Mouth-watering stamp and postal history an auction bonanza

Stamp and postal history collectors will no doubt wait with mouth-watering anticipation for Mossgreen’s forthcoming Stamps and Postal History of New South Wales auction from 6pm Monday April 20 at Martyn Cook Galleries 98 Barcom Avenue, Rushcutters Bay in Sydney.

Writing in the catalogue introduction, Mossgreen specialist Gary Watson claims the 100 lots of Sydney Views stamps are among the highest quality selections ever offered at auction.

“Similarly, the quality of the Laureates, stamps notorious for their lack of adequate margins, is extraordinary,” he says.

“The Diadems feature beautiful stamps with large margins and an array of the rare and desirable Major Retouches.”

One collecting field gaining popularity is blocks of stamps, particularly many used multiples, while another is perfins – of which the late Guy Hutson’s collection (lot 284) is a great example and possibly a great bargain for collectors.

The auction also contains an extensive postal history section. Of particular interest is a contemporary account of the Myall Creek massacre (lot 304) from an eyewitness to the hanging of the seven convicted whiter perpetrators. 

The Myall Creek massacre occurred on June 10, 1838 near Namoi and was a watershed event in the decline of relations between black and white inhabitants.

Seven stockmen determined to obtain revenge for the slaughtering of cattle by native Aborigines captured and then massacred an innocent tribe comprising mainly old men, women and children.

The killings outraged many in the New South Wales colony and the stockmen (who were “assigned convicts” with their leader a freeman) were convicted and hanged together as retribution.

Lot 305 contains a petition dated February 1, 1839 to Sydney’s Postmaster General for extension of the Murray River mail service.

The petition is signed by C.F. Ebden and nine others including Joseph Hawdon, who subsequently was awarded the contract for the first overland mail from Yass to Melbourne.

Sydney viewing will be at the Sydney Stamp Expo 2015, Johnny Warren Indoor Sports Centre, Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre, cnr King Georges and Forest Road, Hurstville 11am-6pm Thursday and from 10am Friday to Sunday.