Canadian Stamp Auctions

9 May, 2007 - Vance Auctions Ltd.

What a great sale this was with 4 new record prices and strength across all areas of Canada. One stamp that really stood out was s this very rare airmail stamp used for a flight from Canada to the UK in 1927:

London (Canada ) to London ( UK )

Lot 6400 Unitrade CLP6 Estimate $45,000 Realized $38,000

Vance offered these comments:

“ In 1927, captain Terence B. Tully and Lieutenant James Metcalf attempted to fly from London, Ontario to London, England. The flight was sponsored by Carling Breweries of London, Ontario, who offered a prize of $25,000 for successful completion of the “Sir John Carling” trans-Atlantic flight. On September 7, the plane left St. John’s Newfoundland and headed across the Atlantic carrying mail franked with a special airmail stamp. The plane never arrived in England, and no wreckage was ever found. A recent census by Charles Verge indicated that there were only NINE “London to London” stamps left in existence, and one unique cover. Two of the stamps are in the British Library’s philatelic collection which leaves only SEVEN copies in private hands! This auction features one of those extremely rare copies of the famous airmail.”

Scott 4a – Gorgeous Mint Example

We find this example of Canada’s early beaver particularly beautiful. The colour of the original 3¢ beaver on wove paper (Scott 4) issued an 1852 was “red”. A year later, in 1853, “brown red” copies were printed ( Scott 4a) and these have a slightly higher catalogue value.

It is so rare to see such a fine copy as this. Vance notes that the stamp has large margins and they are right because most copies, if they have any noticeable margins, may have 2 full margins, sometimes 3, but seldom 4 large even margins. After all, these stamps were separated by scissors and this probably was done, as when separating stamps today, in a hurry and not too carefully.

19¢ imperforate single

Fortunately, this single imperforate came with a 1958 Philatelic Foundation certificate. This helps authenticate that it is not a wide bordered copy with its perforations cut off. The irony is that it would be extremely unusual to find a mint stamp from the set with four large even margins. Even if you did, it would likely be worth more, with all its margins, than an imperforate single.

This is a very nice copy and we weren’t surprised to find that this was the best price we have on record for a single copy.

2¢ Small Queen bisect

Lot 5510 Scott 36c Estimate $300 Realized $238

Most bisects are found on a full envelope. But sometimes collectors cut the stamp off from the envelope. We’re lucky that this collector had the presence of mind to at least to save both the stamp and the beautiful postmark.

As usual, the bisect comes from the Maritimes where the use of bisects was more prevalent than in other parts of Canada and seemingly more accepted by the postal authorities. This one, dated October 24, 1884, was sent from Halifax.

Jubilees – Less than perfect, but still interesting

Here is a group of Jubilees that we thought might interest you:

JUMBO	NICELY DATED
Lot 5571 Scott 50 Catalogue $100 Realized $162	Lot 5580 Scott 51 (20 copies) Estimate $100 Realized $168

BOARDWALK MARGINS	IMPRINT COPY
Lot 5605 Scott 56 Catalogue $65 Realized $62	Lot 5631 Scott 60 Catalogue $210 Realized $312

Imperforates – With Noticeably Strong Prices

This sale had a large number of imperforate pairs and they seem to have done very well price wise. There were so many of them that we decided to show the two copies below and then, in a schedule, provide information on the others.

Lot 5701 Scott 77d Catalogue $850 Realized $1025 NRP

Lot 5998 Scott 174a Catalogue $900 Realized $1250 NRP

To tell the truth, these prices are better than what we would have expected it. This is the kind of surprise we like!

52¢ year of the Pig – missing gold and silver foil

Lot 6207 Scott No. unknown at present Estimate $995 Realized $475

The stamp was issued by Canada Post on January 5, 2007 to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Since then, a number of sheets with the missing gold and silver have been found. At this point, it would seem that nobody feels comfortable estimating the number of copies that exist and what the present market value should be.

We have recorded three sales so far, with at least 2 more coming up in June. The prices realized have been $675, $410 and the above $475. As well, in March, Saskatoon Stamp & Coin offered a quantity for sale at $375 and in May, an inscription block sold for $925. It will be interesting to see where the price eventually settles.

Canadian Stamp News did a front page feature on this variety in its February 20, 2007 edition. This was less than 2 months after the stamp’s issue date.

For more details on the sale, please click on the Highlights button below.

This sale had 4 new record prices: