A COLLECTION of stamps which has spent nearly 90 years tucked away in a safety deposit box in a bank vault are estimated to sell for thousands of pounds when they go under the Charterhouse hammer in their two day March 15 and 16 auction of stamps, coins, medals, model cars, trains and other collector’s items.
“Although there are not dozens of albums, there are numerous little booklets of stamps which were lovingly collected by Colonel R H Whitwell as a present for his Godson, Master Robert Smyth-Osbourne.” Commented Richard Bromell. “The stamps were carefully wrapped up and put away in a bank vault in 1926 until the safe deposit box was removed a couple of years ago.”
The owner of the stamps, who is Robert Smyth-Osbourne’s daughter, brought them into Charterhouse on one of their regular specialist valuation days. The stamps were still wrapped up in their little packets with notes pinned to them “Stamps not to be opened till 1950….. Mr Robert Smyth-Osbourne….. from his Godfather Col. R H Whitwell Sept 17th 1926”. Quite why they were not to be opened until 1950 remains a mystery, as does why Robert did not open them when instructed!
“I did feel a little guilty unwrapping the packets in February 2018 some 92 years after they were put away, but we had no idea what was in there.” Richard Bromell continued. “What struck me immediately was the post office fresh colours on all the stamps as they had not seen daylight for nearly 100 years Its is a fabulous lot the quality of which rarely comes on the market.”
The stamp collection comprises mostly Commonwealth stamps from the 1850’s to the 1920’s. South Africa, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Australia and Canada feature with a set of 16 Canadian 1897 Queen Victoria Jubilee stamps, from a ½ cent to $5, being the most valuable lot estimated at £1,000-1,500.
The stamps were bought from stamp dealers and auctioneers in the early to mid-1920’s, including Stanley Gibbons, with some of the lots also including letters relating to the purchase of the stamps. Many of the sets of stamps cost £2-£5 each – much more than a week’s wages for many workers. Today, in such fine and fresh condition they will appeal to 21st Century collectors and Charterhouse are expecting a large amount of interest from collectors across the world.
Viewing for the auction on March 15 and 16 is at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3BS on Wednesday, March 14 at 9am-5pm and Thursday 15th 9am-5pm. Catalogues are available from Charterhouse in Sherborne 01935 812277 or you can download the catalogue from www.charterhouse-auction.com
Charterhouse are now accepting entries for their April 19 and 20 auction of Chinese and Japanese ceramics with work of art followed by pictures, books and sporting items and their next sale of classic and vintage cars also in April.
For further information regarding these auctions or to arrange a home visit, please contact Richard Bromell at Charterhouse on 01935 812277 or email images for valuation at info@charterhouse-auction.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here