Lot 694 1837 Merrickville Hand-Drawn Emergency Postmark, a folded letter (written by the postmaster, H. Smith) datelined March 22, 1837 mailed to Prescott, with free-frank at top right and postmaster’s initials lower left. There is a lovely hand-drawn double circle postmark on the front, which was drawn by the postmaster, presumably as he couldn’t find his regular double circle device, which was in use from 1832 and 1841. Very fine and unique. Estimate C$250.
Sparks Auctions
Lot 241, Canada fifty cent dark blue Bluenose, XF mint upper margin block of four
Lot 241 Canada #158 1929 50c Dark Blue Bluenose, a mint never hinged upper margin block of four, showing part of the plate imprint in margin. A lovely block which is quite fresh, all four stamps are wonderfully centered, extremely fine in all respects. Unitrade CV$2,800.
Lot 618, Canada 1898 ten cent blue green Special Delivery First Day Cover, Montréal flag cancel, earliest known
Lot 618 Canada #E1 1898 10c Blue Green Special Delivery First Day Cover, tied by JUL.1.1898 5pm Montréal Bickerdike flag cancel (very uncommon on special delivery mail) on 1c blue Queen Victoria stationery envelope (Webb EN6) paying the 1c printed matter rate (unsealed as was required, with pencil notation “found opened no contents fw”) plus 10c special delivery fee, fresh and very fine. July 1, 1898 was the first day the Special Delivery was offered in fourteen Canadian cities, including Montréal. The sender of this cover obviously recognized the importance of this occasion by preparing the two covers offered in this sale (see lot 619 for the other one). Prior to the discovery of the two covers offered in this sale, the earliest recorded use of this stamp was July 2, 1898. An exceptionally rare and important early first day cover, offered to the market for the first time 125 years after its date of issue. Estimate C$500.
Lot 179, Canada 1925 four cent yellow ochre Admiral dry printing, XF NH
Lot 179 Canada #110d 1925 4c Yellow Ochre Admiral, Dry Printing, mint never hinged, with deep rich colour and nicely centered among four large margins, extremely fine. A gorgeous stamp. Unitrade C$240.
Lot 397, New Brunswick 1860 five cent brown Connell, Fine unused
Lot 397 New Brunswick #5 1860 5c Brown Connell, Perforated 12, unused (no gum) with a straight edge at left, and the usual perforations associated with this unissued stamp, fine. Accompanied by a 1977 RPSL certificate. A very rare stamp missing from most collections. Unitrade CV$8,000.
