Graham's Mixed Lot Treasure Hunt

Hi radiocruncher , very nice albums. See the the Royal Philatelic Society London link in my Crests of William S Lincoln thread  here

The Government of India stamp is a Special Adhesive (used on various documents) revenue stamp from the 1868 series 1 Rupee Red. Barefoot British Commonwealth Catalogue, India Special Adhesive 1868 cat. no. 21. 

Daniel

I got this lot for a maiden bid of just £10 which was surprising considering it’s age. I also got a cigar box thrown in as well as some covers and postcards. More to come!

There are a lot of stamps in there from the 1800’s. No penny blacks though so I’ve sent off for 10 at their catalogue price 😉. There were a few pieces of interesting items which were loose in the album as well.

Thanks vikingeck looking at the dedication page it is signed in April 1890. It’s a great bit of history. There are no modern stamps in it so looks like someone started the collection then gave up on it.

I’ll post it here as it is what I’ve been stamping today. There are some unusual non postage stamps on there which I’ve not seen. I will post a page at a time so I welcome any comments and can enlarge any of interest 

Graham

Thanks vikingeck Yes I would like to remove the paper and clean them. By detergent do you meaning washing up liquid? What’s the best method for removing the paper from the water soluble ones then? 

it’s a shame that the stationary has been cut out but as you say back then that was probably how it was done.

The railway newspaper stamp is interesting and there are more in the other pages. I’m sure they would be collectable. I will have to see if I can find any info on them.

For the ones with fugitive ink , I’d lay face down on kitchen towel and gently dampen the back with a wet camel hair brush , or Q tip . . Damp not soak. and with a penknife gently tease off the damp backing…PATIENCE…… do not rush it but don’t leave them in water.

For the others , yes a drop or two of Fairy Liquid or similar , then more tepid water.

The little bantam halfpenny looks like it has brown stains on the teeth. A few minutes in hydrogen peroxide ( from your local pharmacy) then fresh water to clean , will work wonders.


Two of the penny reds with perforations, will have plate numbers engraved sideways on each side of the portrait. I can’t read the numbers from the scan , but the two pence blue (sadly damaged) I think reads plate 15

Thanks JeffS I haven’t investigated them yet. That link led me to this though so seems they may have some value www.stanleygibbons.com/products/gb-1867-railway-london-north-western-railway

Yes, a General Duty Revenue Stamp. The black frame is unusual. Examples of revenue stamps from this era are known with a black outline as a guide  for cutting out the stamps. However, it doesn't quite fit in this case. A nice example.

Thanks again vikingeck . The little bantam has a nasty crease across it an looks washed out. I do have some hydrogen peroxide here that I use for whitening old plastics. Do you mean to add this neat to the stamp?


I’ve pulled the penny reds and removed the hinges and remnants. The 2 on that page are plates 93 and 129. The 2d blue was indeed plate 15 which would have been great except for the damage. I don’t have one in my album either. I also have, on the next page, another 1d red plate 121 which I think is mint but it’s blackened a little in places but had the full gum. I’ve just painstakingly taken the hinge off it with a bit of dampening with a paintbrush on the hinge surface. That one will need cleaning but will be tricky

Thanks for enhancing the image @wert

Okay here’s the next page. Sone interesting items here

Jeff (and Graham radiocruncher), I've had a rethink on this one. I thought it was a semi-adhesive but now think that you are correct, it must have been embossed directly onto a blue coloured document with the frame as a guide for the embossing. Apologies,
Daniel