1841 (July 12) Folded lettersheet to Havana, Cuba prepaid "4½" (currency) and "25" (cents) with large double ring City of Toronto JY 12 1811 datestamp (error of indicia 1811 instead of 1841) and same ink PAID handstamp, circular "E / NA" Cuban Maritime marking; on reverse superb "Forwarded Through Gilpin's Exchange Reading Room and Foreign Letter Office N. York" Forwarding Agent oval handstamp in red - a rare marking, visually appealing, VF (Image)
Estimate 500 $
Opening C$ 290.00
Sold...C$ 575.00
Closed..Feb-27-2020, 15:00:00 EST
Sold For 575
Sale No: 859
Lot No: 316
Symbol: C
1845 (June 15) Folded lettersheet from Quebec to Dublin, Ireland bearing mostly legible Quebec double arc dispatch datestamp in red and superb diamond shaped "1/2" rate marking in black, a due marking in sterling to avoid confusion between Currency and Sterling. Only three examples are reported in the Arnell & Montgomery handbook, especially desirable being so well-struck, VF (Image)
Estimate 500 $
Opening C$ 400.00
Sold...C$ 525.00
Closed..Feb-27-2020, 15:00:00 EST
Sold For 525
Sale No: 859
Lot No: 317
Symbol: C
1878 (April 3) Small envelope endorsed "O.H.M.S." and "Free", very clear South Bolton, L.C. double arc dispatch with filled-in manuscript "April 3 1878" date; on reverse a light but complete, legible strike of the extremely rare double ring House of Commons / Canada APR 4 1878 postmark (without "Crown" nor Free) in blue (Davis CP-9i RF "5" - the highest rarity factor allocated by Davis). Very few are known to exist, VF (Canada Specialized HC-9) (Image)
Estimate 200 $
Opening C$ 100.00
Sold...C$ 210.00
Closed..Feb-27-2020, 15:00:00 EST
Sold For 210
Sale No: 859
Lot No: 318
Symbol: C
Cat No: Collection
1896 (April 19) House of Commons, Speaker's Chambers engraved backflap envelope, countersigned and mailed to Montreal with Free franking privilege, bearing a superb strike of the exceedingly rare Ottawa "FREE" datestamp (unlisted in Davis handbook) originating from an Imperial machine who also manufactured flag cancels as early as April 1896, additional House of Commons / FREE APL 19 1896 CDS (Davis CP-18), Montreal APR 20 1896 receiver and small carrier AP 20 marking backstamps. We are aware of only one other cover and a proof strike on a paper slip (described below). An exceptional precursor / "flag cancel" related cover, its importance and utmost rarity will certainly enhance an existing Government Official Markings and a Flag Cancel exhibit collection, VF
The proof strike is illustrated in the Capex 96 Gems of Canadian Philately handbook published in 1996 on page 180; described then as "the only known example of an Imperial machine Ottawa Free cancellation. There is no indication that this cancellation was ever used on mail." (Image)
