LONDON.- Stanley Gibbons' The Cyriax Collection presents a remarkable assortment of Queen Victoria items. It encompasses Line Engraved essays and proofs, extending to the 1883 High Value issues. Notable highlights comprise an unused OP-PC error of lettering variety, along with lovely high-value items, both unused and used, including a splendid unmounted £5 orange. Additionally, the collection includes exceptional illustrated and printed covers. View the full catalogue here.

Highlight lots include the 1866 watercolour (pictured above), one of the finest hand illustrated covers the experts at Stanley Gibbons have ever handled. The mid 1800s saw an explosion of correspondence by mail as the cost of postage reduced, but illustrated envelopes remained a luxury afforded primarily to the wealthy. An intricate hand painted watercolour such as this one would have made quite a statement. Depicting a Herald with a 1d rose-red, cut to shape to fit the illustration, this example was sent to the Duchess of Somerset by Major Gen Sir Arthur Ellis, equerry to the Prince of Wales in 1867, clearly visible on the scroll carried by the Herald. Part of the Cyriax Collection of Great Britain, it is estimated to sell for between £1,200 and £1,400.

Also featured is the 1867 10d ‘abnormal’ deep red brown Pl.2. A very fine example of this rare printing lettered PJ, neatly tied to a small piece in combination with a 2d blue Pl.9 by London Chief Office number ‘1’ numerals. Such items are difficult to find without faults and with both plate numbers clearly visible. This is a magnificent example with exceptionally fine colour and is without doubt one of the finest surviving examples. It is believed to be the only example on dated piece and is expected to reach a sale price of £4,000 – 5,000.

A spectacular printed 1847 ‘Temperance’ envelope is another piece of great interest, demonstrating how envelopes were used not only as a show of wealth, but as propaganda, as this item demonstrates. Published by H. Mence of Worcestor. it is believed to be the only recorded used example of the “earliest printed envelope.” Printed in 1847 with the intention of encouraging abstinence from alcohol, the asset has traded hands infrequently and is estimated to sell for £1,200 – 1,400.

Additional highlights:

• A series of Mulready lettersheets and caricatures, including: an 1840 1d Mulready Die Proof, a very fine state 3 example printed in black on India paper, expected to reach £1,000 – 1,200; a very fine and clean group of seven Deraedermaker reprints for Southgate Caricatures series, estimated at £80 – 120; and a 1840 1d Mulready Lettersheet (Stereo removed) – a fine used example sent from Coleshill to London uprated with a four margin 1d black Pl.5, cancelled contrary to regulation and expected to reach £3,000 – 4,000.

• A 1841 postal notice referring to the issue of the new 1d and 2d stamps and 1d pink stationery envelopes. The 1d red is from 1d black SG 7 plate 10 and the 2d blue is a proof with void letter squares – estimate £2,500 – 3,000.

• An excellent array of fine engraved essays and proofs, with estimated sale prices ranging from £300 to £3,000.

• Among other Penny Blacks, a grey-black, four margin example and unused, valued at £4,000 – 5,000.

• A black. R.W. Hume Envelope No.1, State 2 “Britannia seated on Egg” bearing a used example of a four margin 1d Black Pl.2. (HG) tied by red MC’s. Addressed to Helensburgh and estimated at £1,000 – 1,200.

• 1850 James Valentine hand coloured illustrated envelope. An exceptional hand coloured Universal Brotherhood envelope (State 1, “Arbritation”) by James Valentine addressed to Edinburgh. Bearing a four margin 1d Redbrown Pl.86. tied by a Stirling ‘358’ Scottish numeral, it also bears a block of four ‘Antidrink’ labels on reverse in yellow. Estimated £900 – 1,000.

• 1857 Overseas mail. Very fine entire to Victoria Cross recipient Major General Henry Hugh Clifford V.C. C.B. K.C.M.G, addressed to Rome and prepaid by a 1s green (SG72) tied by a London ‘W/5’ district office numeral, London cds on reverse for AP.20.1857. Lord Clifford was awarded his V.C. for conspicuous courage at the battle of Inkermann in leading a charge, killing one of the enemy with his sword, disabling another and saving the life of a soldier. This piece has an expected sale price of £100 – 120.