India

Lot 294, India 1867 cover Manuntoddy to London, sold for C$555

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Lot 294, India 1867 cover Manuntoddy to London, sold for C$555Lot 294, India 1867 cover Manuntoddy to London, sold for C$555Lot 294 India 1867, 2a orange, 4a green, and 8p mauve, tied to cover by “48” diamond cancel, INDIA PAID crescent handstamp, Manuntoddy double split-ring despatch backstamp, Bombay (4 Apr) transit, to London, with 6 May receiver on front, embossed red “VIA MARSEILLES” endorsement, an appealing cover with a scarce printed route directive, some edge creasing, else fine. Sold for C$475.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.

Lot 295, India 1867 mourning cover from Bangalore to Devon England, sold for C$468

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Lot 295, India 1867 mourning cover from Bangalore to Devon England, sold for C$468Lot 295, India 1867 mourning cover from Bangalore to Devon England, sold for C$468Lot 295 India 1867, three 2a orange, tied to mourning cover from Bangalore to Devon by “BANGALORE AP 13 / M-13” datestamp, additionally cancelled in manuscript, endorsed “per Steamer via Brindisi”, to South Devon, England, with “OUTW BOMBAY ” (16 Apr) transit and Dartmouth c.d.s. backstamps, some creasing as typical of these flimsy envelopes, else fine. Sold for C$400.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.

Spring 2025 Postal History Auction 1 has finished

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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.

Announcing Our Spring 2025 Postal History Auction

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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.

Lot 1158, Collection of British Commonwealth George VI issues, mostly mint, sold for C$1,404

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Lot 1158, Collection of British Commonwealth George VI issues, mostly mint, sold for C$1,404Lot 1158 Collection of mostly mint George VI British Commonwealth issues, starting with the 1937 George VI coronation issue period, a quality collection of several dozens of sets from more than 40 countries, mostly mint, and neatly organized in three stock books, with centering notably better than usually found, and predominantly lightly hinged, with never hinged examples found throughout. We note the following better items and sets: Aden (Sc. #16-27a, c.v. $65); Antigua #84-95 NH (c.v. $105); Bahamas #100-113 (c.v. $127), #116-129 (c.v. $63); Bahrain #38-51 (c.v. $88), 20-37 (c.v. $573), 60-61A (c.v. $79), 78-80 (c.v. $104); Barbados #216-227 (c.v. $96); Bermuda #123-128 (c.v. $500); British Guiana #230-241 x2 (c.v. $166); Virgin Islands #76-87 (c.v. $140); Burma #18A-33 (c.v. $145); #O15-O27 (c.v. $224), #O43-O55 (c.v. $200); Falkland Islands #93-96 (c.v. $290 not counting NH factor); Gibraltar #107-118 (c.v. $106); India #162-166 (c.v. $160); New Hebrides #50-61 NH (c.v. $300); Northern Rhodesia #26-45 NH (c.v. $275); Seychelles #125-148 (c.v. $367); Australia #218-221 mint hinged (c.v. $253), as well as Newfoundland, Hong Kong, Burma and India likely being of interest. Significant value here, overall fresh and fine-very fine throughout; online photos show a representative sampling of this lot. Estimate C$1,000, sold for C$1,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.