A seemingly ordinary Great Britain stamp album has been revealed to contain a remarkable collection of rare and sought-after stamps – including Penny Blacks and a Twopenny Blue – after being brought to Hansons by a vendor in Devon.
You can’t judge a book by its cover and the same can certainly be said for a stamp album.
When four albums were brought to Hansons Derbyshire by a gentleman from Devon, they initially appeared to be little out of the ordinary. The vendor was particularly excited about a collection of French stamps, but it was a seemingly unremarkable Stanley Gibbons Great Britain album that caught the attention of Hansons stamp specialist David Lyon.
“I see this type of album regularly and usually there isn’t a great deal in the first few pages, as these are where you would expect to find the oldest and most valuable stamps,” said David.
But this one was very different. The first thing I spotted was a very fine Penny Black. On closer inspection, it was mint with its original gum – a particularly desirable feature for collectors.”
And there was more to come.
The album also contained another Penny Black and an 1840 Twopenny Blue, followed by an impressive range of Victorian and Edward VII issues.
Among the highlights were two Victoria £1 green stamps, along with other significant Victorian issues. The album also contained two examples of the rare 1867-1883 Ten Shilling Green/Grey issue, while another standout was one of Great Britain’s most iconic stamps – the 1929 Postal Union Congress £1, instantly recognisable by its distinctive black design and large portrait of King George V.
The collection is expected to fetch more than £2,500 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons’ stamp auction on Tuesday 29th September at Etwall, Derbyshire. The sale will feature other high-quality material, with a particular focus on Great Britain’s Victorian issues and several Commonwealth collections.
Charles Hanson said the discovery highlighted the treasures that can sometimes be found in collections which have been stored away for generations.
“Stamp collecting has a wonderful ability to connect us with the past,” he said. “Many collections have been lovingly assembled by previous generations and then put away, sometimes for decades. When they eventually come to light, there can be some fascinating discoveries.”
He added: “This is exactly why we encourage people not to dismiss an old stamp album simply because it looks unremarkable. A collection that has been sitting in an attic or cupboard could contain something of real interest to collectors.”
David said the discovery demonstrates why collectors and families should never assume an old album has little value simply because it looks ordinary.
“People often have stamp collections that have been tucked away for years – sometimes inherited from parents or grandparents – without realising what they contain,” he said.
“Condition and rarity are important, but so is the number of examples that survive today. The Penny Black is a good example. Around 68 million were originally produced in 1840, and an estimated 1.6 million are still in existence, so despite being one of the world’s most famous stamps, it isn’t necessarily rare.
“Collectors also look very closely at condition. With Penny Blacks, for example, the margins around the stamp can make a significant difference, with four clear margins being particularly desirable.”
Charles Hanson said Hansons was keen to hear from anyone who might have a similar collection waiting to be discovered.
“We are always interested in hearing from people who have inherited collections or have items that have been stored away for years,” he said. “You simply don’t know what you might have until an expert has had the opportunity to look through it.
Our stamp auctions attract collectors from across the UK and around the world, making them an excellent opportunity for important and unusual material to reach a specialist audience.”
The Penny Black, issued in 1840, was Britain’s first adhesive postage stamp and remained in use for just over a year. It was replaced by the Penny Red in 1841, after concerns that black cancellations could be difficult to see against the stamp’s black background and could facilitate fraud.
Hansons is now actively seeking further stamp collections and individual rarities for its early December auction.
David added: “We would be delighted to hear from anyone who has a stamp collection sitting in an attic, cupboard or drawer, particularly if it belonged to a family member and hasn’t been looked at for many years.
You never know what might be hiding inside. This Devon collection is a perfect example – what appeared to be a fairly ordinary Great Britain album turned out to contain some really exciting material. Valuations are free, and we can advise on the best way to sell.”
Members of the public who have inherited collections, or who suspect there may be forgotten treasures hidden in attic boxes, are invited to book a complimentary, no-obligation valuation with David Lyon and the specialist team.
To discuss a collection, arrange a valuation, or enquire about consignment for the December auction, please call Hansons on 01283 733988 or visit www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk to find a local valuation event.
Auction Details
Auction: The September Stamp & Philatelic Auction
Auction date: 29th September 2026 | 1pm
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com | www.easyliveauction.com
