Sparks Auctions

Lot 1283, Montreal 1902 Experimental Machine cancels, fifteen items, sold for C$1,228

by

Lot 1283, Montreal 1902 Experimental Machine cancels, fifteen items, sold for C$1,228Lot 1283 Montreal (1902 Experimental Machine), with 15 items, including X2a; X1 (x4); X4 (x3); X5 or similar (x4); and 2 “Mystery Machines” (see scan). We note a 5c Numeral cover to Austria, illustrated advertising covers and cards, a 5c Leaf UPU card to France, etc. A rare occasion to acquire such a large lot of these fascinating and elusive postmarks. From the Robert Heasman Collection of Early Canadian Machine Cancellations. Estimate $500, sold for C$1,050.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.

Lot 1339, Extensive collection of 2-ring numerals on Large Queen Stamps, sold for C$1,579

by

Lot 1339, Extensive collection of 2-ring numerals on Large Queen Stamps, sold for C$1,579Lot 1339 Extensive Collection of 2-Ring Numerals on Large Queen Stamps, all neatly organised on four double-sided black stock sheets. There is a total of 243 stamps with all the 2-ring numbers represented except nos. 16, 17, 20, 37, 42. There is duplication, but almost always on different denominations, shades or papers, and there is a detailed spreadsheet accompanying the lot which lists every number and which stamps are included. A good proportion of the strikes are easily readable, but some are not, for example the 2-ring 50, and others. Overall nice quality lot, and careful examination is recommended to better appreciate the value of the collection, as it contains many valuable stamps and postmarks. Estimate $1,000, sold for C$1,350.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.

Lot 1585, India 1933 Mount Everest Survey Flight covers, sold for C$1,053

by

Lot 1585 India APR.8.1933 First Mount Everest Survey Flight Covers, with a small 1a3p stationery cover and a larger cover franked with a 1a and a 3p definitives, both addressed to Calcutta. Both have the special Union Jack flag label prepared for the occasion and the large fancy cachets in purple (large cover has a second strike on back). Both covers have been damaged by humidity, mostly affecting the addressee ink on the small cover and the label on the large cover (partially coming off) and there is overall staining, still scarce, with only 87 covers flown. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $200, sold for C$900.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.

Lot 1572, India 1931 Calcutta to Port Darwin Australia Flight Cover, sold for C$1,462

by

Lot 1572, front of India 1931 Calcutta to Port Darwin Australia Flight Cover, sold for C$1,462Lot 1572, back of India 1931 Calcutta to Port Darwin Australia Flight Cover, sold for C$1,462Lot 1572 India APR.3.1931 Calcutta to Port Darwin Australia Flight Cover, franked with a pair of ½a and a single 1a KGV pictorial definitives, plus an Australian 2d stamp tied by Darwin c.d.s. dated APR.24. The cover has a purple cachet depicting a lion and “BRITISH FLIGHT / ENGLAND – AUSTRALIA” plus the pilot names. Also a violet “DETAINED TILL 5th APRIL / ENGINE OVERHAULED” handstamp on front. Back shows two Park Street Calcutta c.d.s. dated APR.3 and MAY.25 alongside Stephen Smith signature. Very fine, with only 43 items flown. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $300, sold for C$1,250.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.