Varieties Noted

Two years ago Sparks Auctions was pleased to offer the discovery example of the 1946 Hydro Electric Station imperforate at right margin. It was a lower right plate block which is now listed and illustrated in the Unitrade Catalogue. In this auction we offer the second known example almost certainly from the same sheet. The example in this auction is a used single with a small fault which will sell as Lot 388.

Canada #270var
Lot 388 -- Canada #270var

Canada #270 1946 14c black brown hydroelectric Station imperforate at right margin, used, with part cds cancel. One pulled perf at top, fine. Catalogue value is for fine mint and was based on the sale of the unique plate block we discovered in 2009, and likely this is the unique used example, ex. “Trillium” Collection. Unitrade CV$2500.

This means there are likely to be seven more either mint or used examples awaiting discovery.

Many other varieties are harder to spot. I was looking at some lots for the future auction #9 this morning. In one lot there are dozens of used Bluenoses. One of the popular varieties of this stamp inspired the central storyline for a Tommy Tricker movie about twenty years ago. Did I look for the “Man on the Mast?”  No, and I sometimes wonder how many varieties are not noticed during the lotting process because of laziness or time pressure or lack of knowledge. It certainly gives anyone a bit of a thrill to find a celebrated variety. Here are three that we offer in this auction:

Canada #158iii
Lot 340 -- Canada #158iii

Canada #158iii 1929 50¢ Bluenose Man on the Mast, used with postmark well clear of the variety, very fine. A key used stamp for the variety collector. Unitrade CV$1500

Canada #208i
Lot 361 -- Canada #208i

Canada #208i 1934 3¢ Cartier with “burr on shoulder” variety, used, fine. Unitrade CV$60

Canada #208ii
Lot 362 -- Canada #208ii

Canada #208ii 1934 3¢ Cartier with “scarface” variety, used, fine-very fine. Unitrade CV$75

 

Some Interesting Finds

As regular auction followers know, there is a great amount of ordinary material in most collections.  When describing these for an upcoming auction one cannot always resort to superlatives. On the other hand, it is hardly fair to say something like “and here’s another boring collection.”

Many such collections have no prominent feature whatsoever, while others have items which are pleasant surprises.  One consignor  described his uncle’s accumulation of modern American stamps as ordinary postage. Fortunately for him our describer is familiar with the Americana Series of USA stamps and immediately noticed the different colour of the twelve cent value.  The result is our offering of lots 1024 and 1025.

USA #1816c
Lot 1025 -- USA #1816c

1981 12c brownish red on reddish beige Americana precancel pair, mint never hinged with “PRESORTED/FIRST CLASS” service inscription, fine. A regular 12c coil is included for comparison. Scott CV$2250.

At other times we work on a collection where the possibility of varieties or even rarities is much more likely.  In an extensive collection of early Vietnam we took the time to look closely and found a number of unlisted items.  Likely the most important of these is Lot 1166.

Vietnam #1L18-1L19
Lot 1166 -- Vietnam #1L18-1L19

1945-1946 2c and 4c Governor General Paul Dormer with overprint, on Indo-China (#253-254) with “VIET-NAM DOC-LAP TU-DO HANH-PHUC BUU-CHINH” overprint and wavy line obliterators. Three of the stamps have the third line “HANH-PHUC” inverted which is unlisted in Scott, no gum as issued, very fine. Estimate $300.

Hidden Treasure

Many collections contain one or more gems which even the consignor was unaware of. Every Sparks Auction has brought such items to light. Sometimes it is a new discovery, previously unknown; other times it is an item buried in an old-time collection which will excite at least one collector who has been searching for the “missing piece” for a long time.

Lot 1224 was noticed by one of our lotters in an otherwise ordinary and nondescript group.

Canada Airmail Cover #PF6a
Lot 1224 — Canada Airmail Cover #PF6a

1918 Peck flown registered air mail cover, Montreal to Toronto, franked with 5¢ Admiral and 2¢ War Tax Admiral. Cachets are dated JU.23.1918, but flight took place on JU.24 due to the weather. There were stops for gas at Kingston and Deseronto. Has Toronto, JU.24.1918 receiver on back. Only 124 pieces were flown, of which only a small percentage were registered. Flown in a Curtiss JN-4 “Canuch” aircraft. Opened at top. CV $2500 in Airmails of Canada.

Maybe you have hidden treasure. Contact us at info@sparks-auctions.com to discuss consigning.

 

The Stamp That Changed The World

Great Britain #1
Lot 801, Great Britain #1

The significant reduction of postal charges following the introduction of Penny Postage resulted in more — not less — revenue for the British Post Office, as written communications exploded in volume. This was one of the factors, along with the Industrial Revolution etc., which propelled Great Britain to its place of dominance among world powers in the mid-Nineteenth Century. Decades later, Prime Minister Gladstone described the 1840 Penny Black as “the stamp that changed the world.”

We offer a lovely unused example of the world’s first stamp as Lot 801. This is one item from a very strong collection of Great Britain stamps.

Introduction to Auction #8

We are pleased to introduce our eighth public auction, to take place over three days, June 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 2011.

Consignors have rewarded us with an overwhelming number of lovely stamps, collections, and carton lots. One result is that we can offer higher quality in our single lots and, as a consequence, more intact collections are offered than in previous auctions.

Lot 7 — Canada #2 used with target cancel

One consignor who entrusted us with his superb collection — Lot 7 is one example — did so as he believes Sparks Auctions is the best suited to ensure that future owners will enjoy and appreciate his treasures as much as he did.

The Canada and BNA sections are not only very close to complete by major Scott numbers but also from Victoria through George VI are reasonably complete for the varieties listed in the Unitrade Catalogue. The quality of these offerings is often outstanding. Many lots are rarities. In January 2009 we offered the discovery block of what is now listed as #270ii, this auction we offer the only known used single. Others offer intriguing quantities such as 172 of the possible 200 examples of #1359ii in 3 lots which together have the astounding catalogue value of $344,000. Browsing through our Canada and BNA section is more fun than reading a Neiman-Marcus catalogue.

Our British Commonwealth is strong and anchored by a wonderful Great Britain collection (and more parts of this collection can be found with the lots and collections section).

The worldwide section has strong USA, France, Germany and Offices/Colonies, and extensive North Vietnam. Individual rarities from Lombardy-Venetia, France, Spain, and Thailand will fill gaps in advanced collections. All the sections of this auction offering single stamps are stronger in quality and rarity than was found in our previous auctions.

The offerings of postal history as single covers, smaller lots, and the many cartons of covers range from the year 1459 (with Venetian Guild Mark) to modern day. Among the valuable single covers are Canada #10, 1918 flown registered envelope, two bisects of Nova Scotia, a Nova Scotia shilling and three one penny stamps to Australia and scarce Newfoundland including a Columbia flight cover. A broad range of Canada and worldwide are found in the cartons. Forty-nine lots of literature offer many out of print reference works.

Our lots and collections section is the most extensive by number of lots, variety, and especially bulk. Many valuable collections are found in the boxes of large envelopes and in seven bookcases filled with albums. From the point of view of bulk it is the 361 cartons (mostly bankers boxes) which physically dominate the auction.

Some 2700 scans are found in the image gallery on our website (sparks auctions.com) which is about three times the number in the catalogue. We will have extended viewing hours to accommodate viewers in this auction.

We hope you enjoy viewing this sale as much as we have enjoyed assembling and describing it.