384. Auction

1881 (Sep 20), 1/2a postal stationery cover of India, indicia cancelled by Darmsala squared circle, additionally franked with 1rp red brown 1880-1 Issue, small red manuscript marks surrounding adhesive to discourage postal fraud, cancelled overtop with black manuscript, to Peshawar, with c.d.s. arrival backstamp (Sep 22), tear to back flap and hinge remnants on reverse, else a fine mixed franking, particularly attractive with the Afghan franking on the front.

1871, (1288), Sher Ali, Lion Issue, printed “Kingdom of Kabul”, over seventy singles and one cover, being a study of the varieties of the shahi, sanar, and abasi denominations, typically cancelled with corner bite, some further cancelled in manuscript typical of Kabul or red smear cancel of Peshawar, note interesting combination usage of two 1sa (Pl. B and C) and 1ab (Pl. C) on piece cancelled with manuscript markings of Tashkurghan, 1872 cover from Peshawar, condition varies dramatically as typical of these issues, an ideal reference or nucleus for an expanded study. (Scott ex 1-7)

1871, (1291), Sher Ali, Lion Issue, mostly mint, with 1ab (4, two being used), 1/2rup (1), and 1rup (2), mounted and identified per plate position, condition mixed, a useful group of this difficult issue, with Dietrich noting “their usage seems to have been comparatively small.” (Afghan Philately, 1871-1989)

1871, (1290), Sher Ali, Lion Issue, mostly used, with nearly forty stamps from Plate A and nearly sixty from Plate B, including two pairs, a strip of three, and strip of four, all written-up on album pages and identified by sheet position, most cancelled by tearing a portion of stamp, some further cancelled in manuscript or with red ink smear, varied condition, but a useful study, rarely offered in such quantity (ex Scott 10-11)

1876, (1293), Sher Ali, “Post Office” Issue, lithographed in Kabul, in colour on white ground, mounted and annotated by denomination, shade, and plate position, approximately eighty stamps including one used pair, with a range of shades noting an extensive variety of greys, several purple singles, including 1sh denomination, and others with distinct rectangular ring-seal or ampersand-style markings of  Tashkurghan, range of greenish shades typical of those examples sold in Kabul, many with red smear cancels of Peshawar, etc, condition varies significantly, an ideal study lot for the specialist. (ex Scott 29-53)

1877 (1294), “Second Post Office” issue, sheet of 40 in ocher (Dietrich “yellow” shade), used in Jalallabad, composed of 25x1sh, 8x1sa, 3x1ab, and two each of 1/2rup and 1rup, printed in eight rows of five on vertically laid paper, without gum as issued, fresh colour, folded between rows 5 and 6, a fine and scarce sheet. (ex Scott 69-73)

1877, (1294), Sher Ali, “Second Post Office” Issue, lithographed in Kabul, with twenty three singles, one tied to piece by manuscript, mostly grey or greenish shades, note two examples in black, the origins of which have been much debated by specialists from Masson-Jones to Boggs to Dietrich, varying condition, a fascinating group.

1878, (1295), Sher Ali, “Third Post Office” Issue, lithographed in Kabul, an extensive study, a mix of mint and used, mounted on pages and annotated as per plate, position, shade, etc, with many large mint multiples including several purple blocks, one being a nearly full sheet showing positions 1 through 36, sheet of 40 Plate B in grey, with several other large multiples or near-complete, complete sheet of Place C in green, a few examples on cover or large piece, over thirty examples of the “Skeleton” issues in shades of brown, green, and black, condition varies, as expected, but a fascinating collection prepared by a dedicated student of the issue.

1880-1, (1298), Abdur Rahman Issue, inscribed “Capital of [the Kingdom of] Kabul”, the Lion’s head having been replaced by a value tablet at centre, a nicely-annotated collection, mounted and identified by denomination, shade, and die, with over 170 singles as well as a number of pairs, strips, and blocks, a wide range of shades, noting wide variations of purple, brown, and lake, mixed condition, a challenging area, with Uyehara & Dietrich noting “this series is unusual and fraught with uncertainty,” an ideal study for the enthusiast of this field.

1891-92 (1309), Kingston of Afghanistan, a mint and used selection, mounted on pages and annotated, with both regular issues of 1ab - 1rp, including multiples, as well as 1rp registration stamps, note 1rp proof sheet in black on pelure paper, it with some toning spots and folded in places, overall mixed condition through note several fine examples, a difficult assembly.

1892-9 Regular Issue, Registration, and “Skeleton” Issue, a mint and used collection mounted on pages, the Regular Issue with over forty  1ab singles and a block of four, on wove paper, displaying myriad paper shades and a range of coloured cancellations, these having been introduced in provincial post offices in 1890-1, seven further examples on cover, including one franked with a pair, four “Skeleton” issues, as well as a study lot of forgeries, 2ab with over twenty examples, also in a range of paper colours, as well as a block of ten, Registration stamps with nearly twenty singles and several pairs, as well as a dozen examples of 1899 Registration receipts, a small selection of revenues accompanies, a few small flaws, but a chiefly fine and attractive collection

1900s/1980s, a comprehensive mint and used collection in eight albums, replete with scarce and unusual items, beginning with the first engraved series, the 1907 issues of Habibullah Khan, with imperforate and perforated multiples including gutter blocks, 1907 usage on India mixed-franking cover, 1909 “National Seal” issue including imperforates and misperforated varieties, scarce 1923 Kabul Interurban Issue prepared for mail from Kabul to the planned modern capital that did not materialize, from 1932 National Council issues onwards quite well-filled, the issued stamps often complemented by proofs, large multiples, varieties including tete-beche pairs (including 1931 usages on-cover), full sheets and cancellation studies, the more modern issues with mostly full sets and including souvenir sheets, Provisionals including the 1939 Habibullah Ghazi issues, back-of-the-book including useful range of 1909-26 Parcel Post highlighting imperforates, tete-beche blocks, etc, 1909 Officials including on-cover usages, Air Post including unofficial essays, revenues, etc, a few dozen covers through the 1940s, including censored, returned to sender, flight covers, as well as one album containing a study of roughly ninety 1909-1992 postal stationery items, the earlier issues in typical mixed condition, an overall exceptional and fascinating collection, with many uncommonly-seen items, compiled over many years by a dedicated student of the subject, ideal for continuation and further specialization.

1880-1 Issue, collection of twenty four covers or fronts, mounted on pages and annotated as to denomination, wide range of shades, ranging from light rose and lake to orange/red and dark browns, mostly domestic usages though note usages from India, most cancelled with pen crosses, though note examples with ring-seal and ampersand-style markings of  Tashkurghan, usual faults and mixed quality, yet a challenging group to assemble.