Lot 383 Canada #15 1859 5c Beaver Old Time Extensive Collection, purchased at auction in the early 1960s for US$2,200 when it contained only 430 stamps (auction card and detailed description included), and the collection now contains 790 stamps. At the time it was purchased it contained some covers, which we have lotted separately, and the missing stamps appear to have been removed prior to that early 1960s sale. The collection, which appears to have belonged to Major G.A.E. Chapman of Ottawa (a well published and award winning student of this issue) is quite advanced, with many notes and remarks, and focuses on shades, papers, imprints, identified plate positions (many) and postmarks, many of which rarely seen. We note several paper types, including thick, thin, a stitch watermark, one identified as “laid” (which was sent to the RPSL in 1953 who identified it more as a “ribbed,” and to the E.B. Eddy Paper Co, with accompanying letters), a pair which appears imperf between but shows only two unpunched perforation holes between, perforation varieties including some imperforate singles, a single with a few perforation holes through the stamp and none around, many pairs, at least 19 mint and unused copies including the lovely block of four pictured in our catalogue. Postmarks noted include several with rate markings (1, 3, 5, 10, PAID), fancy numerals (16, 37, 21 roller, Toronto fancy 2, etc.), 4-rings noted are 4, 5, 18, 21, 27), many cork cancels, a complete Toronto mutilated Berri duplex, a lovely group of dated copies (calendar collection) from AUG.6.1859 to JUN.14.1870 all from a multitude of different towns, including many small. There is a selection of railway cancels on 12 stamps, and finally we note extensive plated material, a few of which are glued on an old time large positional cardboard, as well as the most imprint copies we have ever seen in one place. Catalogue value is for all regular stamps only. A unique, and once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire an old time untouched collection full of interesting material. For the most advanced collector, or would be a great start to an advanced study of this fascinating definitive, in use for at least ten years. Scans only show a portion of the collection. Scott CV U$36,988, sold for $6,600 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
A Traditional Philatelic Auction House — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
