Lot 1439 1929.NOV.4 First Day of Issue of Air Mail Stamps Flown Registered Cover, mailed from Park Street Calcutta to Leon Pont in London England, “by Imperial Airways / India – Great Britain”. The cover is franked with all five stamps issued on that day (the 2a was issued later), and has four different air mail labels plus a boxed “FIRST DAY / OF ISSUE OF / AIR MAIL STAMPS”, with Park Street registration label on back, plus an oval registration receiver dated NOV.20. The cover is signed on back by G. Grant (the designer of the stamps) and Stephen H. Smith. Small tear at top, into the 4a stamp and light edge wear at top, still very fine and desirable. From the Leon Victor Pont Collection of early India First Flight postal history. Estimate $2,500, sold for $2,400 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Sparks Auctions
Lot 157, Canada 1915 fifty cent black Admiral with two-line War Tax overprint, XF NH, sold for C$2,223
Lot 157 Canada #MR2D 1915 50c Black Admiral with Two Line WAR TAX Overprint, mint never hinged, very fresh and well centered, extremely fine. A very nice stamp. The 50c War Tax is an elusive stamp, and is rarely found in the superlative quality of the example from the Outaouais Collection. The Unitrade catalogue keeps increasing the NH premium factor for this stamp, and auction realizations for premium examples keep supporting a higher valuation. We expect that this lot will not be any different. Unitrade CV$2,000, sold for C$1,900 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 61, Collection of used Large Queens, superior group
Lot 61 Canada #21-30 Collection of Used Large Queens, with #21 (two unused with distinct shades), 22 (x3), 22a (showing “LL” of watermark), 23 (x2), 24b, 25 (three distinct papers and shades), 26, 27, 28 (x2), 29 (x2, one with corner crease) and 30 (x2, one with small thin). Unless otherwise noted, a superior group, with 14 fully dated stamps, some with socked on the nose postmarks and one with blue datestamp, overall fine to very fine and plus one on cover. From the Outaouais Collection. Scott CV$2,700
Lot 1111, group of four better early Canada Dead Letter Office covers
Lot 1111 Group of four Better Early D.L.O. Covers, including: #DLOS-1, maybe unique “3” in circle on Nov. 24, 1875 Chateauguay Basin, L.C. cover addressed to Canton, Massachusetts under franked 3c Small Queen with “OVER ½ OZ.” and “RETURNED FOR POSTAGE” auxiliary markings, sent to the Montréal D.L.O. where additional 3c stamp was added (cancelled JA 24, 1876 D.L.O. cds). From the Brian Plain Collection of Canadian Dead Letter Offices. This cover is illustrated on front page of Mr. Plain’s book The Dead Letter Office in Canada 1830-2002: An Illustrated Postal History, Second Edition. Next is a #DLO-5 “2” on back Hamilton Dec 2, 1879 cover; #DLO-9 “1” on back Hamilton JY 4, 1878 local cover. Diamond shape “1” on back alongside 2 different D.L.O. cds of an undeliverable 1891 Winnipeg large size cover and finally an oval D.L.O. Branch / P.O. Dept. Canada oval cds on Oct 7, 1895 red envelope to Boston, with D.L.O. cds on back alongside purple P.O. Inspectors; London, Ont. oval dated Jan 16, 1896. A fascinating group with three well described on exhibition pages. A few faults but overall very fine. Estimate $400.
Lot 54, Canada 1868 six cent dark brown Large Queen on watermarked paper with major re-entry, F-VF unused n.g., sold for C$2,340
Lot 54 Canada #27b, iii 1868 6c Dark Brown Large Queen on Watermarked Paper, with Major Re-Entry, unused (no gum), showing part of one letter of the watermark. The stamp also clearly shows the elements of the major re-entry from plate position 93. Pulled perf at bottom, still with deep rich colour and crisp impression and fine-very fine. This is the only known example of this combination of a watermarked stamp with this major re-entry, a must have for any serious collector. Accompanied by a 2005 Greene Foundation certificate. Finding an unused example of the 6c showing part of the Bothwell paper watermark is a rare occurrence, as there are likely ten or less in existence. The fact that one example exists with the major re-entry is quite exceptional. From the Outaouais Collection. Estimate $5,000, sold for $2,000 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
