Cherrystone auction house enjoyed yet another day of success with the sale of the highly anticipated Alexander Collection of Imperial Russian stamps.
The sale, which took place yesterday, featured over 150 lots of rare and treasured pieces from the history of Russian Philately.
And once again, the results did not disappoint, with a number of standout lots reaching notable figures at auction.
Amongst these memorable sales was a cover featuring two vertical pairs of the 1857 10k brown & blue stamps. Experts estimated that there are only 30 pairs of this stamp in existence, with the stamp representing the first and only imperforate stamp from Russia.
This cover, which features margins all around the stamps, well preserved colouration and pen cancellation with one previously used, is currently viewed as the second highest franking of its kind known.
With experts placing its value as almost museum worthy, one collector walked away with an excellent investment piece, paying £36,835 ($57,500) for the stamp.
 The 1856 10kop za lot and 1 kop za Konv. cover |
Elsewhere, a dark green cover featuring the 1856 10 kop za lot and 1 kop za Konv as well as an embossed Imperial "White Eagle" in black came up for auction. The very fine imperforate vertical gutter tete-beche pair sold for £40,040 ($62,500).
Another lot featuring an 1856 10 kop za lot printed affixed on small card attached to a unique Russian Mercury essay which adds to the rarity of the piece. This very fine example comes attached to an exquisite bicolour essay, was previously part of the Faberge and Breitfuss collections and sold for £48,050 ($75,000).
Yet things got even better for the auction house as the top lot of the Alexander Collection sold for nearly treble this price.
A unique horizontal strip of five of the 1857 10 brown & blue stamps, came to auction amidst much anticipation from the collectors in attendance.
 The horizontal strip of 1857 brown & blue stamps |
With large margins all around , good colour and impression each stamp also features a large cancellation cross but is still regarded as the most important piece in Russian stamp collecting.
Furthermore, as the largest known multiple of this first and only imperforate Russian stamp from the country this piece remains highly regarded by collectors from across the globe.
There was little surprise then that this lot sold for £147,340 ($230,000).
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