The overwhelming first impression of this sale is its sheer physical size;
hundreds of albums in rows on shelves; many storage units filled with
cartons which are in turn filled with collections, postcards, envelopes,
stamps in bundles, stamps organized in glassines, "102" cards,
stockbooks, Post Office new issues, postal artifacts, and more stamps. We
have spent hundreds of hours describing these lots – and we have described
them fairly and in a consistent manner. The overall quality is quite high
for this great mass of philatelic collectibles that are the property of
several dozen estates and collections.
Some of the bulk lots have a retail value well in excess of $10,000, others
are estimated to be worth less than the cost of shipping. Most fall
somewhere in between. We do know that thorough viewing will be rewarded
because there will be hidden treasures.
While the body of the auction occupies hundreds of square feet, its heart
is in the vaults - interesting postal history, superb stamps, items that
are scarce, rare or even unique, valuable stamps and covers are found
throughout the catalogue.
The exceptional collection of South West Africa has many rarities. A
personal favourite is the used 10/- block from the first setting with two
WESi errors. The Sparks catalogue will serve as a reference for the scarce
items for decades to come. The rest of British Africa is of interest with
Mafia Island and East Africa among the features.
The Second session has a number of lots with essays, proofs and other
artwork for stamp issues which are both fascinating and very rare, often
unique.
The Canada and BNA sessions have numerous exceptional lots. Lovely Pence
issues are complemented by the interesting group of half-pennys which
include a pair and two lots with an imperforate and perforated half-penny
with the same major re-entry. The Large Queen section of 61 lots is strong
with mints, blocks and re-entries and includes what is believed to be the
largest mint multiple of the watermarked Three cent value. The Small
Queens through to the Quebecs offer many stamps of exceptional quality as
well as interesting items for the specialist. The 68 lots of the Admiral
Issue will fill many holes for discriminating collectors who have been
searching for just the right stamp for their collection.
Large Die Proofs and great rarities are featured in the later KGV and QEII
Issues. We note a missing hologram full sheet, a very rare imperforate
between booklet, the Missing Moose, and the 1998 Christmas perf change
matched set of plate blocks. The Registration issues include lovely
re-entries and a strong Precancel section is high-lighted by an Amherst on
the 4¢ Admiral.
Nova Scotia features a mint #1 and a superb three penny. One of the most
exceptional items in the sale is a mint Newfoundland two penny scarlet
vermilion, very fine with huge margins.
Session Five has wonderful postal history, much of it from collector/dealer
Roger Greer's collections of Nova Scotia. Several lovely pence and 1859
covers are highlighted by a ten penny cover; a ten cent rate to Sweden and
a gorgeous six penny cover are highlights of the Large Queens. British
Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia all have at least one cover waiting
for a Gold Medal Exhibit.
Newfoundland has a magnificent De Pinedo cover, a Columbia cover and a
diagonally bisect eight penny cover. Over 350 lots of foreign covers,
cover lots and postcards have numerous items awaiting a place in your
collection.
We have referred elsewhere to the Sixth Session of lots and collections.
One collection of Large Queens has a catalogue over $47,000. We invite you
to view this and to note how few stamps have short perfs. A similar story
can be told many, many times for the 486 lots in this session.
For more information please contact us at:
Sparks Auctions
62 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5A8 Canada
Phone: (613)567-3336
Fax: (613)567-2972
To request more information by email.
info@sparks-auctions.com
Visit our Home Page at
Sparks Auctions
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