Lot 1214 Montreal (Type 1-1 Ensign Flag), dated MAR 23 (11-0) tying 1c Small Queen strip of three on cover (missing backflap) addressed to H.E. Waite, one of the co-inventors of the first Imperial canceling machines. Only 2 reported usages on this day, and the only known cover (the other one is a card). Ex. Larry Paige. From the Robert Heasman Collection of Early Canadian Machine Cancellations. Estimate $1,000, sold for C$1,600.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1349, A Superior Collection of Fancy Cancels on Large Queen stamps, sold for C$1,989
Lot 1349 A Superior Collection of Fancy Cancels on Large Queen Stamps, all displayed on seven black stock sheets plus another 23 dealer 105 cards. The collection includes about 190 stamps, with a very wide range of different cancels on different denominations, way to many to list, so all are scanned online. We note better items such as a pair of deep blue 15c on thicker paper, very fancy geometrics, “PREPAID BY PUBLISHER”, mail bag seals, a CANADIAN PKT datestamp, crosses, leafs, stars, an OFFICIAL Hechler overprint, RRY cancels just to name a few. Many sought after cancels in this one, mostly choice strikes, as well as more common, and fairly mixed, but would look nice all sorted, see scans online. About one third of the stamps are identified by the owner and overall fine. Estimate $1,200 sold for C$1,700.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1970, Italian Colonies mint and used collection, sold for C$1,404
Lot 1970 Italian Colonies Mint and Used Collection, with a very nice mainly mint collection of Eritrea, Somalia, Cyrenaica and Libya on Scott and Minkus pages. Somalia is noteworthy with good showing of the high value Elephant and Lion set with various overprints, the complete Manzoni Set of 1924 (Scott# 61-66 MH CV $465), the complete Italy definitives of 1926-30 (Scott # 83-96 MH CV $416), Victor Emmanuel 1,25lira (Scott # 69a, perf 11 MH CV $800), 1929 Monte Casino complete set used (Scott # 101-110 CV $180), St Anthony of Padua complete set, used (Scott #129-135 CV $131), Duke of Abbruzzi complete set (Scott #156-163 MH CV $128), the almost complete semi-postals including the Victor-Emmanuel set (Scott B38-51 MH CV $279) and complete air post Scott #C1-16 MH and used CV $199), Eritrea is also very well represented, we noted Scott #32 MH CV $175 and the almost complete semi-postals among much else of interest. Stamps and sets from Libya, Cyrenaica and Oltre Giuba complete this lot. Very fine throughout, see our scans online. ex-Jack Gray Collection. Estimate $800, sold for C$1,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Sparks Auctions & COVID-19
We thought it was important to touch base with our customers and let you know what is happening at Sparks in light of the coronavirus situation.
While our offices in Ottawa, Canada are temporarily closed to the public, we are monitoring phone messages at 613-567-3336 and can be reached by e-mail.
Sparks Auctions will rely on Ottawa Public Health for advice as the presence of COVID-19 develops internationally and within Canada including our city. We urge our local customers to keep informed and visit Ottawa Public Health, Public Health Ontario, and the Public Health Agency of Canada for the latest information. Local Québec customers should consult Santé Québec for details on travel to and from Ontario.
We are fortunate that our auction system makes it easy for potential bidders to view and bid remotely. The situation is evolving rapidly, but we are following it closely and we will make further announcements on our website and mailing list as things progress. Our next sale, originally scheduled for May 28th-30th, 2020, has been postponed.
We are proud of the healthy role that our shared hobby can play during difficult times, and we thank you for your business.
Lot 197, Canada 1888 two cent blue green Small Queen, VF o.g., sold for C$210
Lot 197 Canada #36ii 1888 2c blue green Small Queen, mint with full original gum, hinged. A well centered, large margin example of this scarcer shade, very fine and fresh. Unitrade CV$150, sold for C$180.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.