Lot 227, Canada 1891-94 ten cent rose carmine SQ mint, sold for $4370

Lot 227Lot 227 Canada 1891-94 10c rose carmine, mint, with sheet selvedge at top showing part of the plate imprint, perfectly centered among four large, even margins. Full original gum, never hinged. Extremely fine and desirable. Accompanied by 1990 and 2014 Greene Foundation certificates. (Unitrade 45a)

Our search for a finer never hinged example of the 10c value has failed to identify a stamp which rivals this stamp in terms of overall quality. This stamp is an absolute “must have” for the collector who is looking to assemble a collection of the finest stamps of Canada.
Unitrade CV$2,700, sold for $3,800 plus buyer’s premium.

Cantor Small Queens Collection — Prices Realized

Sale 19, The Daniel Cantor Collection of Canada Small Queens, concluded yesterday about 6:00pm EST. A busy floor of collectors and agents was joined by a very active contingent of internet and phone bidders to create a truly dynamic sale. As a result, we saw some terrific realizations as well as what are certain to be many record prices. (The Prices Realized can be downloaded from this link.)

We will feature the highlights in subsequent posts here on our site, but here is a tremendous result to get started:

Lot 350Lot 350 1877 13c pre-UPU registered letter rate cover to England, franked with a 5c olive green and an 8c blue RLS, both tied by straightline REGISTRATION handstamps, paying the pre-UPU 5c preferred rate plus 8c registration fee. Mailed from Goderich, Ont. (neat JUN.8.1877 inner broken circle) to London, England (June 23 receiver) through Toronto and Lothbury. Also a red crown Registered cancel on front. A very clean cover, with clear postmarks and one of only 16 known franked with an 8c RLS. Rare and very fine. (Unitrade 38, F3)

Eight cent registered letter stamp covers are rarities of the highest calibre, with only 16 covers having been recorded with the 8c RLS used for its intended purpose. Of these 16 covers, many have faults or are otherwise unattractive. The cover offered here is in absolute pristine condition, unlike any other 8c RLS covers and graced the collections of multiple illustrious collectors. One of the key items from the Cantor collection and one of the most important Small Queen covers to England.

Provenance: Bill Simpson (1980), “November” collection (1994), S.J. Menich (2000), William H. Gross (2009).

Estimate $15,000, sold for $29,900 with buyer’s premium. This is believed to be the highest price ever for a Small Queen on cover.

Lot 385 — Canada 1888 fifteen cent registered cover with ten cent rose lilac Small Queen to Manking, China

The Daniel Cantor Small Queens sales takes place tomorrow. This outstanding cover has already attracted strong bidding interest and will likely exceed the estimate.

Lot 385Lot 385 Canada 1888 15c non-UPU registered letter rate to China, franked with 10c rose lilac plus 5c green RLS, paying the 10c non-UPU letter rate plus 5c registration fee. Mailed from Niagara Falls South (APR.10.1888) to Manking, Chinese Empire, Asia (US Consulate May 21 receiver) via Hamilton, Windsor, San Francisco. Sent back to Canada through Dead Letter Office. Few minor edge tears, still a very rare and desirable cover. (Unitrade 40, F2)

An outstanding registered cover to China with a unique franking. We are aware of only three registered Small Queen covers to China, only two of which have a 5c RLS.

Provenance: Dr. Clare Jephcott (private sale), Bill Simpson (1996), S.J. Menich (2000).

Illustrated in: Canada’s Small Queen Era 1870-1897 by George Arfken, p.386; Canada and the Universal Postal Union by George Arfken, p.74; CAPEX 1996 Gems of Canadian Philately, p.65.

Estimate $5,000

Lot 129 — Canada 1890s five cent grey Small Queen imperf block of six, mint

Lot 129Lot 129 Canada 1890s 5c grey Small Queen, imperforate, mint upper left marginal block of six, with full shiny yellowish gum, two left pairs are never hinged. The top margin shows a complete “FIVE CENTS” counter (in thick, serifed shaded letters). There is a light vertical crease affecting two right hand stamps plus a small thin in margin below letter “E” of CENTS of counter and a few creases in left margin, one just touching one stamp, very fine. A lovely showpiece. (Unitrade 42a)

Provenance: Bill Simpson (1996), Ted Nixon (2012).

Unitrade CV$5,400

Lot 23 — Canada 1882 half cent black Small Queen on whitish paper, mint horizontal pair

Lot 23Lot 23 Canada 1882 ½c black Small Queen on whitish paper, mint horizontal pair, imperforate between. An exceptionally very well centered pair, with large even margins all round, full original gum, hinged. Our research indicates that this is the best centered pair in existence. Accompanied by a 1986 Greene Foundation certificate. Extremely fine. (Unitrade 34b)
Unitrade CV$1,500