A half-anna 9½ Arches essay dating to 1854 will highlight the third instalment of the Medina collection of Indian stamps at Spink London on October 23.

The lot is valued at £24,000-26,000 ($38,763-41,991).

The essay is a vermillion lower left corner block of 10, and is the last known block in this shade. It is in good condition, with a vertical crease to the left that has caused some tearing.

The essay is believed to be the last remaining block in vermillion

A set of four first anniversary of independence Gandhi specials, featuring "Specimen" overprinted, are offered on gold leaf in a black presentation folder. The three low values are fixed to the gold leaf, while the 10 rupee stamp is hinged in place. The set carries an estimate of £15,000-20,000 ($24,236-32,315).

An 1857 Persian Field Force envelope addressed to the Naval Dubash at Bombay brings an estimate of £7,000-9,000 ($11,310-14,544). It bears an 1854 Indian 1 anna red die with impressive margins, and features a good strike of the "131 in diamond of bars" cancellation.

A number of definitive essays of the George V 25 rupee are featured with identical estimates of £7,000-8,000 ($11,312-12,928). They feature great variation in colour and background, and are presented fixed to white card.

The previous instalments of the Medina collection sale have yielded impressive results, with an 1852 Scinde Dawk selling for £10,000 ($15,199) in the second part and an Inverted Head Four Anna achieving an impressive £58,000 ($91,805) in the first.

We have a wide range of rare stamps available, including this British 1840 rainbow trial plate of 12.

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