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 1138 Canada #P15 1897 2c U.P.U. Post Card Mailed to Ecuador, Re-Directed to Peru, mailed from Kingston on DEC.3.1897 to Guayaquil, Ecuador (arrived there 10 months later on OCT.18.1898), received a boxed transit handstamp and re-directed to Lima, Peru with a OCT.28 receiver on back, with owner’s notes reading ‘via New York packet to Aspinwall, Panama City, packet down West Coast”. Very fine. A very rare destination, may even be the only one known. Estimate C$500.
Lot 812 Peru #210/218 1918 Set of Five Different ABN Die Proofs, identified as being prepared for Scott #s 210 (Bolivar in green), 211 (José Galvez), 212 (Manuel Pardo), 217 (Colon en la universidad de Salamanca) and 218 (Funerales de Atahualpa). All have printer’s inscription beneath the design American Bank Note Company, plus the name of the designs and plate numbers (some crossed-out and replaced by different numbers). A very rare offering, very fine and each item is retail priced at $350. Estimate C$750.
