Lot 252 Canada #93 1903 10c brown lilac Edward VII, mint never hinged, with very large margins, bright colour and lovely freshness, extremely fine. Accompanied by a 2017 Greene Foundation certificate. One of the nicest examples we have handled of this stamp. Rsv. Unitrade CV$2,800, sold for C$2,100 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Lot 632, 1918 Mesopotamia 4an surcharge, Fountains of Suleiman invert, sold for C$34,500
One of the rarest inverted centre issues in the world:
Lot 632 Mesopotamia #N34a 1918 4a on 1¾p Surcharge with Inverted Fountains of Suleiman Centre, used, with unobtrusive “Marshalls Bridge” cancel showing part of the year date “20”. A lovely and fresh example, well centered, with the postmark leaving most of the inverted centre easily visible, very fine. This major error stamp is very rare, as there have only been 4 examples known (all of which are used) until this exciting new discovery. The last example we are aware of having been sold was a thinned stamp which was part of the famous “Robert H. Cunliffe Collection of Spectacular Inverted Stamps of the World” sale in 2009. Accompanied by a 2018 Sergio Sismondo certificate listing all of the five known examples, as well as the history behind the issue. Stanley Gibbons catalogue No. 7a, £32,000. With only five known examples, this is certainly one of the rarest inverted centre issues of the world, and worthy of the finest collection. Rsv. Scott CV U$37,500. Sold for C$30,000 plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Sale 29 has finished
Auction #29 is over. Prices Realized from the sale can be downloaded from this link. For a limited time, we have a listing of unsold lots which are still available for the opening bid, plus 15% buyer’s premium.
Starting next week we will begin highlighting some of the better and more interesting realizations from the sale. There is much to talk about, including what are certain to be a few amazing prices (such as the extremely fine 10c Prince Albert Consort shown below!).
We are now organizing material and preparing invoices which will take us until next week. Invoices will be sent by e-mail. While we will not usually interrupt our work to take your phone call, all calls and e-mails will be answered as soon as we can provide the information you require. Payment can be made in cash, cheques in CD$ or US$ (we will provide the conversion rate), Mastercard or Visa (2.5% convenience fee applies) or by internet eTransfer or wire (see your invoice for transit details, or check with us).
Buyers who wish to pick up their auction winnings at our offices can do so by appointment beginning on Thursday, January 31st. We are not open to the public before that date. If you haven’t visited our new offices yet, we remind you that we are now at 1770 Woodward Drive in Ottawa. Appointments can be made by e-mail or by telephone starting on Wednesday, January 30th. While our building is locked on Saturdays, we will try to make arrangements for those who must pick up outside of work hours.
As always, we thank you for your bids!
Sparks Auctions
Lot 1178, 1890 Great Britain one pound brown violet Victoria with rare THROGMORTON AVENUE squared circle
We recommence the auction today with more postal history. The Commonwealth section features many lots of Great Britain squared circles.
Lot 1178 THROGMORTON AVENUE F / E.C. a fine and centered strike P / AU 16 / 90 on a £1 brown violet Queen Victoria stamp (tiny tear at right). When the Handbook was published, only two strikes of this office were known, one (offered elsewhere in this collection) on a £1 stamp and one on a 1sh stamp. This is a third, unrecorded example. A rare squared circle, with a rarity factor of 475. The stamp alone catalogues $4,500 in Scott, including 50% premiums for very fine centering and clear c.d.s. postmark – squared circle postmarks are quite a lot rarer on this stamp. S.G. #185,cat £2,800. Estimate $500.
Lot 526, Nova Scotia 1857 six pence dark green Heraldic, XF used with light oval grid cancel
Lot 526 Nova Scotia #5 1857 6d dark green Heraldic Imperforate, used with light oval grid cancel, with four large and even margins and bright fresh colour, extremely fine. Accompanied by a 2012 Greene Foundation certificate. A rare stamp in such nice quality. Rsv. Unitrade CV$3,000.
