Auction #2 Complete

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We have finished calling Sessions 5 and 6 today. The number of lots we attempted in the scheduled time was perhaps more ambitious than the speed of bidding allows, and we thank all of our bidders (in person, on the telephone, and on the net) for their patience as we completed yesterday’s bidding after 11:30pm and today’s sessions at 9pm. The results, however, were very satisfying and we will be detailing some of the better realizations in the coming days.

Winning bidders should allow us some time on Monday to organize lots and prepare for shipping. For the moment, prices realized on Stamp Auction Network (link on the right) will give you a good idea of how you fared in the sale. We will contact you with your results either by e-mail or telephone as we organize the mailing. Local Ottawa pick-ups should wait at least until Tuesday, and call us to make sure we have your material ready.

Thanks to all of our bidders for a very successful auction!

Final Auction Notes

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We are pleased to see the level of interest in this auction. As we approach the start time for the first session, we have some final suggestions and advice for potential bidders:

• Check our latest summary of lot corrections and updates (the link is in the sidebar at the right). There are very few significant errors in lot descriptions, but small amendments may still help you change your bidding decisions.

• Use the opening bids (also linked in the sidebar) to help you fine tune your own bidding amounts. Opening bids are not the top bid, but rather one increment above the second highest bid we have received up to the moment. Lots that show $1 may have no bids, or only one bid on them at the moment.

• Bidders who still require approval to place advance bids and/or to receive an internet paddle number (enabling internet live bidding) should phone or e-mail us with your credit information. With less than 24 hours remaining before the first session, and an international clientele, we are unable to followup philatelic reference checks in time to get you registered if you are not known to us. Please note that registration is a two-step process: first, you must register with StampAuctionNetwork.com, and then you must choose Sparks Auctions as one of the firms where you wish to bid.

• Sparks Auctions Sale #2 begins at 10:00am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in Ottawa on June 6th, 2008. EDT is the same time zone as most of eastern North America (New York City, Toronto, etc.) and is five hours earlier than London England, or four hours earlier than UTC. For help in determining the difference between your local time and ours, see www.timeanddate.com/worldclock. We will do our best to keep to the schedule published in the catalogue and outlined in the Session Information, but you should also watch the live auction (via Stamp Auction Network) to see which lot is currently being called, when we are taking breaks etc.

Good Luck and thank you for your interest in Sparks Auctions!

Lot 2062 — Large Queen Collection of 680 Stamps

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Canada #21-30 1868-1875 Large Queen issue collection of 680 stamps, on stocksheets in binder with representation of each value in quantities ranging from 10 to 216. Overall the condition is quite nice and the collector apparently had an eye for stamps with good colour, above average centering and nice perforations. Generally fine with numerous F-VF and very fine stamps included. The collection is semi-sorted and identified but we noted some discrepancies (both good and bad). Very wide range of shades and papers included as well as cancels. We noted some 2-ring numerals, corks, cds and a few squared circle cancels. Includes (basic numbers) #21 (10, 3 are mint or unused), 22 (17), 23 (19), 24 (27), 25 (134), 26 (19 with many very attractive stamps), 27 (63), 28 (175) including an apparent imperf (faults and sold as is) and 29/30 (216) including a large number of early printing in red lilac and purple. A great opportunity for a collector who wants a significant number of stamps as a foundation for a specialized collection, or for the dealer who is looking to add an attractive group of Large Queen to his inventory. Click the scan above to go to our image gallery, which contains 25 page scans numbered 2062-2062x. Scott CV $47,715.

Lot 1379 — Canada 1998 45¢ Christmas Perf 13.1 x 13.6

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Canada #1764b 1998 45¢ Christmas Perf 13.1×13.6 , the scarce perforation variety. A fresh matched set of the four corners, 2 stamps in each block have a horizontal gum bend, which is visible on back but is not a crease as it does not show in fluid, very fine, never hinged. Unitrade: “Approximately 500 mint copies known, plate blocks are very rare.” Unitrade C$10,000.

Lot 1376 — Canada 42¢ Missing Hologram Sheet

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Canada #1442b 1992 42¢ Canada in Space missing hologram error, complete sheet of 20 stamps with missing hologram error on all 10 positions, very fine and never hinged. Accompanied by 2001 Richard Gratton AIEP certificate. A rare, striking and popular modern error. Unitrade C$25,000.

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