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Cantor Small Queens Collection — Prices Realized

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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 350Lot 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.

Lot 359 — Canada ten cent dull lilac rose Small Queen cover to Suez Arabia

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Lot 359Lot 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 350 — Canada 1877 registered Small Queen cover to England, rated 13 cents

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Lot 350Lot 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

Lot 478 — Canada 1925 one cent green Admiral experimental coil on cover, sold for $276

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Lot 478Lot 478 Canada #131iv 1925 1c green Admiral Experimental Coil on Cover, mailed at Toronto (George Lowe) to Akron, Ohio with a single franking of the short used Toronto experimental coil, tied by a Toronto Station A Winter Fair slogan machine cancel. Pressed-out crease at left and tiny tear upper right corner, still a very presentable example of this scarce franking. Unitrade CV$200, sold for $240 plus buyer’s premium.

Lot 1234 — Canada 1899 private post card, one cent numeral

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Lot 1234 front
Lot 1234 back
Lot 1234 Canada #75 Lovely Colour Illustrated 1899 Private Post Card, from the Dominion Radiator Company in Toronto, in bright silver, red and blue, depicting a sailing mast with flags spelling the word “SAFFORD”. Back illustrates the “Safford Florence” ornate radiator and lists the company’s services, etc in blue and red. Franked with a 1c QV Numeral tied by an RPO cancel, Port Hope squared circle receiver on message side. A stunning card, very fine and rare. Estimate $300.

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