Canadian Stamp Auctions

21 June, 2005 - R. Maresch & Son

If there's one thing we can count on in most Canadian stamp auctions, it's that there will be lots of "beavers". Examples of the earliest beaver issued in 1851 on laid paper, Scott 1, are often badly cut and heavily canceled. As a result, copies can be picked up relatively inexpensively as in this sale for say $250 - $280. Here are some examples:

Lot 406 Scott 1a Catalogue $800 Realized $280

Lot 408 Scott 1 Catalogue $800 Realized $260

The Scott 4 beaver, issued a year later in 1852 on wove paper, is even more readily available in all price categories, mostly the inexpensive ones. Again, this is because of poor cutting or heavy cancellations. See the three examples below:

Lot 417 Scott 4 Catalogue $180 Realized $65

Lot 418 Scott 4 Catalogue $180 Realized $25

Lot 422 Scott 4 Catalogue $180 Realized $65

But, every so often, collectors get the opportunity of bidding on a copy of Scott 4 that really stands out. We spotted two of these in this latest Maresch sale:

"Dated Cancellation " Lot 419 Scott 4 Estimate $300 Realized $300

It is unusual to find Canada's early stamps with a "dated" cancellation such as the above. Somewhere we read that this practice was frowned upon by the postal authorities and as a result we rarely find them. This copy was dated July 14, 1858, so the stamp was obviously used late in the life of the imperforate beavers. These would soon be replaced by Canada's first perforated stamps.

The above is an outstanding copy of Scott 4c featuring the red colour and softer ribbed paper. The light cancellations and wide margins made it stand out and, as a result, it received a very strong price.

"Ex Julian Smith" stamp

Lot 507 Scott 19 Catalogue $825 Realized $625

Every time we see a stamp offered "Ex Julian Smith", we pay attention. The Julian Smith collection was offered by Maresch in 1986 and brought together some of the finest early Canadian stamps we can remember. The above Scott 19 is an example. Unfortunately, while it was well centered for this set, there was a hint of penetration in the bottom perf. tips and so it sold for $625 which is less than its catalogue value.

When this stamp was sold back in 1986, (Maresch, Oct. 23, 1986 lot 65) it sold for $625, i.e. the same price as in this sale. So buying this stamp 19 years ago has unfortunately not proved profitable. One possible explanation is that there was no mention of the "gum penetration" in the description of the stamp in the earlier sale. Thus, presumably the condition of the stamp has deteriorated in the interim.

10¢ Magenta Small Queen - Jumbo!

Lot 784 Scott 40a Catalogue $65 Realized $270

As we noted in our recent review of the 2006 Scott catalogue, the price for the 10¢ Small Queen rose strongly this year. Of the six shades listed by Scott, the magenta is the most valuable. Small wonder then that this amazing copy with its jumbo margins did so well in this auction.

3¢ Admiral - a valuable copy of the die II variety

Lot 987 Scott 109c Catalogue $67 Realized $300

Like most collectors, we enjoy looking at stamps from the Admiral set that have the excellent qualities of this one. The $300 price which is 4-5 times catalogue, was strong and would have been a new record, but for the fact that a copy sold at a Maresch sale a year ago for $325.

2¢ Registration Stamp

Lot 1220 Scott F1a Estimate $2,500 Realized $2,700

What a showpiece! The imprint strip of 10 of the 2¢ registered stamp was in the vermillion rather than the regular orange shade. While all the stamps were never hinged, one stamp had a tiny spot of missing gum. As ten individual stamps, the catalogue price would have been $950, but the piece obviously warranted the $2,500 higher estimate with the selvedge showing both the "2" counter number on top and the "full imprint" on the side.

Modern Imperforates can be inexpensive

Lot 1168 Scott 1194B Catalogue $140 Realized $60

We doubt it has escaped anyone's attention that many of Canada's modern imperforates regularly sell for less than their catalogue value. This is likely because they are so plentiful and, especially in the case of the imperforate coils from the definitive sets, no one knows how many of each exists.

Here are some other examples of prices from the sale:

Our advice to collectors is to get them while you can! Bid regularly at auction sales at the price level you want and every once in awhile you'll succeed.

As usual when we come to the end of our commentary on one of these Maresch sales, we wish we could go on since there were so many other wonderful things to describe, but all good things must come to an end!

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