Lot 472 Canada #F3 1876 8c blue Registration Stamp, a used single with two strikes of a LONDON / PAID c.d.s. receiver in red dated DEC.10.1875, fine. Harrison states on page 293 that the 8c RLS stamps were available by October 1875, but that none are known used before March 2, 1876, so this is a major discovery. To put it in perspective, the earliest recorded 2c RLS is dated DEC.13.1875. A rare and desirable stamp which also happens to show part of the counter “8” at top. From the Azilda Collection. Estimate $500, sold for C$6,000.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium. (See more in the January 30th issue of Canadian Stamp News.)
London
Lot 1184, LONDON E.C. 1890 squared circle type 3 on stationery card to Chaux de Fond Switzerland
Lot 1184 LONDON E.C. (Experimental) squared circle, a very fine strike of Type 3 (Figure 69 on page 281 of Handbook) dated AX / OC 30 / 90 on an uprated stationery card to Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, with receiver on front. The Handbook only reports one other strike (dated OC 1 / 91) so this could be one of only two known. Very fine, quite rare and desirable. Estimate $500.
Lot 1032, France/Canada 1877 folded letter Paris to Québec City through London
Lot 1032 France #12 1877 pre-UPU France to Canada redirected, a folded letter mailed from Paris (Place de la Bourse JUL.5.1877) to Québec City (JAN.20 receiver on back) through London (JUL.6 PAID transit on front, plus an orange crayon “1d”). The letter was then forwarded to Rivière du Loup en Bas, by adding a 3c Small Queen, tied by a Québec duplex on JUL.20. The letter was finally received there on the same day. A lovely three-colour, dual country franking on a folded letter (no letter inside), with a vertical crease and tear at top, both not affecting the stamps or the pleasing visual aspect. Letters are scarce to rare from France to Canada in this period, and this one is no exception, especially with its added interest. Estimate $1,500.
Lot 678, Newfoundland 1932 Dornier DO-X flight cover St. John’s to London, sold for $460
Lot 678 Newfoundland #C12 1932 DORNIER DO-X Flight Cover, mailed from St Johns on MAY.19.1932 (slogan machine) and addressed to London, England, franked with a Newfoundland #C12 (light toning on perfs). An attractive and scarce cover, very fine. Unitrade CV$500, sold for C$400 plus buyer’s premium.
Cantor Small Queens Collection — Prices Realized
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 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.