Lot 312 BC #BCT43DP, BCT45DP 1911 5c and $1 British Columbia Telephone Engraved Compound Die Proof, in black, with die number 327 at bottom, signed (and dated 1911) between both stamps by the engraver Silas Allen. Mr Silas Robert Allen (1888-1958) was considered the founder of the Canadian school of engraving and first great Canadian security engraver of the twentieth century. He engraved many Canadian stamps from at least 1911 to the 1950s including items such as the 1928 20c Harvester, 1947 Bell issue, $1 Fisherman, $1 Totem, and many more. The British Columbia Telephone frank design changed in 1911, and basically kept this new design until 1968. We believe this might be one of his first, if not his very first engraving, kept as a memento, as it was found in a jewelry box owned by his niece (when he died in 1958 all of his belongings, except for this item, had been sold at auction). A very rare item and an early example of a signed Canadian compound die proof. Estimate C$500.
A Traditional Philatelic Auction House — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
