A number of queries arose following my last article regarding the printing details. Not everyone has access to the detail published in our catalogue for the celebrated November 1993 Kanai collection auction mostly still relevant today, and I feel therefore it can be worthwhile to reprint here:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n Denomination:<\/p>\n Two Pence (a One Penny was prepared but never issued)<\/p>\n Engraver and printer:<\/p>\n It is uncertain who actually engraved the copper plates but the available evidence suggests that it was commenced by Robert Sherwin and completed by another at Port Louis, Mauritius. It is not known who printed the stamps.<\/p>\n Printing Format:<\/p>\n The \u2018Post Paid\u2019 plates became too worn for further use and were re-engraved for the \u2018Sherwin\u2019 issue. It was done so effectively that no feature of the \u2018Post Paid\u2019 engraving was afterwards discernible on the plates. The individual engraving almost exactly coincides with the position previously occupied by the \u2018Post Paid\u2019. Both the \u2018Sherwin\u2019 plates survive, although scored to prevent their further use, are in the Archives of the Royal Philatelic Society, London. Differences in the engraving enable every stamp to be identified as originating from one of the twelve positions on the plate.<\/p>\n Date of Issue: October, 1859.<\/p>\n Perforation: Imperforate.<\/p>\n Paper: Granular thin or thinnish paper (extremely delicate).<\/p>\n Impression: Only one state of impression is recognized.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Census<\/strong><\/p>\n All Sherwin stamps are rare. In all forms I would guess less than 100, perhaps only about 80. We record the following :<\/p>\n Unused: 5 (including the separated pair)<\/p>\n Covers: 7 covers comprising 13 Sherwin stamps<\/p>\n Used: About 60-80, including 23 in the Kanai collection<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Covers<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb-11px|auto||auto||\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.davidfeldman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Mauritius-Sherwin-2d-dark-blue-in-combination-with-Britannia-1858-62-9d-dull-magenta-scaled.jpg\u00a0\u00bb title_text=\u00a0\u00bbMauritius Sherwin 2d dark blue in combination with Britannia 1858-62 (9d) dull magenta\u00a0\u00bb url=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.davidfeldman.com\/dfsa-auctions\/2020-spring-auctions\/mauritius-spring-2020\/20136\/1859-sherwin-issue-sg-40-the-unique-combination-co\/\u00a0\u00bb url_new_window=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ max_width=\u00a0\u00bb600px\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||-2px|||\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb||7px|||\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″] Lot 20136 from our upcoming June 30th-July 2nd auction series<\/a>, a unique cover with a 1859 Sherwin 2d dark blue in combination with Britannia 1858-62 (9d) dull magenta, sent to Nova Scotia<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb3px|||||\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″] Of the seven recorded covers, most are pretty spectacular, comprising two with pairs plus two combination covers, one bearing another pair, and the other a delightfully coloured combination with the Britannia 9d dull magenta addressed to the extraordinary and unique destination of Nova Scotia. This cover is Lot 20136 in the coming Tatiana auction.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb0px|||||\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.davidfeldman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Mauritius_stamp_lot80072_large-1024×585.jpg\u00a0\u00bb alt=\u00a0\u00bbJubilee year Mauritius stamp\u00a0\u00bb title_text=\u00a0\u00bbMauritius_stamp_lot80072_large\u00a0\u00bb url=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.davidfeldman.com\/dfsa-auctions\/2020-spring-auctions\/mauritius-spring-2020\/20135\/1859-sherwin-issue-sg-40-the-finest-known-cover-en\/\u00a0\u00bb url_new_window=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ max_width=\u00a0\u00bb600px\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||1px|||\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb5px|||||\u00a0\u00bb] Lot 20135 in our June 30th-July 2nd auction series, the finest known Sherwin cover, with four examples, sent to France<\/a> But the \u2018pi\u00e8ce de r\u00e9sistance\u2019 is undoubtedly the cover to Bordeaux with no less than FOUR Sherwins. This is a quadruple franking. In all primitive issue covers such a franking is itself extremely rare. It was the noticeable missing gem from the Kanai collection and, in my opinion, the most important Mauritius cover after the Post Office issue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Used<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb1px|||||\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.davidfeldman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Mauritius-1859-Sherwin-2d-block-of-four-905×1024.jpg\u00a0\u00bb title_text=\u00a0\u00bbMauritius 1859 Sherwin 2d block of four\u00a0\u00bb align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ max_width=\u00a0\u00bb500px\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||9px|||\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″] Image of the used block of four of the 1859 Sherwin 2d blue from the Kanai collection, which we sold in 1993 for CHF86’250.<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb1px||22px|||\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″] Imagine a used block of four! That could only exist from a likely quadruple rate also. It was Lot 206 in the Kanai auction sale when it fetched 86,250 Swiss Francs. Kanai also had three pairs, all surprisingly vertical when one would think the obvious cut would be horizontal. One of those pairs helped him make up a complete plate reconstruction which was a remarkable feat given the scarcity of the stamps.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u00a0\u00bb3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb2px|||||\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb||0px|||\u00a0\u00bb] Tatiana has one of those pairs, Lot 20129 in the coming auction. As Lot 207 in the Kanai auction it realized 16,000 Swiss Francs in 1993, stated to be one of the best pairs extant. The Tatiana offer this time also includes no less than 5 single examples. It\u2019s the most abundant offer of Sherwins since the Kanai auction and likely the last time we shall ever see so many together.<\/p>\n From a study of existing examples we can see gradual defects in printing due to lack of inking. The defective inking is not regular affecting some positions much worse than others. It\u2019s no wonder the issue the issue was withdrawn after such a short period.<\/p>\n There is likely much more to be discovered about this very elusive issue and I welcome any comments and especially any new discoveries of course. That brings to mind that one specialist had the kindness and care to point out that in my Part 1 of the Sherwins the \u201ct\u00eate-de-chien\u201d (Dog\u2019s Head) was in fact the curse designated to the previous Lapirot issue, not Sherwins. As I\u2019m self-quarantined right now I couldn\u2019t check this out from the company library when I wrote the article.\u00a0 My apologies, however on reflection, is the Sherwin issue any better – hardly a compliment to dear Victoria?<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.davidfeldman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Mauritius-Sherwin-2d-used-vertical-pair.jpg\u00a0\u00bb title_text=\u00a0\u00bbMauritius Sherwin 2d used vertical pair\u00a0\u00bb url=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.davidfeldman.com\/dfsa-auctions\/2020-spring-auctions\/mauritius-spring-2020\/20129\/1859-sherwin-issue-sg-40-2d-deep-blue-vertical-pai\/\u00a0\u00bb url_new_window=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ hover_enabled=\u00a0\u00bb0″ max_width=\u00a0\u00bb300px\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″] Lot 20129 in our June 30th-July 2nd auction series<\/em><\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ link_option_url=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.davidfeldman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2008-Apr-Mauritius-David-Feldman-SA.pdf\u00a0\u00bb link_option_url_new_window=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb] For those interested, here are some of the PDFs of the important collections and rarities of Mauritius sold by David Feldman in the last 30 years, which we hope will be a useful resource to Mauritius collectors (more will be added in due course):<\/p>\n 1993, November: The Kanai Collection of Mauritius<\/a> (prices realised<\/a>)<\/p>\n 2004, November: Mauritius including pre-stamp postal history <\/a>(prices realised<\/a>)<\/p>\n 2006, April: Mauritius in our Rarities of the World auction<\/a><\/p>\n 2006, December: The \u00ab\u00a0Saint Louis\u00a0\u00bb collection of Mauritius<\/a> (prices realised<\/a>)<\/p>\n 2016, November: The Mauritius \u00ab\u00a0Post Office\u00a0\u00bb Printing Plate<\/a> (prices realised<\/a>)<\/p>\n 2016, November: The Mauritius \u00ab\u00a0Bombay Cover\u00a0\u00bb<\/a> (prices realised<\/a>)<\/p>\n 2017, December: Mauritius including the \u00ab\u00a0Adamastor\u00a0\u00bb collection<\/a> (prices realised<\/a>)<\/p>\n 2018, June: 200+ lots of Classic Mauritius and De La Rue Issues<\/a> (prices realised<\/a>)<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A number of queries arose following my last article regarding the printing details. Not everyone has access to the detail published in our catalogue for the celebrated November 1993 Kanai collection auction mostly still relevant today, and I feel therefore it can be worthwhile to reprint here: Specifications Denomination: Two Pence (a One Penny […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":26647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[627,624],"tags":[323,607],"class_list":["post-26470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-auction-highlights","category-digest_articles","tag-mauritius-2","tag-sherwins"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″ custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb5px|||||\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.4.4″]