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Stanley Gibbons has acquired some rare Mulready stationery with a link to Guernsey. In 1840 an Irish painter living in London, William Mulready created illustrations for some postal stationery which was issued by the Royal Mail at the same time as the Penny Black. They were issued on May 6th 1840.
Stanley Gibbons has acquired some rare Mulready stationery with a link to Guernsey. In 1840 an Irish painter living in London, William Mulready created illustrations for some postal stationery which was issued by the Royal Mail at the same time as the Penny Black. They were issued on May 6th 1840.
In 1841, a 1d Mulready lettersheet with a 4d franking was sent from Waterford in Ireland to Edmund Richards at Le Petit Marche, St Peter Port, Guernsey. This is one of the most valuable pieces from the collection, and is being offered for sale at £75,000.
Also on sale is a 2d Mulready envelope sent from Guernsey to Kennington in June 1840. It is believed to be the only recorded 2d Mulready used from Guernsey. It is for sale at £18,000.
The Mulready stationery was withdrawn after only two months of production, following a campaign by members of the stationery trade who were worried it was taking business away from them, which is why good examples are now very rare.
Keith Heddle, Stanley Gibbons’ Group Investment Director said this is a rare chance to acquire a piece of postal history, ‘These two Mulreadys are part of the prestigious ‘Mayflower’ collection of Mulready letter sheets and envelopes. This has been widely regarded as the finest collection ever assembled in private hands. We have the honour of selling the collection, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire some rare and beautiful Guernsey postal history.’
