it 
 would be imposs'ble for me ever to attain." 
 
 Sir William tnus told the outline of the story of 
 his collecting experiences. I need only add that his 
 collection and his timf^ were very generously placed at 
 the service of many philatelic societies, and his name 
 on the programme of a meeting invariably ensured a 
 crowded attendance. At philatelic exhibitions he was 
 no less generous. His name does not appear in the 
 catalogue of the London 1890 International Exhibition, 
 but in 1 897 he made a gigantic show, though he con- 
 siderately marked his displays as "not for competition " 
 
 There he displayed his magnificent Mauritius for 
 the first time at a. public exhibition, and he had the 
 field here all to himself, as his was the recognised 
 premier collection of these most valued stamps. He 
 also shewed his British Guiana, confining his grand 
 display to the issues of 1850, 1852, 1853, 1856, and 
 1862, these being the most difficult for anyone else to 
 shew, and, needless to say, this was one of the most 
 valuable groups in the Exhibition. In Australians 
 Mr. Avery shewed various colonies in extenso. 
 His Cape of Good Hope display, which was perhaps 
 the most popular in the show at the galleries of the 
 Institute of Painters in Water Colours, was limited 
 to his extremely choice lot of triangular issues. 
 
 In the 1906 Exhibition he shewed his superb 
 collections of Switzerland and Nevis. 
 
 On several occasions Sir William entertained 
 parties of philatelists at his beautiful country house, 
 Oakley Court, Windsor, and the visitors to the 1906 
 Exhibition will always retain pleasant memories of the 
 delightful visit paid to Sir William Avery during the 
 course of the last great International Exhibition. 
 
12 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 Sir William made several notable purchases during 
 the formation of his collection. The acquisition of 
 three complete sets of the first issue of Moldavia in 
 one transaction is, I think, without, a parallel in the 
 annals of our hobby. In addition to the Bullock 
 Collection of Australians mentioned in the letter 
 quoted above, he purchased the Blest Collection, which 
 was a fine general one of British Colonials, but was 
 particularly strong in stamps of the West Indies, and 
 the Mackenzie Collection of Nevis. The Blest 
 Collection, I believe, cost Sir William about ^5000. 
 He also bought Lieutenant Napier's specialised 
 Collection of Greece. 
 
 Then he had the pick of most of the big collections 
 that came on the market for many years past, and 
 many of his choicest gems came from such collections 
 as iNIr. Hastings J. Wright's " Great Britain," 
 Ehrenbach's " German Empire," and many others. 
 
 I now proceed to an account of some of the beauties 
 of this remarkable collection, starting with the 
 stamps of Great Britain and her overseas Empire. 
 
 In describing some of the rarities, I would ask the 
 reader's indulgence, inasmuch as it is a matter of 
 considerable difficulty, where so many of the great 
 rarities are in such a wonderful state of perfection, to 
 find varied and adequate terms for description. 
 
 Also, in order to bring this souvenir within 
 convenient limits it has been quite impossible to refer 
 to more than a few specially interesting items in most 
 of the countries referred to. The omission of a 
 country, or the omission of any reference to particular 
 stamps, should not be taken to infer that they are 
 absent from the collection, but that exigencies of space 
 have led me to omit mention of stamps which are in 
 most cases quite fully represented, but do not present 
 really exceptional features. 
 
The Avery Collection. 
 
 Part I. — Great Britain and Colonies. 
 
ntK E i-' /:> L:h.i. /-/■:/•/,'"« 'v'A' yi. 
 
GREAT BRITAIN and COLONIES. 15 
 
 Great Britain. 
 
 I might here mention that most of the finest 
 EngHsh stamps came from the Hastings Wright 
 Collection, and were bought in 1895. Many of the 
 rarities are in a condition which is not to be equalled 
 in any collection of later times. 
 
 As we open the volume set apart for the stamps of 
 this country, we find the collection makes a very 
 appropriate commencement with the Parliamentary 
 envelopes which are referred to in Rowland Hill's 
 diary under the date January 13, 1840. Following 
 upon a visit of Hill to the Speaker of the House of 
 Commons, there were issued on January 16 "letter 
 covers " which the members could buy at the office for 
 the sale of Parliamentary papers. These letter covers 
 were to pass free through the Post Office, and were the 
 immediate predecessors of the Mulready envelope and 
 the adhesive postage stamp. 
 
 There were several varieties of these interesting" 
 covers, and the collection under review contains two 
 copies of the House of Commons variety, one of the 
 Houses of Parliament envelopes, and two of the House 
 of Lords, one of the latter being on yellow and the 
 other on blue paper. 
 
 Mulready's envelopes and covers are represented 
 by ordinary specimens and a proof on India paper. 
 
 Among the id. blacks the most notable items are the 
 id. V.R. stamps in a single, a pair, and a magnificent 
 block of twenty. 
 
 The introduction of perforating, as every collector 
 knows, was the result of experiments made by Mr. 
 Henry Archer, and one of his experimental 
 " roulettes " is included in the collection. 
 
i6 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 There are also the id. on Dickinson paper; the 
 id. red, imperforate, in a block of 40; and four unused 
 singles of plate 225. 
 
 Of the line-engraved i|-d. stamp copies are included 
 imperforate and with the error op-pc, and there is a 
 grand block of forty imperforate, in the issued colour, 
 and shewing the error. Other large pieces are 
 included of the lilac-rose, including a block of fifteen 
 
 Of the 2d. "no lines" there are two unused pairs 
 and three singles. There is also a large block (32) of 
 the imperforate 2d. with white lines. 
 
 The 3d. "secret dot" is shewn with unofficial 
 perforation, and a complete unbroken pane shewing 
 the sheet number " 20." 
 
 The 4d. " small garter " is included, perforated and 
 imperforate, unused; the "medium garter" on blue 
 paper, and a pair of mediums on white paper ; and a 
 block of the " large garter " in the first printing. 
 
 The embossed stamps are all in an unequalled state 
 of pre.servation ; there is the 6d. in a magnificent right- 
 hand corner block of four. Another specimen of the 
 6d. is, without doubt, the finest copy known, its 
 embossing being bold and absolutely unsullied. 
 
 ■ Coming to the surface-printed 6d., we find the 
 "hair lines," imperforate, in a pane of twenty, shewing 
 sheet number "212," and the 6d. overprint with only 
 one dot under the superior letter " 6*?". 
 
 The gd., plate 5, which came from the Wright 
 Collection, is an extreme rarity. Only seven or eight 
 copies of this stamp are known. 
 
 Of the lod. embossed there are superb copies, 
 including unused block of four in mint state and a 
 strip of three (no die number) from the right-hand top 
 corner of the sheet. There is also a vertical pair, one 
 
GREAT BRITAIN and COLONIES. 17 
 
 stamp overlapping the other quite half-way up the 
 first impressed stamp. 
 
 The i/- embossed are as fine, the die number 
 standing up on the copies as fresh as if the stamps 
 were just off" the embossing machine. Several of these 
 are out of the Wright Collection. 
 
 The i/- violet (surface printed) is shewn perforated 
 and imperforate. 
 
 Of the 2/- blue there are pairs ' perforated and 
 imperforate, and the 2/- brown in a nice pair, unused. 
 
 The 5/-, 10/-, and /^i, watermarked Cross, are all 
 here, and the 10/- blue on blued paper in fine unused 
 state. 
 
 The £1, watermarked "Three Crowns" and "Three 
 Orbs," are shewn in very fine state and with shades, 
 and there is the ^5 on blued paper. Of the I.R. 
 officials there are three pairs of the 5/- and 10/- ; the 
 5/- on blued paper ; the ^i brown, watermarked 
 " Crowns " and " Orbs " ; and two of the ;^i green. 
 
 Barbados. 
 
 Among the better known rarities here there is the 
 id. on half 5/-, unused. Of the Large Star watermarks 
 there is a block of six of the is., fifty of the ^d. grass- 
 green, ten i/-, no watermark, and four each of the 6d. 
 and I/-, imperforate. 
 
 British Columbia and Vancouver Island. 
 
 The few stamps of this colony are complete, and 
 there are several copies of most of the values. 
 
 British Guiana. 
 
 Here we have one of the colonies whose stamps 
 provide one of the broad fields in which the philatelic 
 giants roam among rarities. Sir William had most 
 
i8 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 of the gems of this colony, including the famous 
 circular 2 cents rose, which is one of the most highly 
 esteemed of philatelic treasures. Unfortunately, Sir 
 William sold this stamp to me some years ago, and it 
 is not now in the collection. His reason for parting 
 with it was that it was not a very fine specimen and 
 he had hoped to get a finer one, a hope that, 
 alas, was never to be realised. 
 
 The other -very rare circular stamps of 1850 are 
 represented by the 4 cents on orange and on yellow 
 paper, two 8 cents on green, and five 12 cents on blue, 
 and the 4 cents on yellow on pelure paper. The variety 
 of the 12 cents in which the 2 has a straight foot is 
 included. This, of course, is a rarity doubly rare. 
 
 Of the long, upright, oblong stamps of 1852, litho- 
 graphed by Waterlow of London, there is one i cent 
 black on magenta, unused, a block of four, and seven 
 singles, used. Of the 4 cents black on deep blue there 
 are two unused and five used. 
 
 The next issue (1853) is another series of fine 
 stamps represented in the collection by some grand 
 copies unused, and showing the types. Of the i cent 
 there are six unused, and pairs and strips, and a strip 
 of five shewing the types used. Of the 4 cents blue 
 there are four unused without the white line and two 
 with the white line. 
 
 In the next set, printed in the office of the Official 
 Gazette, at Georgetown, in [''ebruary, 1856, the i cent 
 black on magenta is one of the few great rarities which 
 is missing from the Avery Collection. As every 
 collector knows, only one copy of this stamp is known, 
 and that is the specimen in the collection of M. la 
 Renotiere. Of the companion rarity, however, the 
 collection contains one of the 4 cents, on blue surface- 
 coloured paper, and four singles and two on entire 
 original envelope of the 4 cents on magenta. 
 

 
 .vS?'il^'!fe?S«fS"S.% 3^S?S?:>?6X;'?SS?SS5i 'v^?**i?^f-9>>"? 
 
 IJritish fniiana. 1862. 
 
 4 cunts. Iilaclv on 1-luc. 
 
 One I'f tht; tlirec kmnvn slieets 
 
20 THK AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 The subsequent Waterlow issue is shewn in proHfic 
 display, but I will pass these and come to the type-set 
 stamps printed by Mr. George Melville, of the Royal 
 Gazette, in 1862. 
 
 Of the I cent black on rose there is a complete 
 sheet unsigned. The stamps are usually initialled 
 with the letters R.M. (Robert Mather, the Acting 
 Receiver General of the Colony). There are also 
 three unused signed copies and numerous used 
 specimens. 
 
 A sheet of the 2 cents black on yellow has been 
 reconstructed, partly from unused and partly from 
 used copies, and there are also some duplicates 
 
 The 4 cents black on blue, which is very much 
 rarer than the i cent, is here in a complete recon- 
 structed setting, including seventeen unused and 
 unsigned copies, sixteen of which are in one block. 
 There are, I believe, only three such settings known, 
 one being in the British Museum, one in the collection 
 of M. la Renotiere, and this is the third, of which I 
 give an illustration from the Avery Collection. 
 
 British Honduras. 
 
 A good collection, right up to the end of the 
 Queen's head issue of 1899, and including the 3 cents 
 on 3d. brown, perforated 12^^. 
 
GREAT BRITAIN anm. COLONIES. 21 
 
 Canada. 
 
 This is a particularly o-Qorl allium, cnntainin^;' five 
 of the rare i2d. black. Of these two are in a magnifi- 
 cent unLised pair, another is a sujjerb imusecl single 
 copy, with large side margin in jierfectly iVesh state 
 of colour, and probalily a first impression. Two of 
 the five copies are used. 
 
 Other choice stamps are the 6d. on thick paper, 
 unused, six of the 6d., imperforate, unused, a pair ot 
 the lod. and another pair of the 7^d., all im|)erforate 
 and unused, a strip of four j^d. green, and six of the 
 6d., perforated i 2. 
 
 Capk of Good Hoik. 
 
 '■ Wn.Kll.l.Hks," l,lnrk mI" r.iur- 1,1. hr-MU-lT.I. 
 
 The tri-cornered stam[)s of this colony, which have 
 always held a high place in the esteem of all collectors, 
 both advanced and elementary, are in a IjeautituI array 
 
22 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 in this collection, and include most of the rare varieties. 
 
 Three fine unused copies of the id. brick-red on 
 blued paper and three of the 4d. blue on blued paper 
 make a very promising opening page to the collection. 
 
 The 6d. slate-lilac on blued paper is in an unused 
 pair. 
 
 There is also the 6d. lilac rouletted. 
 
 The provisional issues, popularly known as " Wood- 
 blocks," comprise some magnificent copies, in singles 
 and pairs ; in fact, the condition of the " Woodblocks " 
 is finer even than that of these stamps in the famous 
 Vernon Roberts' Collection, which I acquired in 1907. 
 
 There are two unused id. "woodblocks," a block 
 of four of the id. brick-red, unique in its perfection 
 of condition. The ^d. is in a pair and a single unused, 
 and five superb used pairs in different shades Of 
 the deep blue 4d. there are twelve copies and one 
 magnificient unused stamp. In printing these stamps 
 from a number of separate electrotypes, one of 
 the cliches of the id. value got in with the set 
 prepared for printing the 4d. value, and one of 
 the 4d. cliches got amongst the id. cliches. The 
 result was that in printing the sheet of 4d. blue stamps 
 one of the id. cliches was printed in blue instead of 
 red. Similarly, one of the 4d. ones got printed in 
 red instead of blue. 
 
 These errors are of great rarity, and the copies of 
 them in this collection could scarcely be surpassed in 
 their condition. There is a very fine id. blue, and 
 a pair shewing the error id. blue and the normal 
 4d. blue se tenant. There are also two brilliant copies 
 of the 4d. red. 
 
 Another rare stamp is the 4d with retouched right- 
 hand corner. This is shewn in a pair with die normal 
 stamp se tenant . 
 
4<1- rud c-ri'nr. 
 
 ul. blue error with 4d. lilue se (euanf. 
 
 4(1. red er 
 
24 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 In the later stamps are many desirable possessions. 
 I note in particular the error "THE.EE PENCE" 
 on 4d., in perfect mint state. 
 
 Ceylon. 
 
 Some carefully selected copies of the beautiful 
 imperforate stamps of the first issues are in this 
 section of the collection. The gd. unused is illustrated. 
 There is a fine pair of the 1/9 unused, and two mint 
 copies of the 2/-. In addition, there is a fine series of 
 used copies. The -g-d. lilac on bluish paper is rep- 
 resented by two unused copies, and the 2/- clean cut 
 perforation all round is also included among- the 
 unused specimens. Other important items are the gd. 
 reddish brown, unused ; a pair, used, of the 2d. 
 yellow green watermarked Crown and CC, and a long 
 range of the late issues including some scarce surcharge 
 varieties. 
 
 Cook Islands. 
 
 This colony, which presents a small but not un- 
 interesting series of stamps for the moderate specialist, 
 is extensively shewn in the collection, with some 
 nice blocks and all the paper and perforation varieties. 
 
 F'lJL' 
 
 It is only in collections formed a good many years 
 ago by the collectors of the old school that one is 
 
GREAT BRITAIN and COLONIES. 25 
 
 nowadays able to occasionally procure really nice lots 
 of authentic copies of the Fiji Times Express stamps, 
 and they are in the Avery Collection on a fine scale 
 on both the quadrille and the laid batonne papers. 
 
 Amongst the items that attract particular attention 
 there are two pairs of the 3d. and gd. values se tenant 
 and the 6d. and is. se tenant, a very fine lot of the 
 later surcharges, including a pair of the 2d. on 1 2 cents., 
 on 6d. used. 
 
 India. 
 
 India presents a good showing, though there is 
 little that requires special notice. There is a fine 
 series of the stamps issued under the authority of 
 Sir Henry Bartle Frere, who was Chief Commissioner 
 in Scinde in July, 1852. These are small, embossed 
 labels of a curious character, and represent the begin- 
 nings of the introduction of the postage stamp system 
 in India. A complete sheet of the half anna stamp 
 of the first general Indian issue is an item in this 
 collection with which one very rarely meets. 
 
 Ionian Islands. 
 
 Of the stamps issued in 1859 for these islands, 
 previous to their being ceded to Greece, 30th May, 
 1864, there is a very nice lot, including two of the 
 blue stamps and two of the yellow ones, used together 
 on one envelope. This portion of the collection 
 contains an interesting variety of postmarks. 
 
 Madagascar. 
 
 It is unusual to find more than single copies of 
 these curious stamps in even important collections, 
 but they are represented in the Avery Collection in 
 strips, with many of the varieties. 
 
26 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 Mauritius. 
 
 If one could designate any one portion of this 
 monumental collection as being the country par 
 excellence one would have to accord the palm to 
 Mauritius, which is, at the same time, one of the most 
 fascinating philatelic studies, and also the country 
 which claims the most valued of gems, the " Post 
 Office " Mauritius. 
 
 ^ The collection of these stamps was exhibited at 
 the London International Philatelic Exhibition in 
 1897. 
 
 Both of the famous Post Office Mauritius are in 
 the collection. They are both superb, unused copies. 
 These stamps are much rarer unused than used. Of 
 the twenty-six copies known of these stamps there are 
 only five unused of the 2d. value, and only two of the 
 id. unused. The Avery copy of the id. value, and 
 the one in the collection of M. La Renotiere are the 
 only unused id. Post Office Mauritius known. 
 
 Both of these highly-treasured stamps were found 
 in the correspondence of a big firm in the armament 
 business at Bordeaux. They were acquired by Airs. 
 Dubois, who had the majority of the known ' Post 
 Offices " through her hands. These two were sold to 
 Mons. E. Lalanne about 1867. 
 
 ^I. Lalanne also acquired two used copies of the 
 stamps. In 1893, the collection Lalanne was sold to 
 Mons. Piet. Lataudrie, ^.w avocat o{ W\oxl, France, who, 
 not desiring to keep the four Post Office Mauritius, 
 commissioned Mons. Marcel Pouget to sell the two 
 beautiful unused ones for him, retaining the used ones 
 for his collection. In this way. Sir William Avery 
 became possessed of these incomparable copies of the 
 best known of philatelic rara aves. 
 

 
 a POSTAGE) 
 
 s 
 
 
 o 
 /I 
 
 El 
 
 1 
 
 
 TWO PJENCEB 
 
 
 
 The matchless unused cnpies of the id. and 2(1. "Post Oftice ' 
 Mauritius. 
 
 Idle ''Post I'aid error. 
 I'EXOE for PENCE. 
 
28 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 Of the other rare early issues of Mauritius there is 
 a splendid range of the stamps inscribed post paid, 
 on yellow, white, and bluish papers, including choice 
 early impressions of the id., and the later impres.sions 
 in unused vertical pairs. There are also three grand 
 premieres gra-jures oi \h& 2d., one of them an incom- 
 parable copy of the error PENOE. In addition, there 
 are numbers of the later impressions unused, and some 
 beautiful used copies, which are so lightly cancelled 
 that it is difficult in several cases to discern whether 
 they are used or unused. There are three other pence 
 errors, and a reconstructed plate of this 2d. value. 
 
 Of the " small fillet " 2d. there are some fine 
 unused and a reconstructed plate. There are two 
 unused and five used of the " large fillet," and, in 
 addition, a copy used with the dull magenta gd. of 
 the Britannia type, on an entire envelope. 
 
 The "Greek border" set of December, 1859, is 
 very fine. There are seven singles and a pair of the 
 id. unused, and perfect used copies in singles and pairs. 
 Of the 2d. value there are two unused, two used pairs, 
 and various singles. Of the i/- Britannia type per- 
 forated there are an unused and seven used copies. 
 
 The later issues have been collected on a similarly 
 fine scale. 
 
 Natal. 
 
 The earliest stamps of this colony are very rarely 
 seen in such "new" condition as the Avery copies, 
 notably the four 3d. and the four gd., three of which 
 are exceptionally large copies ; there are, in addition, 
 two of the gd. stamps used on entire original cover. 
 There is also a copy of the i/-, which is matchless 
 both for size and impression. All the later issues and 
 surcharges are fine. 
 
GRi':Ar I! 
 
 TAIX AMI COLON IKS. 
 
 -9 
 
 Nkvis 
 
 
 \i'Bsts^i^% ^^P«3^'i 'Si%s^<'Si 
 
 ,:i—inL*->33Ba):- ■^bssU MMSSbiid :; , :-aa>a «lgnJ-SaBai-> 
 
 i^^*^i il^''^^^ lp£3'^«3^ 
 
 4(1. n i^e, rMiiipltte sheet. 
 
 This island colony has always Ijeen a fa\-oiirite 
 with collectors of the old school, and the pretty little 
 sheets of tweh'e, in which the (jiiaint early ty[)es were 
 printed, make a most attractive show in a collection. 
 .Sir William had the exceptional opportunity of 
 nurchasinij- the famous Mackenzie collection, which 
 
6il. litliDLjraplifd. ompltjte sheet. 
 
 A 
 
 i/- blue gi'cen, ungraved 
 
GREAT BRITAIN and COLONIES. 31 
 
 had always the reputation of being the collection par 
 excellence of Nevis. 
 
 The complete sheets of twelve include proof sheets 
 of the engraved id. in green, 4d. in pale blue, 6d. in 
 yellow, and i/- in rose. 
 
 Of the id. engraved, in addition to a large number 
 of single specimens, there is an entire unbroken sheet 
 of the variety on grey paper, and two plates re- 
 constructed of unused, and one plate uf used specimens 
 
 The 4d. value is strongly represented. There is a 
 grand unbroken sheet in mint state, and there are two 
 reconstructed plates of unused and one of used 
 specimens. 
 
 The 6d. stamp is also shewn on much the same 
 scale, with an unbroken mint sheet, one reconstructed 
 sheet of unused, and one of used copies 
 
 The I /- is shewn reconstructed, both unused and used. 
 
 Of the engraved id., perforated 15, there is an 
 unbroken sheet ; the 4d. orange also an unbroken 
 sheet, and one unused reconstructed sheet and one 
 used. The i/- blue-green is in an unbroken sheet 
 with full margins. It is extremely rare in this 
 condition. There is also a sheet reconstructed of used 
 specimens. Of the i/- yellow-green there are several 
 copies, used and unused, and the laid paper rarity. 
 
 The lithographed stamps of the same types are all 
 fine. There are four shades in unbroken sheets of the 
 id. The 4d. is in an unbroken sheet, and a sheet has 
 been reconstructed of used copies, and there are, in 
 addition, pairs and singles unused. The 6d. is 
 represented by an unbroken .sheet, pairs, and twenty 
 singles, unused. There are complete sheets of the i/- 
 pale and i/- deep green, and the imperforate variety 
 in pairs. Of the id., perforated ii|^, there are 
 two unbroken sheets. 
 
32 THE A\'ERY COLLECTION. 
 
 The later issues are very strong — the twenty 2|d. 
 Crown C.C. stamps, an array of bisected, and double 
 surcharges in violet and black, unused, and five of the 
 6d. green, being the most notable items. 
 
 New Brunswick. 
 
 Of the beautiful first issue printed in London there 
 are nineteen of the 6d. and eight of the i/- value, two 
 of the latter being unused. 
 
 There are two of the rare Connell stamps, which, 
 as most collectors know, were withdrawn on account 
 of the outcry against the Postmaster-General, Charles 
 Connell, for having the audacity to put his own portrait 
 on one of the colony's postage stamps The "split" 
 provisionals, consisting of the stamps of the various 
 denominations cut in half to represent half the face 
 value, are here shewn on the entire envelopes, including 
 some interesting postmarks. 
 
 Newfoundland. 
 
 Here we have a rare profusion of the first type. 
 Of the 2d. scarlet-vermilion there are ten copies, two 
 being unused. There is also a pair with very large 
 margins on entire envelope. This pair, which came 
 out of the Blest Collection, is, I believe, unique. 
 
 There are six 4d. scarlet-vermilion, two being 
 brilliant unused copies ; five of the 6d. scarlet- 
 vermilion, two of them unused ; seven of the 6|-d. 
 scarlet-vermilion ; and nine of the i/- scarlet-vermilion, 
 one of the latter being a beautiful unused copy. 
 
 Of the orange-vermilion specimens there are eight 
 of the 4d., five of them unused, and one being the 
 stamp from the bottom right-hand corner of the sheet, 
 with margin and full gum. There are also ten of the 
 6d. (two unused) and four of the i/- (one unused). 
 
GREAT BRITAIN and COLONIES. 33 
 
 The extent to which the later issues have been 
 specialised may be hinted at by the mention of no 
 fewer than fifty-seven copies of the 5c. brown of 1866 
 (seal design). 
 
 Nova Scotia. 
 
 The 1851-1853 issue includes a splendid page of 
 the id., including strips unused ; sixteen of the 6d., 
 six of which are unused, in various shades, includino- a 
 pair with original gum ; eight of the i/-, four of which 
 are beautiful unused copies. 
 
 Oil Rivers. 
 
 The stamps of this Protectorate are particularly 
 well represented with all the varieties of surcharges. 
 The collection is especially strong in the surcharges 
 on the De La Rue types. 
 
 St. Christopher. 
 
 This is a popular little colony with the stamp 
 collectcjr, who finds ample scope for a moderately- 
 specialised collection. The whole of the issues up to 
 the time when the special stamps for St. Christopher 
 were superseded by the general issues for Leeward 
 Islands in 1890 are complete. 
 
 St. Helena. 
 
 Here we have the 6d. without surcharge in nice 
 blocks, and the id., imperforate, in blocks of six the 
 other overprints forming a very beautiful lot. 
 
 St. Lucia. 
 
 There is here a goodly array of rare shades in 
 singles, pairs, and blocks, both of the Perkins- Bacon 
 printing and of the De La Rue printings. 
 
34 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 St. Vincent. 
 
 There is amongst other gems a fine copy of the 
 i/- Hlac-rose, two of the 5/-, watermarked Star, 
 and two of the 46. on i/- vermihon. The early 
 perforation varieties, and the surcharges from 1880 
 onwards, are all in the pink of condition. 
 
 Straits Settlements. 
 
 Here we find several M.S. surcharges, including 
 the 2 on i|- M.S., and a nice lot of the scarcer 
 types of the printed surcharges, and a pair of the 
 no surcharge. 
 
 Of the stamps overprinted " B " for use in Bangkok 
 there is a good show. The 32c. in black on 2a. yellow 
 (wmk. Elephant's Head) is represented both unused 
 and used. The 30c. claret and 96c. grey (wmk. 
 Crown C.C.) are both shewn unused. 
 
 In a fairly extensive collection of the stamps 
 overprinted for the various Native States, it is difficult 
 to select items for special mention without entering 
 upon a mere catalogue. The very rare ic. yellow 
 and 4c. rose of the 1881-83 issue of Sungei Ujong are, 
 however, worth special mention. 
 
 Tasmania. 
 
 The crude first stamps of " \"an Diemen's Land," 
 and, indeed, the whole of the issues of this colony, 
 fill a very fine album. The first id. is here in a 
 reconstructed sheet and a number of duplicates, and 
 four unused. There is also a good show of the 4d. 
 of the same period. The later stamps include some 
 of the rare perforation and roulette varieties. 
 
GREAT BRITAIN and COLONIES. ^s 
 
 T 
 
 RANSVAAL. 
 
 Here we have a very nice lot, but not calling for 
 notable mention, except, perhaps, the fine block of 
 four, used, of the V.R. red and the i(^^e beche pair of 
 the i/- unused. 
 
 Trinidad. 
 
 This island colony is very strongly shown. Large 
 blocks of the first issue engraved and printed by 
 Messrs. Perkins, Bacon & Co., are followed by a nice 
 lot of the stamps lithographed in the colony shewing 
 all stages of the impressions from the finest clear 
 prints to the impressions shewing hardly any of the 
 lines of the background, and including the cartridge 
 paper varieties. 
 
 There is also an unused copy of the i/- no 
 watermark, bright mauve, perforated 13. 
 
 The rare Lady M'Leod stamp, which had been 
 issued in 1847 for use on letters conveyed by the 
 steamer of that name trading between San Fernando 
 and Port of Spain, is represented by an unused copy 
 and two used copies on envelopes. 
 
 TuRK.s Islands. 
 
 There are four copies of the rare 1/- prune, 
 complete panes of the ^d. surcharge, a strip of six 
 of the " 2\ " on id., and a block of four of the " 2^ " 
 on i/- blue, shewing two of the scarce types. 
 
 Victoria. 
 
 Many of the choice items in this colony's stamps 
 came from the Bullock Collection (purchased 1892), 
 to which reference has already been made. 
 
 There are some choice strips of the first type in 
 scarce shades, eight shades of theyf;zi? background 2d., 
 
2,6 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 and a block of the 3d. first printing, and a single 
 and a pair unused of the 3d., perforated 12. 
 
 The plates of the Queen on Throne type have been 
 reconstructed. 
 
 Among other rarities there is a beautiful copy in 
 fine colour of the 6d. orange, with beaded oval, for 
 a copy of which stamp I recently paid a record price 
 at the sale of the Mirabaud Collection. There are 
 also three unused and four used copies of the 5/- 
 on yellow paper. 
 
 The collection also contains two unused copies of 
 the rare Registration stamp, and four unused copies 
 of the Too Late stamp. 
 
 Virgin Islands. 
 
 These quaint stamps are shewn in singles, blocks, 
 and sheets. There is a complete sheet of the id, 
 watermarked Crown C.C., and the id. green of 1866 is 
 included with compound perforation 15x12. Only two 
 or three copies are known of this last-named stamp. 
 
 \Ve.stp:kn Australi.\. 
 
 4d. blue, error — frame inverled. 
 
 This colony is represented in particularly fine 
 style. Its gems have come partly from the Bullock 
 Collection (1892), and partly from an exhibit at the 
 Paris International Philatelic Exhibition in the Palais 
 
GREAT BRITAIN and COLONIES. ^^-j 
 
 des Arts Libcraux in the Champs de Mars, in 
 September, 1892. 
 
 The Avery copy of the 40!. with inverted Swan is 
 probably the finest copy extant of this excessively 
 rare stamp. Sir ^^^illiam purchased it from Mr. W. 
 P. Rodd, of Hamburg, in 1895. 
 
 I well remember the day on which he secured this 
 stamp. He was just setting out for the Riviera when 
 it arrived, and he had very little time to catch his 
 train. He rushed into my office on his way to 
 Charing- Cross to ask me all about it and what it was 
 worth. He clutched me by the arm, and almost 
 carried me off with him into the train, and on the way 
 to Cannon Street we discussed this very fine new 
 acquisition, of which he was always justifiably proud. 
 
 In this colony the collection shews the i/- salmon, 
 which is a rare shade, and a large number of shades 
 of the i/- brown. Of the roulettes there are the 2d. 
 on Indian red, and tour of the 4d. blue, with the 
 roulettes shewing perfectly all round the stamps. 
 
 Of the 2d., imperforate, on red there are three pairs 
 and ten singles unused, and three pages of used copies, 
 ranging from the earliest impressions to the latest, 
 the last shewn being one impression which is almost 
 completely undecipherable. The 6d. bronze include 
 four unused and a pair used on envelope, and a 
 number of used copies. 
 
 In the i860 series there are seventy-two 2d., six- 
 teen 4d., and eight 6d., and a very fine lot of the 
 roulettes of all values. 
 
 1 86 1. There are two singles and a pair unused of 
 the 4d. vermilion, perforated 14-16, six unused 
 specimens of the 6d. purple on blued paper, and a 
 pair and three singles of the i/- deep green, unused. 
 
 c 
 
38 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 Sir William had a particular fancy for the 2d. error 
 of colour in the watermarked Crown C.C. series of 
 1865. This is the 2d. in mauve (the colour of the 6d), 
 instead of in yellow. Consequently, he purchased 
 every one he was offered. The collection contains no 
 fewer than six unused and two used. 
 
The Avery Collection, 
 
 Part II. — Foreign Countries. 
 
I 1 1 . 1 1' "i. I i." n V t u \ 
 
 au/pf coiy/r/uui-t: ol^i^ /'(//vAw . ,. ■ , ' 7 i 
 
 10. JOKi f.WTOX-Vl- 
 
 Port |..';-u[. 
 
 
 ■^f\iK 
 
 Ui I'OKT >"-*. VTOV \L r-' 
 
 
 IQ PORT r, *- i O .\ 
 
 
 -,,. i-ohT 
 
 <■ 
 
 -'■ii^': 
 
 ^■ffl 
 
 tr 
 
 Port la«jal ! 
 
 I't'KT f WriiVM. 
 
 
 jT^ 
 
 V^_J| 
 
 ''try I yffl _' 1 1' 
 
 
 tiv. 
 
 10 IPOBT 
 
 r. 
 
 .-^ 
 
 S 
 
 "^S^ 
 
 -V 
 
 J. ^'^ 
 
 (', 
 
 p.-ViSrt^„_l 
 
 10. jPOHT t:, V.VTqVAI.'. CVni. i lO- IrttKT ^ A\rO>,"^AL . ,t>rvl . ' 1Q >ORT 
 
 — ' - '■ HI '- — ^ ■ " — T-^-:^ 
 
 :^i^ 
 
 Switzerland. 
 
 Thu " Double (leneva ' 
 
 Corner block of 64. 
 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 41 
 
 Argentine Republic. 
 
 Of the rare Buenos Ayres " Ship" issues there are 
 three vertical pairs of the dos ps (2 pesos) blue, in mint 
 state, about half-a-dozen of the tres ps (3 pesos) 
 green, two cuato ps (4 pesos) scarlet, and two cinco ps 
 (5 pesos) yellow, unused. 
 
 The general issues are practically complete up to 
 1890 and include some nice pairs and blocks. 
 
 Austrian Italy. 
 
 The lover of old Europeans would be charmed 
 with the display of these stamps in perfect mint blocks 
 of four, including" the very valuable 45 centes. 
 
 Belgium. 
 
 There is a corner left-hand block of the loc first 
 issue, unused, twelve of the 1850 loc. brown, and eight 
 of the 20c. blue, " with frame " and side margins of the 
 sheet, also a good strong collection of the other issues. 
 
 Brazil. 
 
 The early issues of this country, which was the 
 first to follow Rowland Hill's plan of prepaying postage 
 by means of stamps, make a very interesting show. 
 There are, amongst other items, two sets of the 180, 
 300, and 600 reis, with slanting figures. 
 
 Colombia. 
 
 The multitudinous issues for this country and its 
 departments provide a very wide and fascinating field 
 for research without a great expenditure. Sir William 
 Avery had a liking for these curious issues, and 
 his collection contains nice pairs in the two Granada 
 Confederation series and several beautiful pages of the 
 
42 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 first issues for the United States of New Granada, 
 including used pairs and strips. There is also a very 
 fine copy of the error 50c red of 1863. 
 
 There are here, as in other of the American 
 countries, numbers of varieties to be worked out by 
 the specialist. 
 
 The rare first types of Antioqtda are represented 
 by some brilliant copies, and there is a set of the Cali 
 provisionals on the grey-blue paper, stamps which are 
 very rarely met with except in the great collections. 
 
 Dominican Republic. 
 
 Of both values in the two rare first issues there are 
 several copies and a reconstructed sheet of the 
 \ real black on rose, wove paper, and i real black on 
 green, laid paper. There is a fine lot of the upright 
 oblong stamps of 1 866-74, including some sheets and the 
 rare i real on blue paper with the inscriptions omitted. 
 
 Italy and Italian States. 
 
 The unused 3 lire stamp. 
 
 The first issue of Tuscany on greyish blue paper 
 includes some blocks for the connoisseur of postage 
 stamps. There is an unused block of four of the 
 1 soldo, and an unused single copy. The 2 soldi is 
 represented by three unused and a pair used. Of 
 the 60 crazie brick-red on azure, of 1852, there are no 
 fewer than two unused and three used. 
 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
 
 43 
 
 I he 1853 issue on watermarked paper is complete, 
 and includes two unused and fi\'e used of the 1 soldo 
 yellow buff. 
 
 In the next issue (i860) we find a very fine unused 
 copy of the rarity, the 3 lire yellow, and a used copy. 
 
 
 Xaplc^ |7 tornese. Block uf cii^liL used on entire eu\ elope. 
 
 In Naples there are five copies of the \ tornese 
 blue of the " Arms " type of November, i860, and one 
 unused of the " Cross" type of December, i860. The 
 used copies of the latter include three singles, a pair, 
 and a block of eiy'ht on original cover. 
 
 Ihe "King Ferdinand" or " P)omba " issues ior 
 Sicily, which are now being so much sought after by 
 the student of "retouches," are re[)resented by a fine 
 array of half sheets, including the 2, 5, and 50gT. 
 There is a l)lock of six of the 2ogr., containing the 
 rare retouch. 
 
 The very interesting Sardinia impressed letter 
 sheets which were used to collect the Government tax 
 
44 
 
 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 on letters conveyed by carriers and others as early as 
 1818 are represented by several entire letter sheets, 
 and there is a choice block of fifteen of the 40c. rose 
 of 1 85 1 issue. 
 
 The general issues of Italy, while of considerable 
 interest, present no particularly inaccessible items. 
 The collection is practically complete in all the issues. 
 
 France. 
 
 Of the first " Ceres " issue of this country, which is 
 a favourite with specialists, there are mint blocks of 
 four, including the 15 centimes yellow-green on 
 green, and the i franc vermilion. There are choice 
 single copies af the i franc in the scarce orange shade, 
 and singles and pairs used on the entire envelopes of 
 this and other values. 
 
 Of the varieties in pairs there are some rare items. 
 A strip of three of the loc, 1849-50, shewing tete beche, 
 a pair of the i franc 1853-60, Emperor's head, 
 imperforate, and tete beche, and three pairs of the 
 1872-75 Ceres type, shewing the loc and 15c values 
 se tenant, are some of the gems which attract one's 
 attention in what must, for the purposes of this 
 souvenir, be but a casual examination of this collection. 
 
 In the French colonial stamps we find complete 
 panes of Zanzibar of twenty-five, shewing all the types 
 of the "5," "10," "25," "50," and "i Fr." 
 surcharges, the two types se tenant of the 15 on 25c of 
 Majunga, and a very extensive range of other items, 
 many of which are of considerable rarity, including 
 sheets shewing types of such colonies as Neiv 
 Caledonia. The rare Reunions include the first issue 
 30 cents with one of the type-set ornaments reversed, a 
 variety not mentioned in the British catalogues, but 
 one which is recognised and illustrated in the Catalogue 
 Ojficiel de la Societe' Fran^aise de 7 imbrologie. 
 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 45 
 
 Germany. 
 
 Bavaria. — A good collection of these stamps, 
 including some complete sheets of the early issues and 
 the 6 kreuzer brown, all in a condition that is rarely 
 to be found except when one is fortunate enough to be 
 able to procure the specimens from a large old 
 collection. 
 
 Brunsvjick. — A block of four of the \ silbergroschen 
 black on brown, with full gum and in every way 
 perfect, is an item the lover of old Europeans can 
 appreciate. There are also a pair and a single of the 
 \ sgr. black on green perces en arc and two of the 
 I gr. on yellow, one of which is an exceptional copy 
 and came from the Ehrenbach collection. 
 
 Mecklenburg-Schiverin. — Amongst these stamps 
 may be noted two unused f schilling red, rouletted i i+, 
 and three used. 
 
 Oldenburg. — There are some very choice blocks, 
 including a block of nine i groschen and a block of 15 
 of the ^thaler, five used copies of the 3 groschen black 
 on yellow, and eight copies of the rare ', groschen 
 of 1859. 
 
 Saxony. — Of the 3 pf., 1850, there are six copies, 
 including four unused ; a pair and single, both mint, of 
 the rare error, \ ngr. on pale blue ; some very 
 beautiful mint blocks of the \, i, and 2 neugroschen, 
 and six copies of the 2 ngr. deep blue unused. 
 
 Thiirn and Taxis. — The counts of Thurn and Taxis, 
 almost from time immemorial, held the monopoly of 
 the posts over a great part of the continent of Europe, 
 and the stamps is.sued, bearing the name Thurn and 
 Taxis, served, between 1852 and 1867, large districts 
 
46 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 which now form part of the German Empire. Of the 
 stamps for the southern district served by the Thurn 
 and Taxis administration, there is a strip of three 
 of the 3 silbergroschen, a strip of three of the 6 sgr., 
 and a pair of the g sgr., all unused. There is also a 
 pair of the 3 sgr. on blue, unused. 
 
 Wurtemburg. — The most notable items here are 
 the brilliant mint specimens of the first issue 6 kreuzer 
 and 9 kreuzer. 
 
 Greece. 
 
 This portion of the collection is highly specialised, 
 and was originally formed by Lieut. Napier, from 
 whom Sir William Avery purcha.sed it, since when he 
 has scarcely added anything of importance. There is 
 a beautiful array of blocks and shades arranged 
 according to the printings. 
 
 Hawaii. 
 
 In this grand philatelic country, so rich in the great 
 rarities of our hobby, we find three of the 
 " Missionaries," as the stamps of the first type are 
 known. These are, of course, of first rarity. Mr. 
 Henry J. Crocker, in his excellent monograph on 
 Hawaiian Numerals, tells how the popular term 
 " Missionary " became applied to this issue. It 
 "arose from the fact that nearly all the copies which 
 have beeti found were on the correspondence from the 
 missionaries in the Hawaiian Islands to their relatives 
 and friends in the New England States and California. 
 To the custom of preserving the letters in the 
 envelopes, and keeping them as cherished re- 
 membrances from the absent ones, we owe the few 
 specimens that are known of this rare issued 
 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 47 
 
 The 13 cents " Missionary" stamp, of which both 
 types are included in the Avery collection, is a peculiar 
 denomination. In discussing the variety inscribed 
 " H.I. & U.S. " at the top, Mr. Crocker says that these 
 initials, representing " Hawaiian Islands and United 
 States," would go to prove, even at this early date 
 {1852), some arrangement must have existed by which 
 the 13 cent stamp paid not only the 5 cent rate of 
 Hawaiian postage, but a 6 cent rate of the United 
 States and a ship's toll of 2 cents. 
 
 "These stamps" [inscribed "H.I. & U.S."], Mr. 
 Crocker says, " are of considerable rarity, being second 
 only to the 2 cents in that respect." 
 
 There are in the collection a number of unusual 
 sheets of the plain border numerals, which issues are 
 much rarer than the catalogue quotations would seem 
 to suggest. The errors — 
 
 "HA "; 
 
 " I " of " INTER " missing ; 
 " s " of " POSTAGE " missing — 
 are here, and there are two sheets of the 2 cents on 
 laid paper, block of four, printed tete beche, of the i cent 
 on blue wove paper, and two sheets often The i cent 
 blue on bluish is represented unused, and the 2 cents 
 blue on bluish, used. 
 
 Mexico. 
 
 All the issues of the first republic are strongly 
 represented with a variety of overprints of the names 
 of postal districts and the dates, and a good selection 
 of the stamps without any overprint, including copies 
 of the 3 centavos brown of 1864-66. There is also a 
 good range of the Gothic overprints, Mexico. The 
 second republic issues, except for the " Anotado " 
 overprints, are well represented, including the errors. 
 In the later issues some of the high values are 
 
48 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 shewn in nice mint pairs. All through this 
 country's stamps we find a number of uncatalogued 
 varieties to delight the specialist in this country, the 
 stamps of which are peculiarly interesting, as reflecting 
 the thrilling history of the "coming" country of 
 America. 
 
 In the local issues of Mexico there is a particularly 
 fine lot of Guadalajaras, with most of the varieties of 
 paper, including several pairs. Chiapas, too, is repre- 
 sented by several copies, including one on entire 
 original. 
 
 Paraguay. 
 
 There are some nice blocks of the early surcharges 
 and of the "official" overprints. As in all the South 
 American countries, the collection is very strong in all 
 these issues. 
 
 Peru. 
 
 There are here some nice pieces, including the 
 Pacific Steam Navigation Company's stamps. Of the 
 first Government issues there is one of the error \ peso, 
 rose-red, and two shades of the stamp in the correct 
 colour, yellow. There are two of the 1862-63, with the 
 arms sideways, and a nice general lot of all the 
 subsequent issues, including many of the local 
 overprints. 
 
 Portugal. 
 
 The issues are fairly complete, including the 
 varieties, the straight, and the curly hair sets. There 
 is a complete sheet of the 25 reis of 1856. The 
 colonial issues complete a bulky volume, including, 
 among the rarer pieces, a very fine copy of the 5 reis, 
 imperforate, Azores of 1868; three of the small 
 surcharge on the 150 reis blue perforated \2\\ and a 
 pair of the 40 reis blue, shewing Cape Verde and 
 Mozambique issues se tenant. 
 
FOREKiN COTNTRII-S. 
 
 49 
 
 RoumaaIA — Moldavia. 
 
 Unique pair ul liie 27 ]jaras. 
 
 Hcrt' the A\ery collection stands unriv.illcJ in tlie 
 i:)()ssessi(jn of tlic first cii'ciilar t\"].)e. Tliesc stamps, as 
 the experienced collector is ttilh' aware, are luxuries, 
 their extreme rarit\' hax'ini,;' placed them in the hrst 
 rank of philatelic gems, I^jr these stamps Sir William 
 had c}uite a special fondness, as witness the ntnnber he 
 acfjtiired of stamps which even the wealthy collector is 
 eenerallv content with single copies. 
 
 There are three magnificent singles of the 27 jiaras, 
 \\ ith red and blue postmarks, and a pair, the latter 
 being an acquisition of which its late owner was 
 justifiably [)ri>ud. 
 
 Of the SIX copies of the 54 paras, one is on the 
 entire original envelope. 
 
 There are four of the rarest stani]) in the series, 
 the 8 1 paras, including an cxce[)tionally large unused 
 copy with wide margins all round, an imique C(.)py, which 
 came from the Westoby collection. 
 
 Of the 108 paras there are six specimens, one 
 unused and one with very large margins used on entire. 
 
 It must seem sur[M-ising that even a man ot .Sir 
 William's keenness and wealth should ha\e been able 
 
50 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 to amass so many of the very limited number of copies 
 known of these stamps. He was, however, more than 
 ordinarily interested in them. 
 
 On one occasion — it was. I think, the 26th May, 
 1896 — he bought from Mons. Dorsan Astruc three 
 complete sets of these rare stamps, and I have the 
 memorandum which gives two thousand pounds sterling 
 as the price paid for the twelve stamps. 
 
 Switzerland. 
 
 An extract from the Minutes of the Council of State 
 of the Canton of Zurich shows that the Postal 
 Administration of the Canton was one of the first 
 foreign administrations to recognise the great benefits 
 of the British Postal System, introduced in 1840. As 
 early as August 13th, 1842, a proposal was laid before 
 the Council, and the Zurich stamps were in use by 
 March, 1843. 
 
 Of these rare Zurich stamps there are six of the 
 4 rappen, unused and used on entires, and a whole 
 page of the 6 rappen value. 
 
 The "double Geneva'' stamp 5c. + 5C. black on 
 yellow-green paper, consists, as the name suggests, of 
 two stamps joined together, and which were to be 
 used thus for the single letter rate on letters going from 
 one Canton to another ; while, if cut apart, each half 
 served for a single letter whose destination was within 
 the limits of the Canton of issue. 
 
 The stamps were printed in sheets of 50 double 
 stamps, and the top left-hand corner block of six 
 " doubles " and three halves with top marginal 
 inscriptions, which I reproduce (page 40) from the 
 Avery albums, is certainly one of the greatest 
 treasures of the collection. 
 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 51 
 
 Some of my readers may have seen the Averv 
 display of Switzerland at the 1906 London Inter- 
 national Exhibition, where this celebrated block of 
 double Genevas was voted one of the finest things in 
 the Exhibition. There can be no question that this is 
 the finest item in any collection of Swiss stamps. 
 I myself sold it to Sir William Avery a good many 
 years ago. 
 
 There are eight other double Genevas, and four 
 halves used as 5 cent stamps. 
 
 One of the most admired pieces in the late Mons. 
 Mirabaud's collection of Switzerland, and illustrated in 
 his sumptuous work " The Postage Stamps of Switzer- 
 land, 184^-1862," was a fine top marginal block with 
 parts of the first two rows of the stamp known as the 
 5 cent " Large eagle." Sir William's collection 
 contains one piece shewing the two top rows (twenty 
 stamps) complete with the full top marginal inscriptions, 
 another grand item not to be matched in any other 
 collection, the nearest being the fourteen stamps in the 
 Mirabaud block. 
 
 The stamp of Basle, which was the third of the 
 Swiss Cantons to use postage stamps, is also a rare 
 stamp, represented by as many as twelve copies, 
 including unused and used on entire envelopes. 
 
 Of the stamps popularly known as the " Vaud" 
 issues, but which actually belong to the period of 
 transition from the separate postal administrations of 
 the various Cantons to the central control of the 
 Confederation, there are six of rare 4 cents. One is 
 unused, and I illustrate a pair used on original 
 envelope. A page is filled with the 5 cents, black and 
 red, of January, 1850. 
 

 s 
 
 ;j 'i; 
 
 3 "9 
 
 
 
 Ij 
 
 oD 
 
 ^ 
 
 g 
 
 
 
 »2S 
 
 
 ■S e 
 
 i -< ■ — * . 
 
 
 \- 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^^^^^1 
 
 ^1 
 
 1; 
 
I'ORl' KiX COUXTRIKS. 
 
 00 
 
 t. 
 
 O 
 
 "Ix 
 
 ^,--'''y '' / v/ ,// /■^^ < ' 
 
 ih 
 
 
 , H 
 
 
 
 
 
 yyy 
 
 ') 
 
 ■' 
 
 l^scd pair (jf the 4c. "" Poslc Locale." 
 
 Of the 5 cx-nts I'OSTE LoCAi.t; (Xcucliau^l) of Au^Tist, 
 I'^^OS, one unused and tWD used cojjies aix- iiieluded. 
 
 I here are also \<ix\ fine reconstructed plates ot 
 the first stamps of the P'ederal Achninistration inscribed 
 oKTs-i'osT, and those inscribed I'ostk-i.ocalk with and 
 withotit frame. 
 
 Both tlie Cantr)nal and general issues of Switzer- 
 l.uid are so finely displayed that it is not easy to select 
 items for mention beyond the very notable ones briefly 
 referred to. Practicall)' everythim^^" is here in a 
 condition in which these beautiful issues are e.xtremely 
 difficult to procure, 
 
 UnITI;!) S'lATKS. 
 
 In the section devoted to the Postmasters' stamps, 
 issued prior to the introduction of adhesixe stamps l)y 
 the I'nited .States Government, there are some notable 
 
 rarities. 
 
54 THK A\"]-.RV C(JLI.E(:T10X. 
 
 There is ;i 5 cents Baltiviore. frequent])- called 
 " Buchancin '' from the name of iItc Postmaster which 
 a}jpears on the stamp. This is on the entire original 
 envelope. 
 
 Another hne specimen is the Bra/l/cboro on entire 
 oriLjinal. 
 
 ^Z^^yy-^'-O^ 
 
 TliL- Milll.iir 
 
 ^1111,1^10 ^ St.Ull|l. 
 
 Rarer still is the Millburx local, which is also on 
 the entire. 
 
 There are no fewer than se\-en copies of the .S7. 
 Louis l^xstmaster's stamps, of which two are on pelure 
 paper. 
 
 Of the re.Lj'tilar stamps of the United States 
 ( jo\-ernment, there is a \-er)- Jar-e and Ijeautiful 
 collecti<..n, comprisin-- th<; 24c. --re\-dilac of 1857, 
 im|)ertorate, and hrilliant copies of the 24c. and "^oc. 
 premieres gr azures of Augtrst, 1801. In the \ erv 
 popular and pretty iS6y issue, all three of tlie rare 
 in\-erted centres are included, \'iz., the i ^c, 24c and 
 30c., the last named heini^ a perfect unused copy, 
 
l-'URKIGX COIXTRIKS. 
 
 55 
 
 exceedinuly rare in thi> condition, i^nK a \er\- frw 
 copies bein^- known Liiiustd. 
 
 Ot the " urille " enihossin;^-, there are man\ 
 varieties, <ind all the later issues are shewn in splendid 
 array ot mint and used copies and some \'erv choice 
 blocks. 
 
 Coxi i;iiEKATE STAri:s. 
 
 This is one of the series of postal issues for which 
 Sir William had a \-ery great partialit}-, and his 
 collection of the Confederate locals was undoubtedly 
 the finest in this cotintrv. 
 
 ( )t the Athois (Ceoroia) stamp, there are three 
 original enxelopes bearing used copies shewing the 
 t\'pes in |")airs. 
 
 ^f/ 
 
 
 p 
 
 6 
 
 
 % 
 
 :lui;. 
 
 / 
 
 ^n 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^t 
 
 '"/ 
 
 
 ci«,:i 
 
 >!" 
 
 ^cf- 
 
 :••:< 
 
 C"i'>i' 
 
 fi^fU<<^^ ft f' ^f 
 
 f-l 
 
 o// 
 
 V 
 
 c 
 
 'If //f< / ) 
 
 Tlie liatrin Koiiyc Siaiiip. 
 
 The Baton Rouge (Louisiana) stanijis include the 
 error " McC rrmack " on the jc. green on original 
 envelope, and the 5c. carmnie and green with the same 
 error. 
 
 The Dauiillc (\'irginia), and (io/iad {Te.\as), are 
 both used, and the Lci/oir (Xorth Carolina), is tinused. 
 
56 
 
 TH1-: A\'T-RV roi.LEr-riox, 
 
 ..^ 
 
 ■■^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 J' 
 
 / r 
 
 K 
 
 'y'i 
 
 
 _/ 
 
 v. 
 
 ■? / 
 
 
 Cv^ 
 
 /// 
 
 /■• 
 
 » O U L I A I; c 
 
 
 
 Tlic Stamp of Goliarl, Texas. 
 
 I hf_- Livingston (Alabama) 5 cent^ IjIlkj is illustrated 
 m this l)iM')klet tmm the superb copv ow entire m the 
 collection. 
 
 Livingiitrin (.Maliama), L^.S.A. 
 
FORKKiX COUXTRII-S. 
 
 .1/ 
 
 The Maili^oii Slanip witli crnts spelt cuncclK-. 
 
 The Madison staiii|), loo, is illustrated. Tiiisisan 
 extreme!)- rare stain] >, aiul is \er)- well aiitliciitieated 
 h\ (loeuments which i accjiiired aJoiiL;" with the 
 cnlleetion. 1 he stamp is certainlx" one of the \"er\' 
 rarest ot the Confederate locals. Prior to the disco\-er\" 
 ot this cop\' onl\' one co])\' was known, that lieiii^ one 
 in the Phill)i"ick collc-cHon which was the \ai-iet\" with 
 the error ot spelling", <_"\ I", i ,S tor CIXX'I'.S, h-om which 
 the tamiliar cataloL^'ue ilkrsirations have descended, 
 leadniL;" occasionalK' to the erroneous impi'ession that 
 all the \'arieties in the settinn" were so spelt. 
 
 The partictilai' s|ic(inien with the cori'eci spelling-, 
 wjhch I ilkr-.ti"at'' from the Awer\' coljci'iion has a 
 curious and not unnUirostm^^ histoiw. It was oktained 
 1)\' a medical practitionei- in Washington. H(.- savs 
 that he recei\'efl the enx'elope " trom a patient who 
 made a caretul search lor old letters u|:)on n^\• request. 
 It (the Madison en\elo|)e) had been continuousK in the 
 |)ossession ot m\' patient, a relati\'e ol tlie oi'i^inal 
 writer, and a sister ot the person acklressed, for o\'er 
 
58 THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 thirty-four years. . . . Since received in this city 
 (Washington), in the mail, February, '6r, that 
 envelope has been in the hands of only the addressee, 
 his sister, who had it some thirty-four years, and 
 myself. ... I agreed to part vi^ith it only after 
 the death of my patient. . . . ' 
 
 Of the Mobile (Alabama), there are four unused 2c. 
 black and a pair and two singles of the 5c. blue. 
 
 There are several of Nashville (Tennessee), and 
 two pairs shewing types se tenant of the Tellico Plains 
 (Tennessee) stamps, besides many of the other 
 Confederate locals. 
 
 URUfiUAV. 
 
 This is a good specialised collection, covering most 
 of the numerous issues very fully, and including some 
 fine copies of the " Diligencias " and the " Montevideo" 
 types. 
 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
 
 59 
 
 'I'o iir [1 isteil ;it tlie HciusF. of Loiiim only. 
 V,i-: Vai.l -ONE PENNY.— Woight not to ^^|^^oz. 
 
 I 4 T"" 
 
 Z 
 
 / 
 
 Great Britain. 1840. Tlie House of Lords Envelope. 
 
speciality : 
 New Issues. 
 
 W. H. PECKITT, 
 
 47, Strand, LONDON, w.c. 
 
 dealer in 
 Rare Stamps. 
 
NEW ISSUE SERVICE. 
 
 The difficulty Collectors used to experience in keeping pace with 
 new issues of postage stamps emanating from all quarters of 
 the Globe has been entirely done away with by the intro- 
 duction of my New Issue Service. Clients joining this service 
 can have all New Issues of British Colonial Stamps, as they 
 are imported by me at an uniform charge of 
 
 TEN PER CENT. OVER FACE VALUE. 
 
 This enables the private Collector to keep his collection 
 up-to-date with a minimum of trouble and expense. It is a 
 distinct saving on the old system of buying these new issues 
 promiscuously at amounts which were rarely less than loo 
 per cent, over face for the low values, and as much as 50 
 per cent, and 33J per cent, on the high values. 
 
 The advantages peculiar to my New Issue Service may be 
 summed up as : — 
 
 Economy (10 per cent, on actual total face value from 
 fractions to pounds). 
 
 Complete Distributions (All I import are faithfully 
 distributed regardless of actual or prospective rises 
 in market value). 
 
 Simple Accounts. 
 
 Regular and Prompt Delivery. 
 
 Scope (British Colonies, either in the simple form of 
 King's Heads only, or with varieties of shades, 
 perforation and paper). 
 
 Full Explanatory Circular sent P'ree on Application. 
 
 W. H. PECKITT, 
 
 47, Strand, LONDON, w.c. 
 
 Telephone— Gerrard 3204 
 
 Telegrams and Cables — " Peckitt, London. 
 
THE AVERY COLLECTION. 
 
 Having recently purchased this, the largest general collection of Postage Stamps 
 ever sold ojitright, for the cash price of ;^24,500, I am prepared to send portions 
 of the collection on approval, as usual, to responsible collectors. 
 
 RARE STAMPS (British and Foreign). 
 
 My general stock is particularly strong in rarities of British Colonial and 
 Foreign Stamps, rare stamps being an important speciality of my business. As a 
 ready purchaser for cash of highly specialised collections, I am constantly having 
 through my hands rarities of the first and second order, but always in the finest 
 possible condition. Specialists should therefore inspect my stocks, and send me 
 lists of their wants. 
 
 MEDIUM STAMPS. 
 
 Although rare stamps are a speciality of my business, every attention is given to 
 the needs of customers for the medium and the commoner classes of stamps, and 
 the uniform feature of my stock books is the high standard of condition maintained. 
 This is a factor of the iirst importance to the collector who is expecting his stamp 
 album to be a sound and profitable investment. 
 
 PACKETS, SETS, ALBUMS, ACCESSORIES, &c. 
 
 The requirements of the beginner are catered for in Packets ranging in price from 
 i/- to £^0, and in a comprehensive series of sets. Albums of all grades and all 
 the requisites of the stamp collector can be supplied on the most moderate terms. 
 A list of Packets, Sets, Albums, &c. , will be sent post free on application. 
 
 THE MELVILLE STAMP BOOKS. 
 
 This popular series of books on the stamps of favourite countries aims at enabling 
 every Collector to form a standard reference library of books on stamp collecting, 
 at the uniform price of 6d. per book (post free, ^A. ). The books are copiously 
 illustrated, and contain complete check lists and good bibliographical indices, as 
 well as neatly printed gummed labels to save writing in the stamp album. The 
 books already published in this series are : — 
 
 1. Great Britain: Line Engraved Stamps. 
 
 2. British Central Africa and Nyasaland Protectorate. 
 
 3. United States Postage Stamps, 1847-1869. 
 
 4. Gambia. 5. Nevis. 6. Holland. 
 
 7. Tonga (Friendly Islands). 
 
 8. British New Guinea and Papua. 
 
 All the above are 6d. each, post free, 7d. A second series of eight books will be 
 published at intervals during the year 1910, and will be supplied post free to 
 subscribers at 4/2 the series of eight books. 
 
 W. H. PECKITT, 
 
 , 47, Strand, LONDON, w.c. 
 
 Telephone — Gerrard 3204. Telegrams and Cables — " Peckitt, London."