Lot 389 Canada #29, 35 1872 Pre-U.P.U. Large Queen plus Small Queen combination cover to Bavaria, mailed from Montréal on JAN.5.1872 to Munich, Bavaria, with JAN.19 receiver on back, through London (JAN.17) and Calais (JAN.18). The cover is franked with a 1c Small Queen and a 15c Large Queen (replaced) paying the proper 16c per first ¼ oz rate, in effect from Feb. 1870 to Oct. 1872. Back flap missing, still an attractive and very fine appearing cover. Estimate C$250, sold for C$2,400.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Calais
Lot 1025, Canada 1862 seventeen cent Cartier on cover from Montréal to Bourges France, sold for C$920
Lot 1025 Canada #5 1862 17c Cartier on cover to Bourges France, mailed from Montreal on JAN.10.1862 (duplex) and addressed to Bourges, France, through London (JAN.25) entered France at Calais (JAN.25), then by train to Bourges (JAN.26 receiver). Carried by the Allan Line Norwegian. This is interestingly one of the only nine covers franked with the correct 17c rate to France, as listed in Arfken and Leggett’s Canada’s Decimal Era, 1859-1868, even though this rate was in effect from July 1, 1859 to 1870. There is a small internal tear in the centre of the front side, still a rare franking and an appealing cover. Valued at $1,000 in Firby’s The Canadian Posted Letter Guide. Estimate $500, sold for C$800.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Lot 850, USA 1867 one cent Franklin & ten cent green Washington pair, on cover New York to Naples, Italy
Lot 850 United States 1867 #63, 68 10c green Washington Pair and 1c blue Franklin to Naples, endorsed “per City of Baltimore”. Stamps with deep fresh colour, tied by segmented corks and New York Nov 23 c.d.s. and PD to destination. Received in Calais on Dec 5 and with Napoli Dec 9 backstamp. Right stamp has a few short perfs and cover with a horizontal crease, else very fine and a colourful cover. Estimate C$150.
Lot 1304 — 1847 stampless Transatlantic letter from Quebec to Normandy, sold for $345
Lot 1304 1847 Stampless Transatlantic Letter Quebec to Upper Normandy France, rated with script “55” notation. Handstamped with multiple PAID markings. Contents indicate the letter was drafted on 18.DEC.1846. It bears no Canadian postmarks, but shows clear Manchester JA.18.1847 double split-ring and PAID 19 JA 19 1847 cds of London. From thence it travelled to Calais (20.JANV.47), Abbeville (21.JAN.47), and finally its destination in Upper Normandy (Seine Inférieure). The contents indicate the letter was written by the Mother Superior of the Canadian Branch of the “Chanoinesses régulières hospitalières de la miséricorde de Jésus,” a French Catholic religious order. The letter includes three pages of contents, almost entirely readable. An attractive item, in very fine condition, and of historical interest. Estimate $200, sold for $300 plus buyer’s premium.