Highlight #8 — Specialization in collecting

Many people (and especially those who Exhibit competitively) have a favorite stamp issue and extend their collecting interests well beyond the basic listings in the Scott or Unitrade catalogues.

The Canada "Medallions" of 1932 are just one example of a stamp issue where this auction offers to go beyond the scope of the catalogue. We offer 10 individual lots (571 to 579 followed by a booklet as Lot 660). These are all good and will delight new buyers, but two are of special interest.

Lot 574 — Canada #199a 1932 5¢ dark blue KGV Medallion, horizontal pair imperforate vertically, mint never hinged and very fine. Accompanied by 2009 Richard Gratton AIEP certificate. A rare error to locate in any quality, let alone in this lovely never hinged quality. Unitrade CV$3500.

This is the key item of the issue as listed in the catalogues.

To go with the five cent value error, there is another lot which offers distinctive colours which you will not find referenced in the basic catalogues.

Lot 573 — Canada #199 1932 5¢ KGV Medallion dark, deep and slate blue shades, five blocks in five distinct shades: darkest deep blue (9 F-VF), dark blue (24 F-VF plate No. 1 LL – damage to selvedge), blue (24 F-VF plate No. 1 UL – hinge remnants in selvedge), slate blue (16 fine plate No. 2 LL) and light slate blue (35 mostly VF, partial plate 2, light crease in 2). All stamps never hinged, fine-very fine. Unitrade CV$2940.

This lot was originally in the huge King George V never hinged Lot 1611, which has a massive Scott catalogue value of $42,567.

Lot 1611 — 1897-1949 Large stockbook of mint never hinged from an old-time accumulation. All stamps never hinged, mostly in part panes, blocks and large multiples (such as blocks of 9 or more). Strength in KGV era. Some multiples have inscriptions in the selvedge. We note: 1897 1¢ orange Jubilee strip of 4, 1911 7¢ red brown Admiral in four blocks of 4, 1930 50¢ dull blue Grand Pré single and pair, large blocks (including plate numbers) of the 1931 10¢ green Cartier, blocks of the 1932 Medallion series, large blocks of the 1932 13¢ dull violet Quebec Citadel, half pane (folded) of the 1934 3¢ Jacques Cartier, a number of large blocks of the 13¢ blue Britannia, large blocks of the 1935 1¢-8¢ KGV series, large blocks (including some of 20) of the 1935 10¢ Mountie. Overall centering of this selection is typical with better items to be found. Scott CV$42,567.

This might be quite a bargain but it will take a big budget to add so many Medallion blocks to your collection.  On the other hand it might be possible to buy the lot and sell off much of it to cover the whole cost, leaving some great items at no cost but your time and expertise.