Lot 1025 Canada #5 1862 17c Cartier on cover to Bourges France, mailed from Montreal on JAN.10.1862 (duplex) and addressed to Bourges, France, through London (JAN.25) entered France at Calais (JAN.25), then by train to Bourges (JAN.26 receiver). Carried by the Allan Line Norwegian. This is interestingly one of the only nine covers franked with the correct 17c rate to France, as listed in Arfken and Leggett’s Canada’s Decimal Era, 1859-1868, even though this rate was in effect from July 1, 1859 to 1870. There is a small internal tear in the centre of the front side, still a rare franking and an appealing cover. Valued at $1,000 in Firby’s The Canadian Posted Letter Guide. Estimate $500, sold for C$800.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Sparks Auctions
Lot 1193, Collection of Type II Ontario strikes on stamps, sold for C$2,645
Lot 1193 Collection of Type II Ontario Strikes on stamps, on pages in three thick albums, displayed alphabetically from Acton to Wooler (no Toronto), with about 125 different towns represented. Towns may have from one to four stamps, each with fine to very fine, often socked on the nose strikes. There are a total of 233 items included and we have counted multiples as one. We note earliest and latest reported dates, indicia errors and usages on Small Queens, Jubilees, QV to Admirals or later, with uncommon denominations such as 7c and 10c Edward, 5c and 10c Numeral, etc, often unrecorded. There are many better towns or scarce usages included and we have only scanned a few items and a list of about 50 of the most noteworthy. We still recommend viewing, as there are many very nice items here.
Estimate $1,500. Sold for C$2,300.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1139, COLEMAN ONT. Squared Circle on 3c Small Queen, with extensive background correspondence, sold for C$1,150
Lot 1139 COLEMAN ONT. squared circle, a partial but strong strike on a 3c Small Queen stamp. RF 220 with three strikes on stamp and two strikes on cover recorded by Kerzner. Accompanied by interesting provenance ephemera, including a 1986 receipt from F.E. Eaton & Sons to Jim Hennok for $4,000, plus four letters (1959 to 1964) between Dr. Whitehead (Letter 1; Letter 2: Page 1, Page 2) and Major Carstairs (Letter 1; Letter 2: Page 1, Page 2) discussing this stamp as well as other squared circles. A most desirable and fascinating lot. Estimate $1,000, sold for C$1,000.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Lot 641, Lovely New Brunswick collection on quadrille pages, sold for C$1,207
Lot 641 New Brunswick #1/11, a lovely collection, all written-up on 11 quadrille pages, with mint (including NH) and used stamps, a reprint, proofs, forgeries, shades, imprints, varieties (including elongated earring), blocks, postmarks, etc. Should easily catalogue over $5,000. We have scanned all the pages and viewing is recommended to better appreciate the quality and value of this collection. (Page 1) (Page 2) (Page 3) (Page 4) (Page 5) (Page 6) (Page 7) (Page 8) (Page 9) (Page 10) (Page 11) Estimate $1,000, sold for C$1,050.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1004, 1879 letter mailed from Montana to Ottawa, important history, sold for C$2,185
Lot 1004 1879 letter mailed from Fort Benton, Montana Territory on NOV.28.1879 (purple octagonal star duplex, used for less than one year, ties a 3c Washington stamp) to Henry J. Morgan in Ottawa (DEC.9 receiver). The 4 page letter inside is datelined 5 days earlier “Fort Walsh, 23rd Nov 1879” and was written by Morgan’s brother William, an early constable of the North West Mounted Police (regimental #191), who is describing the difficulties of living and working at Fort Walsh. He writes “I am now on the most dangerous duty chopping wood with another, five miles from the Fort. Of course we carry our rifles revolvers chuck full, but we are just as liable to be shot in the back, as poor Graham was. If you know the boy’s people you can tell them that every man here longs to avenge him – and aim to on the first opportunity…” he goes on “I want to get out of this Fort, for in plain English it is the damndest fraud ever perpetrated on the people of Canada…”. Henry Morgan, upon having received the letter forwarded it to Sir John A. Macdonald writing on the cover “Dear Sir John, Please return when you have read this” and the back of the cover has the reply “Dear Morgan, Thanks – your brother appln came I have got his discharge. (signed) JAMD”. The online Mounted Police database (LAC) reveals that he was discharged on June 17, 1881. Fort Walsh was intended to curb the illegal whiskey trade, protect Canada’s nearby border with the United States, and aid with native policy. It served as the NWMP headquarters from 1878 to 1882. Historically important. Estimate $1,000 sold for C$1,900.00 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
