Lot 3 Canada #3TC 1859-78 12d Queen Victoria “Scar” Trial Colour Die Proof, in deep vermilion, on horizontally ribbed bond paper, 0.003 in. thick, from the composite die proof. Large margins, huge at right and undoubtedly among the nicest examples existent, from our search of most of the important Pence name sales. A rare and desirable stamp. Unitrade CV C$8,500.
die proof
Still time to place bids
Our twentieth public auction takes place next week. The complete schedule can be seen at this page. There is plenty of time to place your bids by e-mail, telephone, fax, or on Stamp Auction Network.
Viewing
With many carton lots and collections in this sale, we have viewing sessions taking place today (February 26th), tomorrow and Monday. Times and details can be seen here.
Corrections & Updates
We are careful to make any addenda or corrections to our lot descriptions as they are brought to our attention. A complete listing is here on our website, and this information is shared with those who have bid on the lots, and is noted before the sale.
Opening Bids
If you click the Openings button on our listing at Stamp Auction Network, you will find that many lots open at $5. In our unreserved auction, this is the minimum increment we will accept for any lot. (In practice, the auctioneer will commence bidding on the auction floor at a level consistent with what the floor will immediately offer, usually $25-$30 even for unremarkable material.) A $5 opening indicates that there is at most one bid placed on the lot. A higher opening will only appear if there are two or more bids; the number shown is one increment over the underbid, not the top bid (which we do not disclose).
The openings can be an important tool in helping you plan your bidding. As of Friday noon, there are $5 minimums showing on two-thirds of the lots in the sale, but in fact there are fewer than one-third of the lots with no bids at all.
US Exchange
The Canadian dollar has recovered a bit against the US$, approximately US$1=C$1.35, but American customers will still find good value for their money in this sale. The exact exchange rate for US$ cash/cheque payments will be announced at the start of the sale, while credit card customers will have their invoices converted from C$ to US$ by their banks.
Auction #21 Consignments
There is a large volume of material on hand for our sale in May, but we can still accept small, easily-lotted consignments of single stamps, covers, sets, etc. Please let us know if you have something to offer, and make sure to get it to us by Monday, March 7th, 2016.
Good luck in the sale!
Lot 142 — Canada six cent Small Queen die proof
Lot 142 Canada 6c Small Queen trial colour die proof in black on India paper, 22x25mm, very fine. A rare proof, of which we record only four examples in black. This is a colour which shows the engraving at its best and is particularly prized by specialists. (Pratt 39TC5)
Estimate $5,000
Lot 180 — Canada eight cent slate grey Small Queen die proof
Lot 180 Canada 8c Small Queen large die proof in slate grey on India paper, 54x67mm, showing edge of die on all sides, fresh and attractive, with a few insignificant wrinkles described for strict accuracy, very fine. A rare die proof with only a handful known and especially desirable in the colour of issue (Minuse & Pratt 44DP1).
Provenance: Jack Weatherwax (private sale)
Estimate $10,000
Lot 56 — Canada 1872 two cent Small Queen die proof in dark red
Lot 56 Canada 1872 2c trial colour die proof in dark red on India paper, 19x24mm, fresh and very fine. A lovely and rare die proof with only a handful of examples extant, and especially attractive in this vibrant colour. Accompanied by 2013 Greene Foundation certificate. (Minuse & Pratt 36TC4)
Provenance: George Arfken (1990).
Estimate $5,000