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.

Lot 102, Canada 1870 three cent indian red Small Queen unused, sold for $13,225

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Lot 102Lot 102 Canada 1870 3c Indian red, perforated 12½, unused (no gum), with deep, rich colour and a wonderfully fresh example of this rare mint stamp. Fine-very fine. Accompanied by 1986 Greene Foundation certificate. (Unitrade 37d)

Only eight mint or unused examples of the 3c perf 12½ are recorded. Taking into consideration the lovely colour, perforations and overall “bloom” of this stamp, this example is arguably the second finest example, with only the ex-Dr. Clare Jephcott and Bill Simpson example being finer (which sold for $26,000+15% in 2014).

Provenance: Julian Smith (1986).
Unitrade CV$9,000, sold for $11,500 plus buyer’s premium.

Lot 227, Canada 1891-94 ten cent rose carmine SQ mint, sold for $4370

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Lot 227Lot 227 Canada 1891-94 10c rose carmine, mint, with sheet selvedge at top showing part of the plate imprint, perfectly centered among four large, even margins. Full original gum, never hinged. Extremely fine and desirable. Accompanied by 1990 and 2014 Greene Foundation certificates. (Unitrade 45a)

Our search for a finer never hinged example of the 10c value has failed to identify a stamp which rivals this stamp in terms of overall quality. This stamp is an absolute “must have” for the collector who is looking to assemble a collection of the finest stamps of Canada.
Unitrade CV$2,700, sold for $3,800 plus buyer’s premium.

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