Fast Communications

In past features we have remarked on the large number of cartons filled with stamps which visually dominate the auction and viewing floor. Most of these are filled with albums, collections, or even loose stamps, but approximately five dozen contain envelopes or postcards. And many of these postal history cartons will contain interesting items, perhaps even gems.

Today we feature two non-Canadian covers. First up is the cover we think will likely sell for the highest price in the postal history section.

Newfoundland #C5 Cover
Lot 1281 -- Newfoundland #C5 Cover

Newfoundland #C5 50c on 36c olive green Columbia flight on cover, tied by St. Johns SE.25.1930 slogan machine cancel to cover addressed to Pulborough, England via London. Notation at top states “Per Air Mail Columbia Hr Grace Nfld to London, England Sept 1930”. Back has a Harbour Grace dispatch cds OC.9.1930 and pencil notation “Guaranteed in every aspect by Geo. C. Ginn & Co. Small piece missing at bottom, very fine with fresh colour. Unitrade CV$17,500.

It interests us to note that when we first posted Auction #8 on our website and sent out an e-mail to Sparks customers, one sharp-eyed collector across the Atlantic noticed this lot and alerted yet another collector, who owns a Columbia Cover with some handwriting. Within about three hours of posting the auction, we had an e-mail from the overseas owner of another Columbia cover asking about our offering.

Our Canadian covers include a number of wonderful items that could be featured, but we’ll show off a letter in a remarkable state of preservation despite being more than 550 years old.

Fiume-Venice cover
Lot 1346 -- Fiume Venice cover

1459 Fiume to Venice, an entire letter mounted on Exhibit page from the Free City of Fiume to Venice with seal (shows through slightly in front) and full Guild mark. Very fine. A lovely early document which dates back to more than 550 years ago. Estimate $500.