Lot 20046 – 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription “the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter”

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Lot 20046 – 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription “the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter”
Stamp of Great Britain » 1840 1d Black and 1d Red plates 1a to 11 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription "the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter"
Stamp of Great Britain » 1840 1d Black and 1d Red plates 1a to 11 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription "the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter"
Stamp of Great Britain » 1840 1d Black and 1d Red plates 1a to 11 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription "the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter"
Stamp of Great Britain » 1840 1d Black and 1d Red plates 1a to 11 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription "the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter"
Stamp of Great Britain » 1840 1d Black and 1d Red plates 1a to 11 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription "the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter"
Stamp of Great Britain » 1840 1d Black and 1d Red plates 1a to 11 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription "the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter"
Stamp of Great Britain » 1840 1d Black and 1d Red plates 1a to 11 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription "the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter"
Stamp of Great Britain » 1840 1d Black and 1d Red plates 1a to 11 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription "the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter"

Lot 20046 – 1840 1d black pl.7 IA-LF, the magnificent mint marginal block of twenty four from the left side of the sheet with part inscription “the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter”

Great Britain » 1840 1d Black and 1d Red plates 1a to 11
Price realised
500’000 GBP
Estimate
600’000 – 800’000 GBP
Auction date
Thu 26 Mar 2026 at 14:00 (Europe/Zurich)
Description

THE UNIQUE LARGEST MINT MULTIPLE OF THE PENNY BLACK IN PRIVATE HANDS


1840 1d Black, Plate 7 (IA–LF) – The Famous Seymour Block — Mint Marginal Inscriptional Block of Twenty-Four (6 x 4)


An extraordinary and historically iconic multiple, this mint marginal block of twenty-four from the left side of the sheet is the largest known Penny Black multiple in private hands. It retains part of the rare sheet inscription: “the labels ABOVE the address and towards the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the letter” — a feature of immense philatelic significance.


The block is brilliantly fresh, with excellent margins on the other sides and practically full original gum. Typical of the plate 7 sheet, wrinkling and minor tone spots are noted purely for accuracy and do not detract from the stunning overall appearance.


A world-class exhibition icon, combining rarity, scale, condition, and display impact, unquestionably worthy of the finest collection.


It is the largest known mint block of 24 extant.

Note: The block is the largest part of a sheet known as the Crawford Sheet, broken up.


Provenance: Earl of Crawford, Seymour sale 5, 1952, lot 235.


Expertise: Accompanied by a British Philatelic Association Certificate (2025).

Catalogue ref: SG S.G. 2
Auction
2026 Tomasini Collections (part 1) + Specialised Switzerland
Catalogue
Tomasini Collection of Classic GB Part 1

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