Lot 1223 Montreal (Type 3 Involute Flag) Trial, a pair of items cancelled during the third and last trial. First strike canceling 3c Small Queen cover to Toronto dated DEC 29 (19—0) 1896 and the second one is last reported hour of use on card dated JAN 4 (19—0) 1897. A scarce pair. From the Robert Heasman Collection of Early Canadian Machine Cancellations. Estimate $600, sold for C$750.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Sparks Auctions
Lot 1566, India 1929 Inland 2a Airmail sheet margin block of four on cover, sold for C$1,111
Lot 1566 India DEC.20.1929 First Day of Issue of Inland 2a Air Mail Stamp on Cover, franked with a sheet margin block of four, signed and dated in selvedge by G. Grant, the stamp’s designer. There is a double-boxed “DATE OF ISSUE / INLAND / AIR MAIL STAMP” on front, addressed to Stephen H. Smith in Calcutta, with his signature on back, alongside a same day receiver. Light stains, still scarce and very fine. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $300, sold for C$950.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1550, India 1925 de Pinedo World Flight, Calcutta to Melbourne, sold for C$1,345
Lot 1550 India 1925 de Pinedo World Flight, Calcutta to Melbourne, franked with a ½a and 1½a KGV definitives, with a red handstamp reading “Italian Consul General’s (Melbourne) letter of 12-11-25. / No. 750/11. / Calcutta to Melbourne by Seaplane, 13/5/1925.”. Back shows a purple cachet with map “ITALIAN / WORLD AIR / FLIGHT” (also another strike partly visible on front), with green initials of Stephen Smith and the president of the Aero Philatelic Club of India H.A. Outhwaite (these, apparently to prevent duplication). This is the right half of the cover only, as the 93 existing covers had all been intentionally cut in half, as they had been signed by de Pinedo after a promised charity donation had failed (the half with his signature are missing). Accompanied by a fairly contemporary article written on these interesting covers. This one is numbered 76 (out of 93), very fine and rare. See scans here. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $500, sold for C$1,150.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 924, People’s Republic of China 1963 Children’s Day Set, VF ng, sold for C$760
Lot 924 People’s Republic of China #684-695 1963 4f to 20f Children’s Day Set, Imperforate, unused (no gum, as issued), all in horizontal pairs, fresh and very fine. Scott U$800, sold for C$650.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1146, Canada, group of 55 three cent Large Queen franked covers, 1868-1870, sold for C$1,053
Lot 1146 Canada #25 Group of 55 3c Large Queen Franked Covers, 1868 to 1870, all but three are domestic mailings, with 50 single frankings and 5 double weight rates (three are franked with a pair and three are cross-border), all unchecked as per varieties, papers, shades, etc. A large variety of despatch offices, and great interest in postmarks including duplex, ring numerals (2-ring #s 5, 6, 7, 58), c.d.s., RPO, a WAY LETTER, NS grids, also noted an 1868 Barrie registered cover, a mourning cover and some advertising covers. Mixed condition, with faults to a varying degree to most of the covers (or stamps), still overall fine and well worth a close look. Estimate $500, sold for C$900.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.