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 14 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 next lot 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, sold for C$2,300.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Sparks Auctions
Lot 327, Canada 2015 recalled Hoodoos souvenir sheet and booklet, sold for C$321
Lot 327 Canada #2844, 2847a 2015 Recalled Hoodoos UNESCO Souvenir Sheet and Booklet, both showing the incorrect image for the Dinosaur National Park stamp, mint never hinged, very fine and popular. Unitrade CV$375, sold for C$275.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 769 Prescott 1858 Treadwell Stampless Cover by Steamer, sold for C$936
Lot 769 Prescott 1858 Treadwell Stampless Cover by Steamer, mailed Treadwell U.C JUN.16.1858 (manuscript double broken circle is the earliest recorded date, a few weeks after the post office opened) rated “3” handstamp to Cumberland (light receiver) through Ottawa. The cover was carried to Ottawa via the Steamer Phoenix (manuscript “Str Phoenix / JUN 17 / 58” on back) then back down river to Cumberland. Light aging, still rare and fine. Estimate C$150, sold for C$800.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 242, Canada 1929 fifty cent dark blue Bluenose imperf sheet margin pair, VF NH, sold for C$1,228
Lot 242 Canada #158 1929 50c dark blue Bluenose imperforate, a mint never hinged lower sheet margin horizontal pair, fresh and quite attractive, very fine. Only 250 pairs were produced. Unitrade CV$1,500, sold for C$1,050.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 492, People’s Republic of China, four set from 1965-67, overall VF NH, sold for C$994
Lot 492 People’s Republic of China #842/937 four sets from 1965 to 1967, mint never hinged, with Scott numbers 842-849, 917-918, 930-935 and 936-937. #918, 930 and 934 have a corner crease, some stamps have light bends, still overall very fine. Scott CV U$966, sold for C$850.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.