Lot 1004 1879 letter mailed from Fort Benton, Montana Territory on NOV.28.1879 (purple octagonal star duplex, used for less than one year, ties a 3c Washington stamp) to Henry J. Morgan in Ottawa (DEC.9 receiver). The 4 page letter inside is datelined 5 days earlier “Fort Walsh, 23rd Nov 1879” and was written by Morgan’s brother William, an early constable of the North West Mounted Police (regimental #191), who is describing the difficulties of living and working at Fort Walsh. He writes “I am now on the most dangerous duty chopping wood with another, five miles from the Fort. Of course we carry our rifles revolvers chuck full, but we are just as liable to be shot in the back, as poor Graham was. If you know the boy’s people you can tell them that every man here longs to avenge him – and aim to on the first opportunity…” he goes on “I want to get out of this Fort, for in plain English it is the damndest fraud ever perpetrated on the people of Canada…”. Henry Morgan, upon having received the letter forwarded it to Sir John A. Macdonald writing on the cover “Dear Sir John, Please return when you have read this” and the back of the cover has the reply “Dear Morgan, Thanks – your brother appln came I have got his discharge. (signed) JAMD”. The online Mounted Police database (LAC) reveals that he was discharged on June 17, 1881. Fort Walsh was intended to curb the illegal whiskey trade, protect Canada’s nearby border with the United States, and aid with native policy. It served as the NWMP headquarters from 1878 to 1882. Historically important. Estimate $1,000 sold for C$1,900.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Auction #27
May 29-30, 2018
Lot 1202, Collection of Ontario town cancels on stamps, sold for C$2,875
Lot 1202 Collection of Ontario Towns on Stamps, all displayed on 38 black double-sided stock sheets, mostly fine to very fine strikes from a large number of different towns, including many better. Appears to be sorted and described alphabetically and we note a large variety of different stamps including Small Queens (many 8c), Jubilees, Leafs and Numerals, etc. We note many earliest or latest, time marks, periods of use, errors and more interesting material, way too much to list here. Probably close to 2,000 stamps included. Careful viewing is highly recommended to better appreciate the wealth included. Estimate $2,000, sold for C$2,500.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1218, Canada 1954 SHERBROOKE QUE squared circle on three cent carmine rose Karsh pair, sold for C$977
Lot 1218 SHERBROOKE QUE. Hammer II squared circle, a light strike 12 NOV on a pair of 3c carmine rose Karsh stamps, being the latest reported date (unconfirmed in Handbook), even though the year is missing. This stamp was issued on May 1st, 1953 so it should be later than that at least. Only two or three strikes reported, RF 200. Estimate $350, sold for C$850.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1283, New Brunswick town cancel collection, 1840s to 1930s, sold for C$3,450
Lot 1283 Collection of New Brunswick Town Postmarks 1840s to 1930s, on over 600 covers and cards. The collection is sorted alphabetically by post office, and includes a large amount of small office postmarks, early and late dates, many “only known on cover” or one of 2 or 3 known, many Small and Large Queen covers, as well as many covers franked with New Brunswick stamps, stampless, better postmarks such as a lovely 1906 Indiantown squared circle, many registered covers, a good variety of postmarks such as duplex, datestamps of all sorts, fancy corks, etc. Also includes picture postcards (including real photos) depicting town scenes, sometimes showing the post office there. All but one cover are small size and there are faults as the collection caters to postmarks, still generally fine condition. Too many scarce to rare post offices and postmarks to list here, viewing is highly recommended to better appreciate to wealth included, a rare opportunity to acquire some important New Brunswick postal history. This lot includes The Post Offices of New Brunswick 1783-1930 reference by George MacManus. We have scanned only a small portion online. Ex. George MacManus. (Scan a) (Scan b) (Scan c) (Scan d) (Scan e) (Scan f) (Scan g) (Scan h) (Scan i) (Scan j) (Scan k) (Scan l) (Scan m) (Scan n) (Scan o). Estimate $2,000, sold for C$3,000 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Lot 473, Canada 1912 one dollar Admiral 5-hole OHMS wet printing VF used, sold for C$345
Lot 473 Canada #OA122b 1912 $1 Admiral Wet Printing Official, Perforated 5-Hole OHMS, (position B, with missing hole in S) used with Toronto DEC.4.1929 c.d.s. cancel, very fine. A rare wet printing stamp. Catalogue value given is for the later dry printing variety. Unitrade CV$216, sold for C$300.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.