Lot 367 1844 (April 23), Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, pre-Mexican War military letter, folded letter showing a clear blue circular Jefferson Barracks Mo. (23 Apr) datestamp with matching straight-line Paid and manuscript “25” denoting the prepaid rate for a single letter over 400 miles, the contents datelined Jefferson Barracks, Missouri (22 Apr) in a four-page letter from Lt. I. B. Richardson to his father in Vermont reporting imminent movement of his regiment by water to Natchitoches, Louisiana and onward to Fort Jesup near the Texas frontier only months before annexation, expressing regret at leaving friends in Missouri, commenting on the possibility of U.S. troops entering Texas, and reflecting on the uncertainty of military life together with his personal wish eventually to resign and settle on a farm in Michigan, a fine and complete pre-Mexican War military letter from one of the most important western army posts, very fine. Sold for C$700.00 plus 18% buyer’s premium.
Lot 115, 1870s Bavaria to Montreal letter via New York, sold for C$885
Lot 115 1870s (December 10), Bavaria to Canada, 3kr and 6kr franking to Montreal, cover franked with 3 kr carmine-rose and 6 kr brown Coat of Arms definitives (Mi. #23y, #24x), tied by München single-circle c.d.s., showing bold red New York “Paid All” (24 Dec) transit and blue “Franco” handstamp, manuscript “1/8” (1 shilling 8 pence) denoting British credit, large black “5” due marking at upper left for 5 cents Canadian inland postage payable upon delivery, with Montreal (2 Jan) receiver on reverse, some wrinkling, else a fine cover to Canada. Sold for C$750.00 plus 18% buyer’s premium.
Lot 366, 1894 1pi single franking from Shwaifat to New York City, sold for C$1,888
Lot 366 1894 (December), 1pi single franking from Shwaifat (Mount Lebanon) via Beirut to New York, commercial cover endorsed in manuscript “from Shwaifate – Mount Lebanon via Beyrouth – Syria – Dec. 1894” addressed to New York City, bearing a 1pi pale blue Arms and Tughra issue of Abdul Hamid II, neatly tied by a full strike of the Arabic-only Beirut circular datestamp (reading Beirût with Rumi date 11/2095), reverse showing New York Paid All (20 Jan 95) receiver, light folds and mild toning typical of local paper yet overall fresh, an an exceptional example of this cancellation. Sold for C$1,600.00 plus 18% buyer’s premium.
Autumn 2025 Postal History of the World Sale has finished
Sold for C$700.00 plus 18% buyer’s premium.
Thank you to all bidders and buyers who participated in Sparks Auctions’ Autumn Postal History of the World sale, held December 16, 2025. The sale saw strong competition, as we welcomed many new bidders to the auction.
Invoices have been sent to all successful bidders via email. If you believe you were successful in the sale and you have not received an invoice, please contact us—be sure to check your spam folder as well.
Shipping will be handled according to the methods outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Sale. Prices Realized are available on Stamp Auction Network or can be downloaded from our website.
For local buyers: please note that pickup at our office is by appointment only. If you prefer to have your lots shipped, kindly contact us to make arrangements. While visiting, we invite you to stop by our retail store where a href=”mailto:david@sparksauctions.com”>David Giles will assist you with additional stamp and collecting supply needs.
Stay up to date on our upcoming sales and events by visiting our website. We are always accepting consignments—reach out today to discuss the inclusion of your material in a future auction, or for our offer to purchase.
Our sale and show schedule includes details of our forthcoming Winter Stamps and Postal History of the World auction in March. Chris Green will be in the United Kingdom in mid-January and would welcome the opportunity to meet clients in York or London.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
The Team at Sparks Auctions
Announcing Postal History of the World, December 16th
We are pleased to present our latest sale of Postal History of the World, offering over 500 lots spanning the sixteenth through twentieth centuries and representing an impressive breadth of global material. Collectors will find appealing offerings from a wide range of countries and fields, including Canada, China, India, the Ionian Islands, Russia, South West Africa, a range of European countries and their Post Offices Abroad, and a number of desirable collection lots such as strong holdings of the German States, interesting Great Britain, and desirable topical material.
In addition to this broad worldwide range, the sale features four particularly notable special sections, each representing a distinct area of historical and philatelic interest – Mail of the Holy Roman Empire, United States Air Races & Early Aviation, World War I Airship Postal History, and 1970 FIFA World Cup signed cards:
Mail of the Holy Roman Empire
This selection includes a fascinating group of manuscript letters and official documents from the late sixteenth to early eighteenth centuries, representing the administrative, ecclesiastical, and noble correspondence of the Holy Roman Empire. Spanning Silesian municipal governance, princely bishoprics, noble houses, and the imperial chancery under Leopold I, these items preserve heraldic seals, chancery scripts, and the layered structure of early Central European authority and communication. These lots may be found both under Austria and Germany, as appropriate.
World War I Airship Postal History
A notable holding comprising a wide range of Zeppelin-related postal history lots documenting the operational world of German and Austro-Hungarian airships during the First World War. Feldpost items tied to specific Zeppelins and airship commands, scarce unit cachets, officer-signed correspondence, and striking home-front relics, including anti-Zeppelin propaganda and wire fragments from the downed Cuffley airship, highlight the diversity of this collecting field.
United States Air Races & Early Aviation
The catalogue also features a remarkable selection from the Golden Age of Air Racing, when the late 1920s and early 1930s saw aviation transformed into an international spectacle. Individually offered signed covers provide a direct link to the celebrated pilots of the period—Doolittle, Holman, Barnes, Omlie, Udet, Doret, and others—each a compelling artifact from aviation’s most dynamic years
1970 FIFA World Cup Signed Cards
Rounding out the special offerings is a vibrant cultural highlight: eleven signed “Sportimex” souvenir cards issued during the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Widely regarded as the greatest tournament ever played, and the first to be broadcast in colour, Mexico 1970 brought together Europe’s strongest sides and South America’s greatest stars, culminating in Brazil’s legendary triumph under Pelé and Jairzinho. These June-1970-cancelled cards provide an evocative and authentic link to football’s first truly global spectacle.
High-quality online images, along with videos of collection lots, may be found on Philasearch and Stamp Auction Network. Live bidding will take place at our offices in Ottawa, Canada, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, with participation welcome in person, by telephone, or online. All transactions are conducted in Canadian dollars, typically providing a favourable exchange rate for many of our international clients.
Our Winter 2026 sale preparation is well underway, and we continue to welcome consignments for our Spring 2026 sale. We invite enquiries regarding both consignment and the outright purchase of collections.
Best of luck with the sale,
The Team at Sparks Auctions