M G 1 0 4 T H E A R T H U R G R A Y K IN G G E O R G E C O M M E M O R A T IV E S – P A R T T W O – 2 3 M A Y THE ARTHUR GRAY 2 0 1 6 KGV COLLECTION – PART TWO Melbourne, Monday 23 May 2016 926–930 High Street Armadale, Victoria 3143 03 9508 8888 MELBOURNE SYDNEY BRISBANE LONDON www.mossgreen.com.au COVER ILLUSTRATIONS: MG104 Front Cover: Lot 48 Back Cover: Lot 188 REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES SPECIALISTS AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY AUSTRALIAN & INTERNATIONAL ART MOSSGREEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS Phillip Jones Frances Lindsay [email protected] 0414 788 681 [email protected] Jon Dwyer [email protected] Jack Gringlas OAM Charles Leski Paul Sumner Tom Frommer Stamps and Postal History Anna Hombsch [email protected] Chairman Deputy Chairman Chief Executive Officer 0422 344 250 [email protected] Petrit Abazi [email protected] Paul Sumner [email protected] TASMANIA SINGLE-OWNER COLLECTIONS Warwick Oakman MANAGEMENT TEAM 0439 990 854 [email protected] Paul Sumner [email protected] Malcolm Groom Stamps and Postal History Paul Sumner Kylie Keyhoe Doug Harris 0407 314 112 [email protected] AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS ART Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Chief Operating Officer Shaun Dennison [email protected] WESTERN AUSTRALIA Jesse De Deyne [email protected] John Brans 0412 385 555 [email protected] OCEANIC & TRIBAL ART Ross Duberal Stamps and Postal History Bill Evans [email protected] 08 9341 3576 [email protected] CHINESE & ASIAN ART QUEENSLAND Ray Tregaskis [email protected] Jan Manton Allan Rae [email protected] 0419 657 768 [email protected] Luke Guan [email protected] Abby O’Donnell 0414 305 504 [email protected] ANTIQUES & DECORATIVE ARTS Sandy Bruce [email protected] NEW SOUTH WALES Richard Gordon [email protected] Martyn Cook Martyn Cook Galleries Harry Glenn [email protected] 02 9011 6686 98 Barcom Avenue Jennifer Gibson [email protected] Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2011 [email protected] STAMPS, COINS & POSTAL HISTORY Gary Watson [email protected] UNITED KINGDOM Charles Leski [email protected] Johnny Messum Nick Anning [email protected] +44 (0) 7971 676 451 [email protected] Patrick Reid Stamps and Postal History SPORTING MEMORABILIA +44 (0) 1344 867 311 [email protected] Max Williamson [email protected] Charles Leski [email protected] Benjamin Goller [email protected] HISTORICAL & AUSTRALIANA Charles Leski [email protected] Harry Glenn [email protected] BOOKS & HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS Charles Leski [email protected] Incorporating Leski Auctions and Prestige Philately JEWELLERY Patti Sedgwick [email protected] Melbourne Brisbane Hobart Ray Schlager [email protected] 926–930 High Street Unit 1, 98 Fortescue Street 62 Sandy Bay Road Armadale, Victoria 3143 Spring Hill, QLD 4000 Battery Point, Hobart 7004 INTERIOR DECORATOR t +61 3 9508 8888 t 07 3831 3060 t 0439 990 854 Amanda Swanson [email protected] f +61 3 9508 8899 e [email protected] e [email protected] e [email protected] MOTORING w www.mossgreen.com.au Robert Richards [email protected] Catherine Davison [email protected] Sydney Perth London 98 Barcom Avenue 30-34 Glyde Street, 28 Cork Street DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & SPONSORSHIP Ruschutters Bay, NSW 2011 Mosman Park 6012 London W1S 3NG t 02 9011 6686 t 08 9384 7300 t +44 (0) 207 437 5545 Amanda Swanson [email protected] e [email protected] e [email protected] e [email protected] THE ARTHUR GRAY KGV COLLECTION – PART TWO Melbourne, Monday 23 May 2016 2 ADMINISTRATION ENQUIRIES Department Administrator Accounts Romani Benjamin Cassandra Hilder +61 3 9508 8853 Finance Assistant [email protected] [email protected] Telephone & Absentee Bids Condition Reports & Photo Requests Leanne Kibby Finance Assistant Nick Anning [email protected] [email protected] Collections, Shipping, Packing and Despatch Claire Mazzone [email protected] 3 SPECIALIST ENQUIRIES Stamps & Postal History Stamps & Postal History Gary Watson Charles Leski [email protected] [email protected] Stamps & Coins Nick Anning [email protected] 4 HOW TO BUY AT MOSSGREEN AUCTIONS We have compiled the following guide to assist you with the exciting process that is bidding at auction. 5 Viewing Mossgreen’s printed catalogues are available approximately four Talk to our Specialists weeks prior to an auction sale date. Online catalogues are posted Our people are always happy to discuss any lot with you in at www.mossgreen.com.au approximately three weeks prior to greater detail. Their names and contact details are published in the auction date. Catalogues can be subscribed to yearly, or you each appropriate catalogue and on our website. can collect a complimentary copy at the viewing. Complimentary catalogues are also sent free of charge to regular buyers. Condition Reports Typically, the viewing period is the three or four days immediately before the auction date, from 10.00am to 5.00pm at our premises Condition reports are available upon request. These supplement in Armadale. Additional viewing venues, dates and times may be the catalogue description of the lot and provide guidance on specified in the catalogue and on the Mossgreen website. quality and appearance. They are advisable to obtain if you have a query about a lot that you are unable to view in person. Please Estimates send your email request to [email protected] An estimate of value is provided for each lot, taking into account rarity, condition, quality and provenance, plus the perceived state of the market. Estimates are generally pitched at “realistically conservative” levels. In almost all cases, the reserve is 75% of the estimate. Bidding Mossgreen Auctions offers all clients four options to bid at our happening in the room itself and will bid on your behalf in line auctions: with your instructions. Because there can be problems with phone bidding - you 1. Personal attendance at the Auction are not home when we call; your phone is switched off or the battery dies; there is a service interruption; the line is poor; etc - Experience the excitement, theatre and fun of bidding at a live we strongly recommend that you provide us with covering bids auction. for the lots in which you are interested. This does not need to be Make sure you arrive with enough time to register for a bidding your top figures. The reason for doing it is to provide you with number. If you haven’t purchased from Mossgreen before you insurance against any of the mentioned problems occurring, and will need to bring along photo identification such as your they do all occur! driver’s licence or passport. We have prepared a pamphlet “Assistance with Phone Bidding” that you may find helpful. To obtain your copy, simply phone or 2. Postal or Absentee Bidding email Romani Benjamin. This is the ideal solution when you can’t attend in person, or prefer not to bid by phone or live over the internet. 4. Live Online Bidding Simply use the Postal Bid Form at the back of this catalogue. Mossgreen Live is an online bidding service created exclusively For each lot in which you are interested, enter the lot number for Mossgreen clients who wish to bid “live” from the comfort and the maximum amount you wish to bid for the lot. Your of home or office. You can register for online bidding at bids will be “placed on the book” and actioned for you by the www.mossgreen.com.au Please note there is no additional auctioneer. If you are the highest bidder, the lot will be knocked commission added for lots purchased via Mossgreen Live. down to you at reserve (if there are no other bids), or at one IMPORTANT NOTICE: Regardless of the bidding method you bidding step above the second-highest bid. In the event of equal prefer, we request if you have not purchased from Mossgreen bids being received, the earlier bidder will be successful. Post, before that you provide us with appropriate photo ID by way of fax a copy or scan and email the bidsheet to us. your driver’s licence or passport. In this era of identity theft and Especially if you are placing your bids close to the date of the internet fraud, this is a necessary protection for both the auction auction, you can tip the balance in your favour by ticking the house and you, our valued client. “Break Ties” box or the “Increase by” box (making sure you insert the appropriate percentage increment). International Bidding If the total of your proposed bids exceeds your budget, simply enter the total you are prepared to spend against “My overall If you are an overseas bidder who has not purchased from purchase limit is $xxx”. We will stop actioning your bids when Mossgreen before, it is important that you make arrangements your limit is reached. Nobody wants to be unsuccessful in to bid at least a week before the auction. In addition to an auction. By using a limit you may be able to buy lots you providing photo ID (your identity card, driver’s licence or otherwise may not have bid for. passport), our accounts staff may request that you put $A500 in our bank account as a security deposit, and the funds must be NB: If you post your bids from interstate or overseas, it’s wise to “cleared” before the auction. confirm that we have received them. Many clients have been let down by expecting the post office to deliver mail in a reasonable If you are successful in the auction, this deposit will be deducted time. A simple phone call or email can avoid disappointment. from your invoice total. If you are unsuccessful, the deposit will be refunded within 48 hours or, if you prefer, held on your account for use in a future auction. 3. Telephone Bidding This can be the perfect solution for when you can’t attend an auction. A member of the Mossgreen staff will assist you personally in the auction room, relaying each bid and what is These notes have been updated as at 1 November 2015. 6 MALVERN ROAD D A O D G R OA N R ORRO Tram No.6NORTHCOTE ROAD KOOYONG ARMADALE FERRIE ROAD N AD HIGH STREET GLE O R D N A L R E H T U S MeDlAbNoDuErNnOeN VG iReOwAiDng, Auction & Collections Mossgreen Auctions 926–930 High Street Armadale, Victoria 3143 WATTLETREE RD Recommended Auction Agent Well-known philatelic identity Mark Knothe regularly represents multiple clients at our auctions. His services as a bidding agent are highly regarded. You can contact Mark by phone on +61 414 894 991 or by email to [email protected] 7 THE ARTHUR GRAY KGV COLLECTION – PART TWO  Melbourne, Monday 23 May 2016 Viewing times Viewing & Auction location Auction Friday 20 May 10am–5pm Mossgreen Auctions Monday 23 May 2016 Saturday 21 May 10am–5pm 926–930 High Street Time: 2.00pm Sunday 22 May 10am–5pm Armadale, Victoria 3143 Monday 23 May 10am–1pm or at other times by appointment: please contact Romani Benjamin GST Registration Payments & Collection 10% Goods & Services Tax (GST) is To register to bid, all potential Clients who attend the auction may charged to Australian buyers if the purchasers not known to Mossgreen pay and collect purchases on the vendor is from overseas, or is an entity will be asked to provide an accredited day of the auction. After the auction, registered for GST that does not self- form of photo identification. payment/collection will be handled at report to the ATO. In both cases GST- 926-930 High Street, Armadale payable lots are indicated by a small Postal/Telephone Bidding Tuesday 24 May 10am–5pm dagger symbol † immediately after Please complete the Postal or Wednesday 25 May 10am–5pm the estimate for each affected lot. NB: Telephone bidsheet at the back Thursday 26 May 10am–5pm Overseas clients pay no Australian tax of this catalogue and post or fax or otherwise by appointment with it to Mossgreen, or email it to Romani Benjamin Buyer’s Premium [email protected] A buyer’s premium of 24% applies to All payments must be made in all purchases. GST is applicable to the International Bidders Australian dollars. Credit cards will buyer’s premium only, unless indicated be accepted with a surcharge of 2.2% Unless approved by Gary Watson otherwise by the symbol † (inc GST) for Visa and Mastercard or Charles Leski, overseas bidders and 3.3% (inc GST) for American who have not previously dealt with Express. Please refer to the payment Images Mossgreen may be required to form at the back of this catalogue for Please note that images illustrated in transfer a deposit of $A500 into further details. this catalogue are not all to scale. Mossgreen’s bank account; details on the payment form at the back of this catalogue. 8 CATALOGUE INTRODUCTION MAY 2016 1. You are probably aware that our sale of Arthur Gray’s 3. This sale also includes many studies, collections and King George V Heads and Commemoratives, held on accumulations, the product of a lifetime of interest in 30th October 2015, was a great success. By the time the issues of King George V. These meaty lots are sure the dust had settled, only two lots remained unsold, to appeal to collectors who want “a lot of bang for their a clearance rate of 99.66%. The invoices for the sale buck”, to specialists, and to re-sellers alike. exceeded $3,000,000 (including the buyer’s premium), an Because of the volume of material to be processed, we Australian auction record. simply didn’t have time to carefully check every single We received tremendous feedback about the catalogue, stamp. We therefore expect that the diligent viewer will everything from the fabulous material on offer to the discover items that eluded our careful examination. The exceptional production. At the Canberra Stampshow in message is clear: to get the most from this opportunity, March this year, Mossgreen was awarded a Gold Medal you really need to physically view the material. (88 points) for the Arthur Gray catalogue, one of the 4. Arthur was adamant that none of his material would highest marks ever achieved for an auction catalogue at a moulder away in the bowels of an institution. We know philatelic exhibition. that collectors and dealers alike are grateful to Arthur for 2. We’re not expecting outcomes of that magnitude allowing them to acquire his treasures. And all of us at for this offering of the balance of Arthur’s KGV material. Mossgreen feel privileged to have been involved in the However, we are anticipating at least as much interest dispersal of Arthur Gray’s exceptional KGV collection. from the collecting and trade fraternities. That’s because I highly commend this sale to you and, as always, I wish Arthur’s additional material, plus the duplicates, is more you success with your bidding. extensive than most people’s principal collections. If you thought you had missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity back in October, you may well have a second crack at a similar rarity on this occasion. Many of the items in this sale were previously displayed in Arthur’s Large Gold Medal exhibits but, as the exhibits grew - or to achieve better balance - they were Gary Watson and your Team at Mossgreen: relegated to a secondary rôle. Others were acquired too Romani Benjamin, Nick Anning, Yang Liu late to be incorporated in the exhibits. Still others were and Charles Leski (Consultant). rather too specialised for the purpose of exhibiting, too large, or otherwise didn’t quite “fit”. There are numerous terrific items offered here, from monogram pieces to official photographs of original artwork, from complete sheets - including one of two surviving sheets of the 4d blue! - to varieties you can see without a magnifier. Arthur was very keen on positional blocks, and they are scattered liberally throughout the catalogue. He was also a fan of watermark errors, of which there are numerous examples presented here, including Lot 250 which must be one of the most extraordinary paper/watermark errors in all of philately!