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Auction: 25014 - British Solomon Islands - The Simon Greenwood Collection
Lot: 19

British Solomon Islands
1907 Large Canoe Issue
The Large Canoe Issue was not authorized by the British High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, so to meet the need for postage stamps for the Solomons, Mr. Charles Woodford, the Resident Commissioner, personally had this issue printed in Sydney. To help prove his point and to show a profit, he advertised and sold complete sets to the public at 20/-. By realising a profit and showing the need for stamps, Mr. Woodford demonstrated that the Solomon Islands Post Office was profitable and necessary. The issue was sold from 14 February 1907 and during this initial period, the adhesives were considered "locals" and had franking abilities only to Sydney, Australia. Mail destined internationally required adding the correct New South Wales postage After 3 September 1907, the Large Canoe issue was accepted by the U.P.U. and approved as valid on international mail.
Note: Stamp type numbers quoted in this issue are those taken from "The Encyclopaedia of British Empire Stamps" Vol. IV Australasia by Robson Lowe
Mint
The unique set in complete mint sheets of sixty. Condition throughout is generally fine. All sheets have a few stamps affected by damp or rust staining that in the main does not affect the overall appearance. One ½d. and 2½d. horizontal row are creased, the 2½d. sheet with patchy gum and the 6d. sheet with small thin in margin. No more than seven stamps in each sheet are mounted. S.G. 1-7, £18,000

provenance:
Christie's Robson Lowe sale, June 1985

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Estimate
£8,000 to £10,000