Sparks Auctions is proud to have been chosen to sell this remarkable collection. It is being sold in two parts, Part 1 on Saturday, January 21st, 2023 and Part 2 on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 with both sales presented in a single print catalogue. This specialized collection ranges from the first issues of 1851 to just after World War II, including back of the book, regularly issued stamps, imperforate pairs, blocks and multiples, plate proof singles, pairs and blocks, as well as die proofs, progressive proofs, varieties and more.

Major highlights include an unused 3d red Beaver on laid paper, one of the only two known mint never hinged 12d black Queen Victoria imperforates, a used sheet margin 12d black Queen Victoria imperforate, and all three Admiral gutter blocks of the part imperforate coil blocks.

Just a few of the interesting varieties offered over the two sales are all of the inter-panneau imperforate tête-bêche booklet panes (Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V), “Shilling mark,” “Broken leg,” “Inverted Seaway” (mint and used) and more.

The quality present is consistently very high, as the owner bought only the best from the most reputable sources, with cost not being an impediment. Below you will see a list of the lots with recent graded certificates. Many of the stamps in this sale will not be seen again for a long time, and these stamps are sure to be remembered and referenced for years to come, as “ex Athena collection.”

The sale will be conducted both with a traditional live floor, on StampAuctionNetwork, and we can also accommodate telephone bids.

Enjoy the sale, and good luck!