Error on 1965 Joseph Lister 4d stamps is a perfect philatelic prescription!

Error on 1965 Joseph Lister 4d stamps is a perfect philatelic prescription!

RARE stamps, hundreds of vinyl records and sought-after militaria are due to go under the hammer in Tamworth.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers' Collectors Sale starts at 10am on Tuesday, November 23, at 34-35 Church Street.

It features a sheet of 1960s Great Britain stamps with a rare printing error, uncovered by philatelic expert Phil Ives at a recent specialist stamps valuation at the Lower Gungate saleroom.

The block of 30 1965 4d stamps commemorating the centenary of Joseph Lister’s discovery of antiseptic surgery carries an image of his carbolic spray.

It is the red-brown colour on part of this apparatus which is missing on the last two columns of the sheet, now worth hundreds of pounds.

Stamps specialist Phil Ives is offering more free valuations at Tamworth on December 2.

“In 1960s Britain, life was becoming more colourful. That movement extended to stamps,” said Mr Ives.

“It was during the 60s that multicoloured stamps became mainstream for lower value stamps.

“It is fair to say that the new printing technology occasionally failed, with the result that stamp has a colour missing.

“Usually such an error would be picked up at the printers.

“Occasionally the error occurred midway through printing a sheet, so that half would be normal, the rest would be affected by the printing error.

“Errors such as this are rare and keenly sought. To have such a large block showing the error is sure to create a lot of interest.”

He added: “It’s a remarkable piece with great visual appeal.”

The block of 1965 Joseph Lister stamps showing a rare printing error.

Offered as part of a folio of 1960s blocks as Lot 214 on November 23, the stamps are estimated to fetch between £500 and £600.

Mr Ives is offering more free valuations at Tamworth on Thursday, December 2 – telephone 01827 217746 to book.

The family firm’s second sale also includes the World War One Distinguished Flying Cross earned by 19-year-old RAF pilot Lieutenant George Edgar Bruce Lawson.

One of only eight South Africans to be awarded the DFC and a fighter ace credited with six aerial victories, Lieutenant Lawson downed famous WW1 German ace Leutnant Fritz Rumey in 1918.

Lawson’s gallantry group plus an archive of associated paperwork is estimated to fetch in excess of £3,500 but could soar up to £6,000.



The sale also features a ‘fantastic’ example of a WW2 German Luftwaffe watch by Lange & Sohne, pictured above.

In full working condition, the timepiece has been in the vendor’s ownership since he was 11 – more than 76 years ago – and is set to fetch thousands of pounds at the auction.

A huge choice of vinyl records including Rolling Stones collectables also features in the sale, alongside toys, cameras, jewellery and ephemera.

The catalogue may be viewed online a week before the sale via our Auction Dates page.

For auction information, viewing enquiries and valuation appointments, email tamworth@richardwinterton.co.uk, telephone 01827 217746.