62nd Christoph-Gärtner Auction: Dissolution of Two Significant Collections from Great Britain and Old Germany

We have already provided an initial insight into Christoph Gärtner’s summer auction in our March issue (page 47), when we presented top items from the second part of the “Red Cross” collection as well as philately from the Middle East and the Gulf States. In this edition, we want to focus on two collections of a passionate philatelist, which will be detailed during the auction. These are the areas of “Great Britain” and “Old German States,” which are presented in a special catalog and are also offered live via Philasearch.

Fresh Market Material

They originate from the estate of Karl Heinz Schrader (1922–2020), who dedicated his life with great passion to philately. Inspired by his father, he started collecting stamps at a young age. In 1960, he acquired his first “Black Penny.” Besides his professional career as an entrepreneur, collecting letters and stamps remained his greatest passion. Over decades, he built significant collections of British and Old German philately and enthusiastically shared his knowledge about postal history. Even shortly before his death, he continued to expand his collection. Now, his heirs have decided to pass it on to new owners, allowing other collectors to enjoy owning individual pieces.

The “Great Britain” offering excites with an outstanding selection of around 100 letters and Mulready entire covers, mostly franked with the “Penny Black,” the world’s first postage stamp. Among them are rare items from May 7, 1840 (the second day of issue). The collection includes covers from all plates (1-11) as well as some with additional unperforated stamps such as the 1 Penny Red, 2 Pence Blue, and the “Embossed” issues (1 Shilling, 10 Pence, and 6 Pence). The collection is complemented by letters with the first perforated stamps. A highlight is a paper-edge Valentine cover posted on February 17, 1841, in Mallow, with a “Penny Black” from plate 5 bearing the letters “SC” at the bottom. Only a few such covers with the world’s first stamp are known; this is probably the only one used in Ireland. It starts at 3,000 euros. Also notable is a Mulready cover with a franking of a “Penny Black,” paying the 2d postage for a double-weight letter from ½ ounce to less than 1 ounce, with an opening bid of 1,000 euros. An attractive item is a shipping letter with four examples of the “Penny Black” bearing the letters “GG,” “HF,” “HI,” and “JE” from Liverpool, dated July 3, 1840, also starting at 1,000 euros.