The most comprehensive collection of British Guiana ever formed to be sold at auction in October 2021

David Feldman International Auctioneers announced the upcoming sale by auction on October 14 next of the fantastic Imperium collection of British Guiana, by far the most important and comprehensive assemblage of this famed British colony, one of the great classic collecting fields, ever presented for sale in a single auction.
This unique and unreserved offering includes all of the items from the Grand Prix winning John E. du Pont collection sold by David Feldman S.A. in 2014, plus two of the most notable rarities that had been missing and several other pieces added to the collection over the ensuing years from both auction and private treaty purchases. The Imperium Collection was exhibited at the Jerusalem International Exhibition in 2016 where it was awarded the Grand Prix, as well as at Monacophil in 2017.
This outstanding selection of world rarities, which are of extraordinary quality, boasts provenance such as, Count Ferrary, King Fuad, Burrus, Dale-Lichtenstein, Champion, Hind, Duveen, Townsend, Hubbard and of course du Pont. The collection is a pre-eminent study of the three key iconic British Guiana primitive stamps; the 1850 “Cotton Reels”, the 1852- 53 Waterlows, and the world-renowned 1856 Provisional stamps both on and off cover. Also included are a presentation of the pre-stamp period, the British Post office in British Guiana, Postage Dues, and the Inland Revenue issues.

In particular, the legendary “Miss Rose” Cover, which is one of only two covers that exist with the 2 cents issue, and the unique “error of colour” or “2 cents instead of 12” cover, described by Robson Lowe in the 1963 Burrus auction catalogue as ‘as important as the 1856 “One-Cent on Magenta”’, which was the World’s most expensive stamp when recently sold at auction for $8.3m. Other highlights include a series of the 1852 “Tall Ships” issues of the One Cent and Four Cents in astounding quality, examples of the celebrated 1856 Four Cents on Magenta “Provisional” Issues as well as the rarer 1856 Four Cents on Blue.

The Company commented:
It is a great honour for the Company to have been entrusted with the unreserved offer for sale of this distinguished British Guiana collection, which is without doubt the most comprehensive we have ever presented, now eclipsing the John E. du Pont collection sold in 2014. It is decorated with great world rarities, including stamps of remarkable quality in the very scarce, and often fragile, primitive issues. It will be an auction of this territory which is unlikely to be equalled again for a generation, and a rare opportunity for any serious British Guiana collector to acquire elusive, unique and world-famous material. Indeed, as a collection at auction it is comparable in both stature and rarity to our offer of the legendary Kanai Mauritius in 1993,another one of the most significant territories of worldwide philately.

Promotion in anticipation of the October 14 auction
In the run-up to this prestigious auction and the availability of the auction catalogue, which
is expected in September, David Feldman S.A. has a dedicated webpage for the Imperium Collection of British Guiana, where you can be kept informed of key information and important dates surrounding this historic sale, as well as high-resolution images of key items.

For more information, visit: www.davidfeldman.com/the-imperium-collection-british-guiana
The collection will also be presented at the Autumn Stampex Exhibition in London, from September 29th to October 2nd 2021; following the London show, the Collection will be taken to New York for viewing. The Collection then returns to Geneva in anticipation of its sale.
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The Imperium Collection of British Guiana is currently available to view in the online Museum of Philately website, having previously been kindly loaned for exhibition on this digital platform. Visit the site for further details: https://www.museumofphilately.com/collection/34