Matheson Collection of British and empire stamps makes $88,600

George VI silver wedding stamps helped boost the value of the Matheson Collection auction

A selection of British Victorian stamps, which included 1d blacks and 2d blues, was the top lot at the recent Matheson Collection sale.

The lot sold for 8,200 in a collection that achieved 55,000 in all at the Leominster, UK auction.

A leading light from the Matheson stamp collection

The Matheson Collection of Great Britain and British Empire Stamps was a lifetime's work for Farquhar Matheson (1944-2011).

"Whilst working as a civil engineer in Australia, New Zealand and Burma he had developed a particular interest in British empire stamps," said the auctioneer following the April sale.

"He was particularly interested in stamps from the period of Queen Victoria to George V."

A mint selection of stamps celebrating the silver wedding anniversary of George VI and the Queen Mother in 1948 helped a British Commonwealth selection to 5,800.

A group of New Zealand 1880-1910 specimens achieved 4,000, while a comprehensive collection of British West Indies stamps from Victoria to Elizabeth II made 3,800, no doubt boosted by strong mint examples from George V.

Meanwhile a British Mediterranean and Asia selection, ranging from Queen Victoria to King George VI, sold for 3,600.

PFC Auctions' online sale runs until May 24. It stars these four superb investment-grade postage stamps from Great Britain, including an exquisite 1915 Seahorse.

Rare British stamps are performing superbly at auction houses around the globe. The 30 leading collectible British stamps have risen in value by 10.8% pa since 1998, according to figures from the GB30 Rarities Index.

Paul Fraser Collectibles will continue to bring you all the key previews and results from the world of philately, so keep checking in regularly.