Sparks Auctions

Lot 380, 1879 fifteen cent non-UPU SQ cover to Cape of Good Hope, sold for $5520

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Lot 380Lot 380 1879 15c non-UPU cover to Cape of Good Hope, franked with 1c yellow (pair and single), perforated 11½x12, plus two 6c dull brown, perforated 12 (small faults), all cancelled by light cork cancels, paying the 15c non-UPU letter rate. Mailed from Noel, NS (OCT.18.1879) to Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope (Nov. 28 receiver). With “50” (50 centimes) British claim in red, equivalent to 5d, or 10c. The cover has staining at upper right, fine. Cape of Good Hope is a very rare destination and this is the only known cover prepaying the 15c non-UPU rate, and is also the earliest recorded Small Queen cover to Cape of Good Hope. (Unitrade 35vii, 39d)

Provenance: Charles de Volpi (1966), Harry Lussey (1983), George Arfken (1997), Ted Nixon (2012).

Illustrated in: Canada’s Small Queen Era 1870-1897 by George Arkfen, p.352.
Estimate $3,500, sold for $4,800 plus buyer’s premium.

Lot 49, 1890s one cent yellow SQ bisect on newspaper, sold for $7130

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Lot 49Lot 49 1890s 1c yellow, diagonal bisect, tied by squared circle, paying the ½c domestic second class rate for transient newspapers. The Railway News newspaper masthead (folded), mailed from Fredericton, N.B. (NOV.8.1897) to Westmorland Street in Fredericton. A rare franking, which was authorized by the Canadian Post Office for the Fredericton Post Office between the dates of November 5th and 8th, at which time no ½c adhesives were available. Bit of wear due to the nature of the paper, still very fine and a desirable usage of the 1c stamp, with only six legitimate examples of this bisect having been recorded. A famous item, with great provenance. Accompanied by 1982 RPSL certificate. (Unitrade 35c)

Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein (1970), Dr. Alan Selby (1993), “Jura” Collection (2007), Victor Willson (2013).

Illustrated in: The Postage Stamps and Postal History of Canada by Winthrop Boggs, p.303.
Unitrade CV$6,000, sold for $6,200 plus buyer’s premium.

Lot 54, One cent yellow SQ with segmented cork cancel, double impression, sold for $9200

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Lot 54Lot 54 Canada 1890s 1c yellow, used with clean segmented cork cancel showing a complete double impression of the whole design. The discovery example and only recorded example of this important and dramatic error. Arguably the best example of a double printed Small Queen stamp. Fine to very fine. Accompanied by a 2013 Greene Foundation certificate. (Unitrade 35 var)

This particular stamp was featured in an article co-authored by Danny Cantor and Geoff Browning published during 2013 in Confederation, the newsletter of the BNAPS Large and Small Queen study group.

Estimate $3000, sold for $8000 plus buyer’s premium.

Lot 461, Canada 1877 illustrated Small Queen cover to Portugal, rated 16 cents, sold for $9775

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Lot 461Lot 461 Canada 1877 16c pre-UPU cover to Portugal, franked with 1c yellow orange, perforated 11½x12, and 5c olive green strip of three, all cancelled with neat target cancels, paying the old 16c pre-UPU letter rate. Mailed at Gaspé Basin, Qué. (FEB.28.1877) to Lisbon, Portugal (Mar. 27 receiver on back) via Québec (Mar. 7) and London, England (Mar. 21), and with FRANCA paid handstamp applied upon arrival in Portugal. For a period of three months (Oct. 1875 to Jan. 1876) the letter rate to Portugal was reduced from 28c to 16c, prior to being further reduced to 10c. This cover was mailed in the 10c rate period, but franked at the old 16c rate, probably due to the postmaster not being aware of the change, or the sender wanting to ensure that the cover was sent fully prepaid. A lovely and clean cover, with illustrated advertising from John LeBouthillier & Co. depicting drying cod fish, pristine and extremely fine. (Unitrade 35d, 38)

This much-heralded cover has always been considered to be one of the most important and desirable Small Queen covers in existence due to the combination of a rare destination and rate, the rarity of illustrated pre-UPU covers, and the overall quality and attractiveness of the stamps and envelope. One of the highlights of the Cantor collection and a rare opportunity for a collector to become the next custodian of this fantastic cover which has graced several important Small Queen collections.

Provenance: Charles de Volpi (1966), “November” collection (1994), S.J. Menich (2000).

Illustrated in: Canada’s Small Queen Era 1870-1897 by George Arfken, p.321.
Estimate $6,000, sold for $8,500 plus buyer’s premium.

Lot 385, Canada 1888 registered cover with 5c RLS + 10c rose lilac SQ to Manking China, $12,075

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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, sold for $10,500 plus buyer’s premium.

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