die proof

Introduction to Auction #4

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Our fourth public auction is now posted at StampAuctionNetwork.com.

This sale offers, especially in the Canada section, an exceptionally strong showing.  The first issues of the province of Canada have nice quality and are comprehensive.  The pence issues on laid paper are represented with singles and a pair of the three pence and six pence as well as a rare Die Proof of the twelve pence.  We can offer a six pence with original gum printed on wove paper, a rarity from the General Gill collection.  The other pence values are offered as single lots, usually in fine or better quality, as well as in lots in the average quality more usually found in many collections.

There are a number of interesting and selected lots in the Large and Small Queen sections. We note in particular a never hinged ten cent value from the Montreal printings.   Many advanced collectors have had this on their want lists for years.

The offering of 1897 Jubilees and other Victorian issues continues the Sparks Auctions trend of offering more quantity and quality with every auction. Edwards, QuÈbecs, especially Admirals and later issues through George VI will help collectors fill in gaps in their collections.

Queen Elizabeth era stamps start in spectacular fashion with a block of the Inverted Seaway.  The later varieties and errors are very very strong indeed.  The lots of back of the book stamps will excite many with the opportunity to buy 5-hole OHMS perfins, and rare revenues including overprint varieties.

British North America offers rarities such as the $1 British Columbia, PEI #2, Newfoundland classics and ending with the spectacular block of the inverted overprint on the Halifax airmail.

British Commonwealth is headlined by the full pane of the Great Britain 1883 6d on 6d overprint.  Interesting and scarce items and a few nice collections are found throughout this section.

The worldwide section offers 50 lots of USA as well as many lovely items, complete sets and unusual varieties not often found.

Postal History offers many lots as well as selected individual items such as a ten penny Cartier with a circular dated postmark and the very scarce Officially Sealed on blue paper.

Lots and collections again fill our 32 bookcases.  This auction the number which are in the higher price ranges is increased; while we still offer budget-priced cartons of fun.  Viewing will allow interested buyers to see the full value.

Our Next Sale

Already, in the one and a half weeks since we finished describing this sale, four new consignments have arrived.  A collection of Large Queens from Australia, a suitcase from an estate, a strong collection of Switzerland including postal history, and miscellaneous items including a previously unknown major Canadian error give us a good start on Auction 5.

We solicit your consignment for our next sale.  All material which is in our hands by August 31 will be included for a sale we hope to be able to schedule for late October.

VIEWING  

Saturday June 6th, 2009    10:00 am to 5:30 pm  
Saturday June 13th    10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Monday June 15th    10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Tuesday June 16th    10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Wednesday June 17th    10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Canada #J5 Die Proof

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Today we begin our previews of the better material being prepared for our January auction. We will have one new lot every weekday for the rest of November.
Canada 1928 10¢ violet First Postage Due Large Die Proof, 59x54mm die sunk on large card measuring 228x151mm. The 10¢ value was not issued until July 3 1928. Only 12 of these were in the ABN Archives sale. Estimate $1000

Lot 1340 — Canada #320DP

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Canada #320DP 1953 Composite Die Proof. We surmise it is the work of an apprentice working with lines and shading to produce sketches and two vignettes, one of a weaving loom and the other which resembles a progressive Die Essay similar to the 1952 Canada goose stamp without Canada or denomination. If our analysis is correct it leaves open the question of whether the goose is a progressive Die which was impressed onto the working surface as a guide for the apprentice. The fact that the image has been defaced supports this hypothesis. The other possibility is that the apprentice copied the stamp. It is dated June 23, 1953. In any event a Die Proof was pulled. As a Die Proof with both philatelic and other images from an engraver, this might well be unique to Canadian philately. Ex. Bruce Hay estate, fine-very fine and a fascinating item. Estimate $6000.

Introduction to Auction 2

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The overwhelming first impression of this sale is its sheer physical size; hundreds of albums in rows on shelves; many storage units filled with cartons which are in turn filled with collections, postcards, envelopes, stamps in bundles, stamps organized in glassines, "102" cards, stockbooks, Post Office new issues, postal artifacts, and more stamps. We have spent hundreds of hours describing these lots – and we have described them fairly and in a consistent manner. The overall quality is quite high for this great mass of philatelic collectibles that are the property of several dozen estates and collections.

Some of the bulk lots have a retail value well in excess of $10,000, others are estimated to be worth less than the cost of shipping. Most fall somewhere in between. We do know that thorough viewing will be rewarded because there will be hidden treasures.

While the body of the auction occupies hundreds of square feet, its heart is in the vaults – interesting postal history, superb stamps, items that are scarce, rare or even unique, valuable stamps and covers are found throughout the catalogue.

We make special note of some exceptional items in each session:

The exceptional collection of South West Africa has many rarities. A personal favourite is the used 10/- block from the first setting with two WESi errors. The Sparks catalogue will serve as a reference for the scarce items for decades to come. The rest of British Africa is of interest with Mafia Island and East Africa among the features.

The Second session has a number of lots with essays, proofs and other artwork for stamp issues which are both fascinating and very rare, often unique.

The Canada and BNA sessions have numerous exceptional lots. Lovely Pence issues are complemented by the interesting group of half-pennys which include a pair and two lots with an imperforate and perforated half-penny with the same major re-entry. The Large Queen section of 61 lots is strong with mints, blocks and re-entries and includes what is believed to be the largest mint multiple of the watermarked Three cent value. The Small Queens through to the Quebecs offer many stamps of exceptional quality as well as interesting items for the specialist. The 68 lots of the Admiral Issue will fill many holes for discriminating collectors who have been searching for just the right stamp for their collection.

Large Die Proofs and great rarities are featured in the later KGV and QEII Issues. We note a missing hologram full sheet, a very rare imperforate between booklet, the Missing Moose, and the 1998 Christmas perf change matched set of plate blocks. The Registration issues include lovely re-entries and a strong Precancel section is high-lighted by an Amherst on the 4¢ Admiral.

Nova Scotia features a mint #1 and a superb three penny. One of the most exceptional items in the sale is a mint Newfoundland two penny scarlet vermilion, very fine with huge margins.

Session Five has wonderful postal history, much of it from collector/dealer Roger Greer’s collections of Nova Scotia. Several lovely pence and 1859 covers are highlighted by a ten penny cover; a ten cent rate to Sweden and a gorgeous six penny cover are highlights of the Large Queens. British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia all have at least one cover waiting for a Gold Medal Exhibit.

Newfoundland has a magnificent De Pinedo cover, a Columbia cover and a diagonally bisect eight penny cover. Over 350 lots of foreign covers, cover lots and postcards have numerous items awaiting a place in your collection.

We have referred elsewhere to the Sixth Session of lots and collections. One collection of Large Queens has a catalogue over $47,000. We invite you to view this and to note how few stamps have short perfs. A similar story can be told many, many times for the 486 lots in this session.

Sparks Auction #2 — June 6th & 7th, 2008

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We are pleased to announce the dates for our second auction. It will be held on Friday June 6th and Saturday June 7th, 2008.

The auction offers nearly 2000 lots in Commonwealth, WorldWide, Canada, Postal History and Lots & Collections. Highlights include SouthWest Africa, Mafia Island and East Africa, lovely pence issues of Canada and B.N.A., Large and Small Queens, rarities and die proofs from King George VII and Queen Elizabeth II, back of the book and provinces, postal history (especially Nova Scotia), and featuring a magnificent De Pinedo cover of Newfoundland and a very large volume of lots and collections that despite the sheer size does not sacrifice quality.

We will use this space in the coming weeks to detail specific lots and tell more stories about the terrific items in this sale.

The catalogue is now at the printer and is expected to arrive back in our offices for mailing during the week of May 12th. We will have the catalogue PDF files on our site by that date as well, with the complete supplementary image galleries later in the same week. The auction will also appear on Stamp Auction Network for bidding soon after.

Please contact us if you would like to receive a copy of the printed catalogue, if you want to register to bid, or with any other questions.

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