Lot 917 1867 Victoria BC to Nova Scotia Via Panama and the United States, franked with a perforated 5c rose British Columbia issue (Scott #5) paying the Colonial domestic rate, tied by an oblong oval “Post Office / Victoria Vancouver Island / Paid” in blue. The cover was forwarded to San Francisco (arrived there SEP.30) and franked with a 5c Jefferson and 10c Washington, both tied by cogwheel cancels, the rate necessary for the rest of the voyage, which consisted in travelling south in a closed packet by steamer to Panama, where it would have crossed by rail to the Atlantic side, took another steamer to New York, and then on to its destination. The back shows three datestamps: Amherst NS (OCT.23.1867), Pugwash (OCT.24) and finally Wallace receiver (OCT.24). According to Robson Lowe, the entire trip was of 6,455 miles (sea distance). Small faults to two of the stamps, still a very fine and rare cover, the only one we have seen with this exact franking to the Maritimes. A similar cover to Nova Scotia (with same US franking but with a 2½d imperforate) recently sold for US$35,000. From a recent find by a descendant of the addressee, therefore on the market for the first time ever. Estimate C$2,500.
panama
Lot 841, Great Britain 1865 Folded Letter From Scotland to Chile Via Panama
Lot 841 Great Britain #48 1865 Folded Letter From Scotland to Chile Via Panama, mailed at Dundee OCT.16.1865 and franked with a pair of Scott #48 (1sh green QV issues) from plate 4, positions AC and AD. Has a nice Panama transit datestamp on front and no Chile receiver, but red London transit on back of OCT.17. Horizontal fold on front and some white paper adhered to the back, otherwise very fine and attractive. Scott CV U$625.
Lot 811, Panama 1918-20 Canal pictorial die proofs from ABNCo, sold for $3680
Lot 811 Panama 214P-216P, 218P-219P 1918-20 12c to 1b Canal Pictorial Set of Large Die Proofs, with the five issues, from the American Bank Note Company, each in the colour of issue and die sunk on cards measuring 225 x 150 mm. All have the die number and company name just below the design, and the low value only has the company name. All have a pencil number at bottom right. A very fine, rare and attractive set. Estimate C$1,000, sold for C$3,200 plus buyer’s premium.