Lot 60400 – 1940 Stamp Centenary group of six original sketches and ink drawings of unadopted designs by the well-known British stamp designer H. Nelson

1940 Stamp Centenary group of six original sketches and ink drawings of unadopted designs by the well-known British stamp designer H. Nelson, incl.:

– Preliminary sketches of six different designs, three in horizontal format and three in vertical, signed below by the artist.- 1 1/2d incomplete design of the frame in ink and pencil, horizontal format, showing ovoid space for the King’s head with crown at top, waves below, with two winged staffs either side with “1840” at left, signed by the artist.- 2 1/2d partial design in pencil of the frame in a vertical format, exploring the details of the ornaments with further sketches alongside, signed by the artist.- 2 1/2d partial design in pencil of the frame and complete head in a vertical format, with left half of the frame with more detail than the right, signed by the artist, toned spots.- 2 1/2d partial design in pencil of the frame in a horizontal format, with left half of the frame with more detail than the right but showing two different options for the space either side of the portrait, signed by the artist, toned spots.- Undenominated design in ink and watercolour of the frame with “1840-1940” at foot, showing Welsh daffodil, Irish clover, English rose and Scottish thistle at sides, signed by the artist.

A unique and important group of essays for the centenary of the first postage stamp.