Daniel Cantor Small Queens

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.

Cantor Small Queens Collection — Prices Realized

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Sale 19, The Daniel Cantor Collection of Canada Small Queens, concluded yesterday about 6:00pm EST. A busy floor of collectors and agents was joined by a very active contingent of internet and phone bidders to create a truly dynamic sale. As a result, we saw some terrific realizations as well as what are certain to be many record prices. (The Prices Realized can be downloaded from this link.)

We will feature the highlights in subsequent posts here on our site, but here is a tremendous result to get started:

Lot 350Lot 350 1877 13c pre-UPU registered letter rate cover to England, franked with a 5c olive green and an 8c blue RLS, both tied by straightline REGISTRATION handstamps, paying the pre-UPU 5c preferred rate plus 8c registration fee. Mailed from Goderich, Ont. (neat JUN.8.1877 inner broken circle) to London, England (June 23 receiver) through Toronto and Lothbury. Also a red crown Registered cancel on front. A very clean cover, with clear postmarks and one of only 16 known franked with an 8c RLS. Rare and very fine. (Unitrade 38, F3)

Eight cent registered letter stamp covers are rarities of the highest calibre, with only 16 covers having been recorded with the 8c RLS used for its intended purpose. Of these 16 covers, many have faults or are otherwise unattractive. The cover offered here is in absolute pristine condition, unlike any other 8c RLS covers and graced the collections of multiple illustrious collectors. One of the key items from the Cantor collection and one of the most important Small Queen covers to England.

Provenance: Bill Simpson (1980), “November” collection (1994), S.J. Menich (2000), William H. Gross (2009).
Estimate $15,000, sold for $29,900 with buyer’s premium. This is believed to be the highest price ever for a Small Queen on cover.

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