Biggest sale of NZ stamps at Sothebys in London

January 2006

Biggest sale of NZ stamps at Sothebys in London next month

One of the biggest collections of rare New Zealand stamps will go on sale at Sothebys auctions in London next month.

Experts are calling the Baillie Collection the most important collection of stamps to be sold for 50 Years.

Leading New Zealand stamp dealer John Mowbray said today the massive collection to go under the hammer at Sothebys on February 15-17 was unquestionably the most comprehensive collection of its kind.

``These are some of the finest NZ stamps ever known ever to come onto the market. I understand the sale of the collection will exceed $nz45million,’’ Mowbray said from Otaki.

Just three full-face 1855 Queen stamps – the first NZ stamps ever issued - are expected to make about stg657,000 alone.

A total of 1170 lots will be sold during the three day NZ sale.

Sothebys’ stamp consultant Richard Ashton said Sir Gawaine Baillie’s collection of NZ stamps must rank as his most accomplished of all his collections.

``New Zealand has a richness and diversity almost without equal in the philately of the British empire and very few collectors have been able to embrace it in its entirety.’’

Sir Gawaine competed in numerous motor racing championships, including Le Mans 24 Hours, Goodwood, Aintree, Silverstone and the Tour de France. He won the 1965 Longford event in Tasmania.

Among the commemorative stamps in the sale are the famous 1906 Christchurch Exhibition 6d claret 'error of colour' in a single example and an extremely rare pair, of which only very few are recorded.

Sir Gawaine was brought up in his mother’s home of Leeds Castle and got into motor racing. He competed in numerous championships, including Le Mans 24 Hours, Goodwood, Aintree, Silverstone and the Tour de France. He won the 1965 Longford event in Tasmania.

ENDS