1851 3p Dark Red on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate An unusually choice unused example in the distinctive early dark rich shade associated with the first printing; ample to large margins, extremely attractive with a lovely sharp impression on immaculate fresh paper. A desirable stamp in well-above average condition, very scarce, VF+; 2018 Greene Foundation and 1953 RPSL certificates (Image)

Cat. Value 6000 $

1851 3p Dull Red on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate An appealing example with large margins, faint natural bend, lovely pastel-like colour and clear impression, used with distinctive dotted cancellation in black. Very seldom seen, VF

It has been suggested that this dotted type of cancellation was used on remainders. It is rarely found on the 3p stamps. (Image)

Cat. Value 700 $

1858 (August 6) Amber cover mailed from Edmundston to Point Wolfe, bearing a well margined diagonally bisected 3p dark red, superbly tied by clear oval grid '12' (Edmundston) cancellation; St. John AU 6 and Harvey AU 6 transit backstamps. Cover slightly reduced left and light fold well away from the remarkable single bisect usage, VF and UNIQUE (Unitrade 1b)

Expertization: 1966 BPA certificate, signed by Robson Lowe et al.
Fred Jarrett business card with his handwritten and signed note: "I find the bisected 3d N.B. on cover, numeral 12 in grid, to be genuine in every way. Fr. Jarrett Dec. 1937."

Provenance: Hiroyuki Kanai, Specialized New Brunswick, Harmers of New York, October 1986; Lot 2024

Although Nova Scotia issued a one penny stamp in 1853, there was no comparable value in New Brunswick. A popular theory is that a one penny rate for printed matter was current (Nova Scotia had reduced their printed circular rate from 2 pence to 1 penny in 1856). As no New Brunswick penny stamp was issued, a 3 pence stamp was bisected to pay this rate. This is the ONLY KNOWN COVER BEARING A SINGLE USAGE OF THE BISECTED THREE PENCE STAMP.
(Image)

Estimate 5000 $

1851 6p Olive Yellow on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A lovely used example in a deeper shade, well clear to large margins, gorgeous colour, light oval grid '1' of Saint John; a nice stamp, VF (Image)

Cat. Value 1600 $

1851 6p Orange Yellow on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A selected used single with large even margins all around, displaying exceptionally fresh colour and a distinctive dotted cancellation in black. Very seldom seen, XF (Image)

Cat. Value 1600 $

1851 6p Orange Yellow on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A premium used single with very large margins, well tied to small piece by superb and rare oval grid '17' (Hillsborough; RF 9) numeral cancellation in black. A lovely, high-quality stamp that really stands out, XF; 1976 BPA certificate (identified as SG 3 yellow shade) (Image)

Cat. Value 1600 $

1855 (September 13) Orange cover in pristine condition bearing a selected 6p orange yellow with ample to large margins, beautifully tied by an outstanding sharp strike of the oval grid '14' (Gagetown) cancellation, mailed to Augusta, Maine; very clear strikes of Gagetown SE 13 and St. John SP 13 transit backstamps, blue New Brunswick double arc and red Paid 10 Cents exchange office markings, XF (Unitrade 2)

Expertization: 1990 Greene Foundation certificate

Provenance: J. R. Saint, June 2000; Lot 454

A GLORIOUS NUMERAL CANCELLED 6 PENCE COVER TO THE UNITED STATES - SUPERB IN ALL RESPECTS. (Image)

Estimate 2500 $

1859 (May 9) Clean cover from St. George to Brunswick, Maine bearing a choice large margined 6 pence olive yellow with deep rich colour and well-etched impression, tied by clear oval '28' numeral cancellation of St. George; on reverse St. George MR 9 double arc dispatch along with St. Stephen MY 10 transit backstamp. Cover slightly reduced at left, manuscript "Due 20" as letter was deemed over a half ounce for double weight (12 pence; 20c US) and treated as double deficiency to be collected on delivery. A beautiful and striking short-paid cover to the United States, VF (Unitrade 2)

THE ONLY NEW BRUNSWICK PENCE ERA COVER WE RECALL SEEING WITH A DOUBLE WEIGHT DEFICIENTLY DUE MARKING. UNLISTED IN THE EXHAUSTIVE ARFKEN & FIRBY CENSUS "THE PENCE COVERS OF NOVA SCOTIA AND NEW BRUNSWICK 1851-1860". (Image)

Estimate 2000 $

1851 1sh Bright Red Violet on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A beautiful used example with full margins on all sides, exceptionally fresh colour along with strong impression, distinctive dotted cancellation in black; pencil signed by expert A. Diena on reverse, VF+

Expertization: 1968 Alberto Diena certificate

Provenance: E. Carey Fox, Second Portion, H.R. Harmer, Inc (New York), October 1968; Lot 206

A CHOICE USED ONE-SHILLING HERALDIC WITH FABULOUS COLOUR; VERY SCARCE WITH THESE SUPERIOR ATTRIBUTES. (Image)

Cat. Value 8000 $

1851 3p Dull Red and 1sh Bright Red Violet Two large margined examples, the key 1sh stamp remarkably choice with exceptional colour; mounted to card with manuscript cross in black ink; allegedly done as specimens for archival purpose. Unusual and striking, VF-XF (Image)

Estimate 2000 $

1860 5c Brown Connell, Perf 11¾ A marvelous unused example of this notoriously difficult stamp, well centered and displaying unusually fresh characteristic colour and clear impression, perforations slightly trimmed on two sides but all are intact, most existing examples are noticeably clipped on one or more sides. The overall condition of this stamp is superior to what we are accustomed to seeing, VF and rare

Expertization: 2018 Greene Foundation certificate

A SELECTED VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS WELL-DOCUMENTED STAMP. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PRINTING WAS DESTROYED AFTER IT WAS LEARNED THAT THE POSTMASTER GENERAL HAD USED HIS OWN PORTRAIT INSTEAD OF THAT OF QUEEN VICTORIA. (Image)

Cat. Value 20000 $

1867 (March 20) Clean cover from Ossekeag to Norton, endorsed "Immediate" and franked with a pair and single 2c orange, the pair shows a portion of plate imprint at left, slight perf toning, tied by oval mute grids; on reverse Ossekeag MR 20 dispatch and Saint John MA 20 transit backstamps. A striking cover - the only known such multiple franking of the 2 cent orange, VF (Unitrade 7)

Expertization: RPS of London certificate

Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein, Sale 5, May 1969; Lot 894
Hiroyuki Kanai "Specialized New Brunswick", October 1986; Lot 2085
J.R. Saint, June 2000; Lot 651

Listed and discussed in Nicholas Argenti "The Postage Stamps of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia" on page 166, which states "This was probably an overpayment by 1 cent for the normal rate of 5 cents and is believed to be the only cover with three 2c stamps." (Image)

Estimate 750 $

1867 (September 24) A spectacular folded cover from Saint John to Chalons-sur-Saone, France, endorsed "via Halifax NS" and bearing an exceptional franking consisting of single 10c vermilion and 17c black, both tied by light oval mute grid cancels, "more to pay" manuscript crossed out, St. John SP 24 67 dispatch on reverse, clear London Paid 5 OC 67 circular transit datestamp in red and French oval "PD" handstamp in red, Calais 6 OCT transit on back with three different French transit and arrival CDS postmarks. A glorious cover paying an impressive and UNIQUE 27 cent rate to France; a great cover for a gold-medal exhibit, VF (Unitrade 9, 11)

Expertization: 1963 BPA certificate, signed by Robson Lowe et al.

Provenance: Maurice Burrus, Robson Lowe Ltd., November 1962; Lot 1128 - sold for a hefty £475 hammer against a pre-sale estimate of £100.
Rarities at World Stamp Expo '89, Washington, SG Auctions, November 1989; Lot 162 - realized US$4,800 hammer; the most expensive NB lot among this impressive holding.
"November" Collection, February 1994; Lot 247 - sold for US$7,475 inclusive of buyer's premium
Koh Seow Chuan, April 1999; Lot 127 - sold for US$14,375 versus a pre-sale estimate of $7,000-9,000.

A MAGNIFICENT AND CELEBRATED COVER TO FRANCE - WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE DECIMAL COVER OF NEW BRUNSWICK. (Image)

Estimate 15000 $