Cherrystone Philatelic Auctions' March 12-14 sale in New York has been topped by a unique series of 1902 7k essay stamps.

The selection of 13 stamps sold for $50,000, with the Russian stamp section seeing the highest bids of the auction.

The 13 stamps were once part of the renowned collection of Zbigniew Mikulski

The 7k selection contained imperforate single plate essays on various types of paper, ranging from thick to thin. The stamps are displayed with or without gum and in many different colours, each of them a proposed design for the final stamp. Most are in very fine condition, with many of them signed by the noted Russian collector Zbigniew Mikulski.

Another selection of Russian essays brought the second highest bids of the auction, selling at $32,500. The lot comprised a unique selection of eight 1889 5k essays on card, with colours including green, red, carmine, magenta, yellow brown, olive green and grey. Once part of the Breitfuss and Mikulski collections, they were sold in very fresh condition with slight hinge thinning at the top.

Also selling well was a selection of five Russian 1883 1k-7k typographed die essays on card, showing the large eagle on oval frame - a design that was eventually modified for use on postal stationary. With the last example cut along the edges and hinge reinforcement on the back, the lot sold for $20,000.

Paul Fraser Collectibles specialises in sourcing the finest stamps for sale, including incredibly rare items from the Great Britain Rainbow Trials, annotated by Joshua Bacon. We also offer a free lifetime authenticity guarantee so that you can purchase in confidence.