New Brunswick Seal of the Colony Engraved die proof in black die sunk directly to thick card - the original Seal of the Colony, quite likely prepared circa. 1850 for the proposed first issue of New Brunswick printed by Perkins, Bacon & Co. A highly interesting proof - an unadopted design as stamps were issued instead with the Royal Crown at centre surrounded by Heraldic Flowers. A great frontispiece to any advanced BNA collection, VF (Image)

Estimate 500 $

1851 1p Red on Bluish Wove Paper, Imperforate An impressive mint pair with exceptionally fresh colour and good margins all around, seldom seen attributes on this particular stamp, still retaining an unusually large portion of its original gum, tiny negligible thin at extreme top of right stamp, a rare mint multiple, VF OG Expertization: 2019 Greene Foundation certificate Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein, H.R. Harmer, Inc., Sale 5, May 1969; Lot 838 After lengthy searching for comparable multiples, we were only able to find one other pair in private hands (ex. Alfred Caspary) which is without gum and has a light crease on one stamp. (Image)

Cat. Value 20000 $

1851 3p Red on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A scarce unused single with ample to noticeably large margins, without gum as often seen, an elusive stamp missing from numerous advanced collections; pencil signed by expert A. Diena on reverse, VF; 1963 Diena certificate (Image)

Cat. Value 5000 $

1851 3p Red on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate An outstanding used example surrounded by superb oversized margins - rarely seen thus, brilliant colour on pristine fresh paper, light clearly struck oval mute grid cancellation. XF GEM Provenance: E. Carey Fox, First Portion, H.R. Harmer, Inc., May 1968; Lot 7 (Image)

Cat. Value 700 $

1851 3p Red on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A remarkably choice used single with full to unusually large margins, gorgeous fresh colour on pristine blue paper, ideal unobtrusive oval mute grid cancellation; pencil signed on reverse. A great stamp, XF (Image)

Cat. Value 700 $

1856 (June 24) Small cover mailed from Saint John to Toronto, Upper Canada, franked with a single 3p dark red with well clear to full margins, tied by light oval grid; on reverse St. John New Brunswick JU 24 1856 double arc dispatch along with Montreal JU 28 and large circular Toronto JUL 1 C.W. arrival postmark. A very rare 3 pence letter rate to Canada, VF (Unitrade 1a) Only three covers bearing a 3 pence stamp to Canada have been reported in the Arfken & Firby "The Pence Covers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 1851-1860"; the cover offered here is not present in the census. (Image)

Estimate 1500 $

1858 (August 13) Small clean envelope mailed from Sackville to USA, bearing a select pair of the 3p Heraldic in the distinctive dark red shade, well clear to large margins all around and tied by clear oval grid '24' cancellations of Sackville, clear AU 13 double arc dispatch on reverse, St. John New Brunswick AU 15 transit; pencil signed by expert A. Diena. A beautiful numeral grid cancelled 6 pence rate cover to the United States, VF (Unitrade 1a) (Image)

Estimate 1500 $

1859 (October 31) Blue folded entire lettersheet endorsed "p. Packet via Halifax" bearing a diagonally bisected 3p red with clear to full margins, slightly overlapping a 6p yellow, barely touching at left to very large margins, both tied by oval numeral grid "1" cancels of St. John, clear OC 31 dispatch on back, horizontal file fold at centre well away from stamps. Paying the correct 7½ pence letter rate to the United Kingdom (effective August 1st, 1854) with London Paid NO 14 arrival postmark in red. A clean and appealing bisect cover to England, VF (Unitrade 1b, 2; cat. $6,000) Expertization: 1957 RPS of London certificate, submitted by Nicholas Argenti, well-known author and collector of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. (Image)

Estimate 2500 $

1851 6p Olive Yellow on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate An exceedingly rare mint example of this very difficult classic stamp, with unusually rich colour and in flawless condition, surrounded by full to large margins, large part original gum with clean hinging at one side, very seldom encountered on the 6 pence Heraldic; pencil signed by expert A. Diena on reverse. A wonderful mint stamp often missing from even the most advanced collections, VF OG Expertization: 1968 Alberto Diena certificate A FABULOUS VERY FINE MINT SIX PENCE HERALDIC WITH A REMARKABLY LARGE PORTION OF ITS ORIGINAL GUM - A MERE FEW EXIST. (Image)

Cat. Value 15000 $

1851 6p Mustard Yellow on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A superb used pair displaying true deep colour attributed to the elusive first printing, strongly detailed impression, surrounded by attractive large margins and cancelled by two neatly positioned oval mute grid cancels. A striking and very rarely seen multiple; in fact we suspect this to be the finest pair of this shade, XF GEM Expertization: 2019 Greene Foundation certificate Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein, H.R. Harmer, Inc., Sale 5, May 1969; Lot 873 (Image)

Cat. Value 3600 $

1851 6p Olive Yellow on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A truly remarkable used single, four full to mostly large margins, bright fresh colour and showing a stunning socked-on-nose Eastern City JUL 13 large circular datestamp (circa. 1855) for mail carried on steamboat S.S. Eastern City. This postmark (JGY 174; RF 6) is rarely seen, especially so on a choice 6 pence stamp and struck with such precision, XF; 1944 RPS of London certificate (Image)

Estimate 1500 $

1858 (November 29) Orange brown envelope mailed from Shediac to USA bearing an extraordinary example of the 6p olive yellow Heraldic with four enormous margins - portion of adjacent stamps are visible on three sides, tied by light and legible oval grid "26" cancellation of Shediac, light Shediac NO 29 double arc dispatch on reverse, neat St. John New Brunswick DE 1 1858 transit datestamp on front and border exchange circular Paid 10 handstamp in red; a desirable 6p letter rate to the US bearing what is undoubtedly regarded as the FINEST SIX PENCE HERALDIC IN EXISTENCE with the largest margins attainable - on or off cover, XF GEM (Unitrade 2) Expertization: 2019 Greene Foundation certificate Provenance: Maurice Burrus, Robson Lowe Ltd., November 1962; Lot 1103 - described as "a most wonderful example of the 6p". J.R. Saint, Brigham Auctions, June 2000; Lot 456 Literature: Illustrated in Robson Lowe Encyclopaedia of British Empire Postage Stamps, Volume V North America on page 330 (Image)

Estimate 3000 $

1851 1sh Bright Red Violet on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A seldom seen mint single of this noteworthy classic stamp, displaying clear to mostly full margins all around, fabulous true rich colour encountered only on exceptionally fresh examples, possessing large part original gum; pencil signed by expert A. Diena on reverse. A lovely post office fresh mint example of this sought-after One shilling Heraldic, F-VF OG Expertization: 2019 Greene Foundation and 1962 Alberto Diena certificates Provenance: Maurice Burrus, Robson Lowe Ltd., November 1962; Lot 1071 - described as "exceptionally fine with large part original gum." Literature: Illustrated in Robson Lowe Encyclopaedia of British Empire Postage Stamps, Volume V North America on page 344. (Image)

Cat. Value 43500 $

1853 (August 14) A wonderful cover in excellent state of preservation, bearing a highly desirable side-by-side franking consisting of a 3p dull red and a 1sh bright red violet, both stamps are superb with large margins all around and are tied by centrally struck oval mute grid cancels, equivalence "1/" (sterling) "1/3cy" (currency) manuscript rates in red ink, obliterated with a clear Fredericton, NB Paid AU 14 double arc dispatch in red, addressed to Dublin, Ireland with tombstone Pkt. Letter Paid Liverpool AU 28 transit datestamp in red with AU 29 arrival backstamp. This amazing cover correctly pays the 1sh3p (15 pence) letter rate to the United Kingdom via British Packet from Halifax and is one of only two reported to Ireland. An impeccable cover in flawless condition, ideal for the connoisseur, XF GEM (Unitrade 1, 3) Expertization: 2019 Greene Foundation certificate Provenance: Robson Lowe in Zurich, May 1981; Lot 208 - illustrated on the front cover of the auction catalogue. Literature: Illustrated in Robson Lowe Encyclopaedia of British Empire Postage Stamps Volume V North America on the colour plate facing page 384. Postal Rate: The 15 pence letter (1sh3p) rate to the United Kingdom was effective from July 6, 1851 to July 31, 1854. On August 1st, 1854 the rate was reduced to 7½ pence per half ounce. Census: There are a total of five 1sh3p rate covers to the United Kingdom reported in Arfken & Firby "The Pence Covers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 1851-1860" - three are to England and two to Ireland. The other cover to Ireland is dated July 13, 1854 from Shediac to Limerick. A DELIGHTFUL RATE COVER OF GREAT RARITY IN THE HIGHEST QUALITY ATTAINABLE. IN OUR OPINION THE FINEST AND THE MOST VISUALLY APPEALING AMONG OF THE FIVE KNOWN 15 PENCE COVERS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. (Image)

Estimate 25000 $

1851 1sh Dull Violet on Bluish Wove Paper, Imperforate A superlative example of this great rarity - one of the toughest classic stamps of British North America to find with such superior attributes; unused without gum and displaying a beautiful and very distinctive shade, uniformly fresh on immaculate bluish wove paper, surrounded by spectacular margins; pencil signed by expert Herbert Bloch on reverse. An amazing stamp in all respects and in the highest grade attainable, XF GEM Expertization: 2019 Greene Foundation certificate Provenance: "Vaduz" Collection, Sotheby's (London), November 1979; Lot 373 "Provenance" Collection of British North America, Harmers of New York, January 1983; Lot 2016 - described as "Undoubtedly the rarest unused B.N.A. stamp", it sold for US$18,000 against a then catalogue value of $12,500. Melat, Feldman, November 1985; Lot 32285 Rarity: Nicholas Argenti, one of the foremost authorities on New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, considered unused Pence issues to be amongst the world's most sought after rarities and rightfully so. Several of the great collections lacked them, for example, there was no unused one shilling New Brunswick in the legendary Alfred H. Caspary collection. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ONE SHILLING HERALDIC IN THE DISTINCTIVE DULL VIOLET SHADE. WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST EXISTING EXAMPLE IN UNUSED CONDITION. AN IDEAL STAMP FOR THE COLLECTOR WHO IS ONLY SATISFIED WITH THE BEST. (Image)

Cat. Value 35000 $

1853 (July 27) Folded cover endorsed per "Admiral" mailed from Saint John to New York, bearing a choice four margined 1sh on bluish wove paper, in the unmistakable and scarcer dull violet shade, tied by light oval mute grid cancel and large circular Express Mail St. John JUL 27 datestamp, additional strike at left - a very early dated Steamboat letter as service had been extended to St. John on July 23rd; clear JY 27 double arc dispatch on reverse, with PAID straightline and "20" (cents) handstamps in red; portion of addressee excised and expertly restored A great rarity - only one other One shilling franking has been recorded paying the double weight letter rate to the United States (it currently resides in the Royal Collection). A fabulous cover which once graced several important collections of the past, VF (Unitrade 4) Expertization: 2019 Greene Foundation certificate Provenance: W.H. Brouse (collection sold privately in the 1920s) with his signature backstamps Dale-Lichtenstein, H.R. Harmer, Inc., Sale 2, November 1968; Lot 472 New Brunswick Specialized Collection, November 1980; Lot 66 Neville Clifford-Jones, Christie's Robson Lowe, March 1992; Lot 3340 Dr. John L. Robertson, April 2004; Lot 224 Warren Wilkinson, March 2011; Lot 10092 From July 23, 1853 to early 1856, the US steamboat service was extended to Saint John and letters, such as the one offered (carried on steamer Admiral), were carried between Saint John, Eastport, Portland and Boston before travelling to their respective US addresses. (Image)

Estimate 15000 $

1851 3p Dull Red, 6p Yellow and 1sh Bright Red Violet The set of three singles with manuscript cross cancels, each with gorgeous fresh colours; 3p touching design on one side, otherwise with full to large margins. Presumably done as specimens for archival purposes; a visually striking and rare set of "specimen" stamps, Fine to Very Fine Provenance: Edward Tresoldi Granger, H.R. Harmer Ltd., October 1958; Lot 259 - described as "early print and of brilliant colour and with part gum. The stamps are all cancelled (all undoubtedly "specimens") with a cross in ink". (Image)

Estimate 2500 $

1860 5c Charles Connell A very large margined imperforate single in a chocolate brown shade - very similar to the unissued stamp, printed on thick gummed wove paper (0.004" thick); couple tiny peripheral pinholes and minute edge thin. Despite these imperfections Argenti noted that this imperforate is "rare, if not rarer, than the genuine perforated Connell stamp". Very few exist in any condition, VF appearance; 2019 Greene Foundation certificate (Image)

Estimate 500 $

1860 5c Charles Connell Corner margin plate essay block of four, printed in dark brown on india paper, VF and attractive (Image)

Cat. Value 1200 $

1860 5c Charles Connell Lower margin plate essay block of six printed in dark brown on card mounted india paper, both rows show all three types of SPECIMEN (from left to right; the elusive Type D, B & C); a choice and rarely seen positional block ideal for exhibition, VF (Unitrade cat. $4,400) Includes a handwritten letter from Kasimir Bileski, mentioning that the block originated from the Lewis Reford collection (dispersed in 1950-1951). (Image)

Estimate 1500 $

1866 (October 30) Small envelope mailed to Moncton with a striking franking consisting of single and strip of four of the 1c red lilac Locomotive, all tied by light oval mute grid cancels, large portion of Bend of Petitcodiac, NB OC 30 1866 rimless receiver backstamp; an appealing and scarce multiple franking paying the five cent domestic letter rate, VF (Unitrade 6) (Image)

Estimate 500 $

1863 2c Orange A bright, fresh unused vertical pair, imperforate horizontally, without gum as are all known examples; unusually well centered and choice, VF (Image)

Cat. Value 950 $

1860 (June 30) Orange envelope from Harvey to Point Wolf, Alma, NB, bearing a diagonal bisect of the 10c vermilion used for the 5 cent domestic letter rate; somewhat soiled at right lightly touching stamp which is superbly tied by oval grid "16" (RF 9) cancellation, clear Harvey JU 29 1860 double arc dispatch on reverse, a Fine and very scarce bisect cover with an XF numeral cancel; 1980 BPA certificate (Unitrade 9a) A legitimate in-period provisional usage of the bisected 10 cent, which was in effect as of May 1860. This was a temporary solution for the controversial and suppressed 5 cent Connell stamp which was never issued. The 5 cent Queen Victoria (Scott 8) is said to have been issued in or around July 18. (Image)

Estimate 750 $

1860 (June 13) Blue folded cover in clean condition mailed from Newcastle to Moncton franked with a choice diagonal bisect of the 10c vermilion used for the 5 cent domestic letter rate, tied by a clear oval grid "21" (RF 7), Newcastle, NB JU 13 double arc dispatch on reverse and partially legible next-day Bend of Petitcodiac (Moncton) receiver. A lovely bisect cover with a clear numeral grid cancel, VF; 1935 RPS of London certificate (Unitrade 9a) (Image)

Estimate 750 $

1860 12½c Indigo An impressive, very well centered mint block of nine, post office fresh with intact perforations, a few typical uncleared perf discs, showing unusually clean and full original gum with four stamps NEVER HINGED. A superb multiple and much nicer than normally encountered, VF; ex. J. R. Saint (June 2000; Lot 598) (Image)

Cat. Value 2125 $