One of the biggest collections of rare New Zealand stamps will go on sale at Sothebys auctions in London next month.

Experts are calling the Baillie Collection the most important collection of stamps to be sold for 50 Years.

Leading New Zealand stamp dealer John Mowbray said today the massive collection to go under the hammer at Sothebys on February 15-17 was unquestionably the most comprehensive collection of its kind.

“These are some of the finest NZ stamps ever known ever to come onto the market. I understand the sale of the collection will exceed $nz45million,’’ Mowbray said from Otaki.

Just three full-face 1855 Queen stamps – the first NZ stamps ever issued - are expected to make about stg657,000 alone.

A total of 1170 lots will be sold during the three day NZ sale.

Posted: 01|31|06 at 8:50 am. Filed under: Auction News.