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John's Jottings January/February 2014 by John Ineson |
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![]() As you are probably aware, by the time you read this Bulletin, the auction of the late Walter Grob-Sigrist's collection will have taken place in Switzerland. Not only did he have one of the best Scout collections in the world, but he also collected Mafeking, which gained a number of Gold International medals. This was sold in June 1993 by Christie's Robson Lowe and included virtually every known variety including the corner copy of the Reversed Head BP. Our member Fredy Scherb from Switzerland, who knew Walter well, has written the following details about him for the Rölli auction catalogue. Walter Grob-Sigrist, Scout philatelic pioneer - On 28th June 2008 Walter Grob passed away aged 94. He was one of the prominent
pioneers of the International Scout philately and founder of the Swiss Scout Philatelic Society in 1984. In the 1950's he was one of the
first enthusiasts to collect the few Scout stamps and covers as historic documents. He was also known for his worldwide correspondence, his short
articles and essays and his
In the Sept-Oct 2006 Bulletin I wrote that D.E. (Bill) Bourke past away in December 2005, and, "What has happened to his collection which included some very fine Mafeking stamps and banknotes as well sketches by Baden-Powell? When Bill died he had a lodger who decided in March (four months after Bill's death) that he would set fire to the house. The lodger then crossed the road and watched as the fire brigade came to put out the fire, after which he went to the Police Station to report what he had done. Since then Bill's solicitor writes "the property was the subject of a severe fire after his death during which all personal effects were destroyed". The lodger has since been sent by the court, to a mental institution. We do know that the Darlington cancel, two Mafeking stamps and a few other Scout related items were purchased from a local dealer by Michael Berry of Healey and Wise. What we do not know was how much other Scout material was placed by the lodger in the local auction before the fire. In other words what happened to the rest of his extensive collection? Has the majority of this been lost forever?" .......Well, the good news is that some of the sketches have survived, which Bill purchased at the Mrs Wade's sale in London in 1965. In a roundabout way "Barrie" has obtained these and in January placed some of them on eBay. The "cracked shin grin" was taken through glass so is not that clear. | ||
![]() Scottish Soldier £330 |
![]() Crossing the Line £260 |
![]() The Cracked Shin Grin £633 |