Lot 23 Canada 1882 ½c black Small Queen on whitish paper, mint horizontal pair, imperforate between. An exceptionally very well centered pair, with large even margins all round, full original gum, hinged. Our research indicates that this is the best centered pair in existence. Accompanied by a 1986 Greene Foundation certificate. Extremely fine. (Unitrade 34b)
Unitrade CV$1,500
small queen
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 359 — Canada ten cent dull lilac rose Small Queen cover to Suez Arabia
Lot 359 Canada 1878 10c UPU letter rate cover to Arabia, franked with a 10c dull lilac rose, tied by a duplex cancel, paying the 10c double weight UPU letter rate. Mailed from Toronto (OCT.15.1878) to Suez, Arabia (receiver on back) via London (Oct. 28 transit in red), Alexandria, Egypt (transit on back). A lovely and fresh cover, slightly reduced at left, very fine. (Unitrade 40)
An exceptional cover in all aspects, from the light cancel on the stamp, the overall fresh “bloom,” to the exotic destination where it was sent. The only recorded solo use of the 10c value to Arabia (Egypt) and arguably amongst the finest and most important usages of the 10c value on UPU covers. Based on an unpublished census of 10c covers, this is also the earliest UPU rate cover bearing a 10c stamp.
Provenance: Unknown collector, Sissons auction (1976).
Estimate $5,000
Lot 136 — Canada 1890 five cent grey Small Queen, mint
Lot 136 Canada 1890s 5c grey, mint with sheet selvedge at top showing partial plate imprint. Perfectly centered among four large and even margins, with full original gum, never hinged. Truly a remarkable stamp and extremely fine. Accompanied by a 2014 Greene Foundation certificate.
Unitrade CV$900