Lot 116 Canada 37DP 1870 3c Small Queen Die Proof in Blue, on India paper measuring 26 x 31 mm, very fine and rare. Illustrated on the front of the hardcover edition of The Small Queens of Canada (Second Revised Edition) by John Hillson, and in H&N, page 30. From the John Hillson Collections. Estimate C$7,500.
die proof
Lot 619, Canada 1928 five cent brown olive Airmail large die proof, sold for C$920
Lot 619 Canada #C1DP 1928 5c brown olive Air MailLarge Die Proof, printed on a card measuring 229 x 153 mm in colour of issue, with “CANADA” and X-G-192″ inscriptions below image of stamp. Bottom of the card has a note in pencil reading “Do not give out die cancelled.” Rare. Estimate $750, sold for C$800.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Lot 314, Canada 1898 two cent Map die proof in black
Lot 314 Canada 1898 2c Imperial Penny Postage Map Die Proof in Black, printed on thin card, from the accepted black engraving (die F-139½). Very fine and rare. Accompanied by a 2007 Greene Foundation certificate. From the Robert Lunn Map Stamp Collection, Ex. Winmill, Boisclair, Fawn. Rsv. Estimate C$2,500.
Welcome to Sale 27
Once again, we are pleased to offer a varied and interesting sale, with tempting philatelic material for all collecting interests and budgets.
Highlights of Canada and British North America include a lovely mint Newfoundland collection, featuring an exceptional selection of fresh and very fine items, offered as individual lots. New Brunswick is also well represented with many plate proofs, including a rare full sheet of the storied Connell issue.
Small Queen enthusiasts will find well over 50,000 stamps on offer, from accumulations to specialized studies and postmark collections. We also offer a lovely and advanced collection of choice, used OHMS perforated Officials, offered primarily as single lots. High quality single stamps also abound.
Postal History continues to be strong, with over 500 lots on offer. We are pleased to feature the exceptional New Brunswick collection of George MacManus, as well as the eagerly-anticipated follow-up to the Ted Kerzner Canadian squared circle postmarks, a lovely collection of Canadian mail to and from France, over 40 lots of Canadian military postal history, and much more. We also offer a quality selection of postmarks, including many fancy cancels.
Worldwide stamps are presented in both single lots and county collections, with many highlights from seldom-offered countries and an array of specialized material. Of particular note is an advanced collection of Tibet, featuring many rarities and unusual items, as well as a further installment of the popular British Commonwealth perforated SPECIMEN stamps of the 1930s.
Sparks Auctions is always proud to offer a number of clean and useful postage lots. Many of these are “ready to use”, having already been sorted by denomination and are presented with complete inventories, saving the successful bidders many hours of organizing.
We also continue to offer an industry-leading selection of images online, with this sale having more than 4,000 individual high resolution scans. These images, including many of larger lots and collections, can easily be viewed at stampauctionnetwork.com. As always, Sparks Auctions will offer live internet bidding through the Stamp Auction Network platform, allowing collectors from around the world to enjoy the benefits of live-bidding during the sale.
We at Sparks Auctions take pride in our meticulous approach to philately, from our in-depth descriptions and careful lotting to our emphasis on high-resolution, detailed images. I would personally welcome the opportunity to discuss with you how Sparks Auctions can assist in the sale of your philatelic material.
Enjoy the sale!
Stéphane Cloutier
Director of Lotting & Consignments
Lot 622, Prince Edward Island 1870 four and a half pence Victoria die proof of vignette
This is the last in our week of highlights from the Crosby Collection.
Lot 622 Prince Edward Island #10DP Die Proof of Vignette for the 1870 4½d Issue, a lovely item, mounted on sunk-in card, with handstamp on back reading “British American Bank Note Co. Limited / Oct 1, 1951 / Ottawa, Ont.”. Rare, and none of the important P.E.I. auctions we have consulted had anything similar. Minuse & Pratt unlisted. From the Louis Sidney Crosby Collection of Prince Edward Island. Estimate C$1,000.