The Tay Peng Hian’s Grand Prix Collection of
NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES
Part 1 – October, 2026
David Feldman International Auctioneers is pleased to present the Grand Prix collection of Netherlands East Indies, formed over more than three decades by the distinguished philatelist Tay Peng Hian, FRPSL, RDP, former President of the FIP and FIAP.
The collection has received some of the highest honours in international philately, including the FIP Grand Prix International in Seoul, the FIP Grand Prix d’Honneur in Luoyang and the World Stamp Championship in Bangkok.
It is an unmatched collection of the first three issues of the Netherlands East Indies, from the imperforated first issue of 1864 (one of the earliest issued stamps of Asia), over the second perforated issues of 1868 (a scarce stamp), to the various values of the third issues of 1870.
Block of 15 10 cent 1864 cancelled in Batavia.
At the heart of the Tay Collection stand at least a dozen exceptional rarities, true treasures of philately: among them, the 1864 First Issue Used Block of 50 (the largest used block known and a major rarity of world philately) and the letter bearing both the 1864 First Issue and the 1870 Third Issue combination franking (the only one recorded and a great rarity of Netherlands East Indies).
An estimated 80% of the great rarities of classic Netherlands Indies philately are housed in the collection, including outstanding town cancellations from Sambas, Benkoelen and Banda.
This collection is widely regarded as the most exceptional collection ever formed of the first three stamp issues of the Dutch colony
The difficulty of collecting these stamps cannot be overstated. The printing numbers were low; the perforated 10 cent of 1868 was printed in only 1 million examples and the survival rate was very low (especially for stamps used on mail that remained in the East Indies).
Mr. Tay has published the outstanding book of his collection to the benefit of philatelist and enthusiasts worldwide. Now collectors will have an opportunity to add to their philatelic gems the prestigious provenance “Ex Tay Collection” and delve further into the study of this fascinating, exotic, and highly challenging collecting area.
The only known mixed issue franking of 10 cent 1864 and 1868.
The amazing 10 cent 1864 block of 50 with Ngawie obliteration, the preeminent item of Netherlands Indies philately and indeed a top rarity of world philately.
The only recorded mixed issue franking of 10 cent 1864 and 50 cent 1870.
The awards won by Tay Peng Hian for the collection The Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) 1655-1870:
- FIP Grand Prix International, 2002 Seoul, Korea
- FIP Grand Prix d’Honneur , 2009, Luoyang, China
- World Stamp Championship, 2023, Bangkok, Thailand
The upcoming auctions
The first part of this remarquable collection will be auctioned in October 2026.