Lot 291 India 1865, 6a purple, cancelled with “B/1” octagon and blue “F.Casella & Co / Calcutta” merchant marking, to Naples, Italy, endorsed “per Str. Nubia” and “via Alexandria & Brindisi, Alexandria (6 Sep) transit c.d.s. on front, backstamped Calcutta Paid (3 Aug), Brindisi, and Napoli, reduced slightly at left, but a scarce franking. (S.G. 66) Estimate C$400-600, sold for C$1,450 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Our Spring 2025 Postal History sale is over, and you can find Prices Realized at this link.
Invoices were sent out the afternoon of Friday, April 4th by e-mail, please contact us if you were expecting an invoice and did not receive one. Local customers please note that we will be coordinating appointments for those who wish to pick up their lots. If you would rather have your lots shipped to you, please e-mail or call us.
Our Mailing List is always the best way to find out the schedule of future auctions, updates, and other information about Sparks Auctions.
Our First Postal History auction takes place tomorrow!
Lot 30 Canada 1925 (October 24), Sifto Salt full-back advertising cover, franked with 3c carmine Admiral, Die II, tied to cover by Saskatoon slogan cancel, superb full-back colour illustrated advertisement for “Sifto” Iodine Salt, for household purposes and “for prevention of goitre”, the odd trivial wrinkle, lovely and very fine. Estimate C$60-80.
Lot 249 1840 Great Britain (May 21), 1d Mulready envelope to Sherborne, “May Date” usage, postmarked with an ideal red Maltese Cross, London despatch backstamp (21 May) on reverse, addressed to Sherborne, Dorset, a lovely and scarce early May usage with tremendous visual appeal. Estimate C$600-800.
Lot 73 Bolivia 1939 (July 30), Air Post Inverted Surcharge set of three, multi-franked large first flight cover to Rio de Janeiro, affixed with 1.50b on 15c, 3b on 20c, and 6b on 35 surcharged Air Post issues each with INVERTED SURCHARGE, 5c to 3b Air Post (Sc. C27-34), and 25c on 2c surcharge, tied by La Paz c.d.s., handstamped Condor Bolivia-Brazil cachet and Correo Aereo / Lloyd Aereo Boliviano / Bolivia – Brazil etiquette, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano / Primer Correo Aereo Bolivia – Brazil handstamp, with c.d.s. arrival backstamps, slight stains at left not impacting the inverted surcharged adhesives, an attractive and extremely rare franking, with fewer than ten covers with such a franking recorded. (Scott C24a/26a). Estimate C$800-1,000.
Lot 291 India 1865, 6a purple, cancelled with “B/1” octagon and blue “F.Casella & Co / Calcutta” merchant marking, to Naples, Italy, endorsed “per Str. Nubia” and “via Alexandria & Brindisi, Alexandria (6 Sep) transit c.d.s. on front, backstamped Calcutta Paid (3 Aug), Brindisi, and Napoli, reduced slightly at left, but a scarce franking. (S.G. 66) Estimate C$400-600.Sparks Auctions is excited to announce its Spring 2025 Postal History Auction, featuring an outstanding selection of covers, postal stationery, and postcards from around the world. This sale marks the first in an ongoing series of dedicated postal history auctions, focusing on single covers from around the world. With over half of the lots opening at $100 or less, this auction presents an ideal opportunity to acquire quality covers, postcards, and postal stationery at a range of price points and it continues our international expansion with bidding possible on the two leading stamp auction platforms in North America and Europe – both catering to an international clientele.
This sale offers a diverse range of material, including:
Asia – with scarce frankings and unusual usages from China, Japan, Manchukuo, and Thailand.
British Commonwealth – from pre-stamp through King George VI, with a strong emphasis on Victorian-era India.
Canada & British North America – covering early manuscript markings to Second World War military mail.
Europe – featuring sought-after classic France and German States postal history.
Latin America – highlighting elusive material from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and beyond.
United States – including stampless covers, Civil War mail, illustrated advertising, Exposition covers, and more.
Zeppelins & Airships – with a desirable selection of Graf Zeppelin material and worldwide first flights.
This sale is now available for viewing and advance bidding on Stamp Auction Network and Philasearch. We will also welcome bidders on the floor (and by telephone) at our offices in Ottawa, Canada on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 starting at 10:00AM Eastern time.
Prices Realized for our Stamps and Postal History of the World sale (March 4-6, 2026) can be seen at this link.
For news about our future sales and events, see our Upcoming Page or join our mailing list for announcements.
