Swedish stamp sketch draws $84,500 from collectors in Postiljonen's auction

Swedish auctioneer Postiljonen have completed their March International auction which offered an extraordinary 1,600 lots from countries all around the world.

The sale's greatest strength however was in Europe, with some of the highlights including the "Leif Ericsson" Large Gold Collection of classic Iceland, an exhibition collection of classic Denmark and various large estates including material from Belgium, Great Britain and the USA.

However, we're going to focus for the time being on some lots from a spectacular range of stamps from the auctioneer's homeland - the birthplace of the Treskilling Yellow. Two of the star lots came from classic Sweden:

Firstly, there was a Skilling Banco Mother Die - an exceptional colour proof in the dull ultramarine shade with large margins. Very few of these exist in different colours and this is the only known of this shade on private hands, whilst another copy is in the Swedish Postal Museum.

Skilling Banco unique proposal drawing by Sparre

Listed at €15,000 it eventually brought €21,000. More exciting still however, was a fantastic drawing of a proposal for the Skilling Banco issue in the value 4 Sk. bco.

Made by the printer in grey black colour on carton paper, this is an item of the highest rank in absolutely pristine condition, which has been part of some of the most famous Swedish collections and it is illustrated in the Swedish Handbook from 1964.

Opening at €50,000, it was pushed up to €60,000 by eager bidders.