Folded lettersheet written at "Minudie March 1st 1851" and mailed at Amherst, prepaid to Collinsville, Connecticut, bearing a beautiful proof-like impression of the scarce British "Crown" Paid at Amherst, N.S. handstamp in red, prepaid manuscript rates "11½" to the border and "10" from the US border to Connecticut. Clear Amherst MR 1 dispatch, Sackville, NB MR 2 and St. Andrews, NB MA 5 1851 transit backstamps, along with mostly clear Robbinston, ME MAR 6 transit on front; couple usual light file folds. A lovely clean VF cover with XF strike (SG CC1 £1,000) (Image)

Estimate 750 $

1853 1p Queen Victoria An impressive plate proof block of sixteen printed in black directly to thin white card; third stamp in second row (Position 19) shows the Major Fresh Entry plate variety with very prominent markings in all four value tablets, along top frameline, etc. Trivial surface scuffs on three proofs in second column, a beautiful positional proof block showing the major plate variety, VF

Provenance: Claude Cartier, SG Auctions, September 1977; Lot 48

The plate variety is discussed at length in Argenti "The Postage Stamps of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia" on pages 10-12. It is our understanding that it only occurred on the Plate I proof sheet (printed in black on wove or on thick card). No stamps were printed from this plate; however all of the issued stamps were printed from Plate II. (Image)

Cat. Value 9600 $

1853 1p Queen Victoria A fabulous plate proof block of sixteen printed in black on yellowish wove paper - quite unusual as from past experience we see a lot more plate proof on the distinctive thin white card. The third stamp in the second row (Position 19) shows the Major Fresh Entry plate variety with very prominent markings in all four value tablets, along top frameline, etc. Creased in top sheet margin and along lower two rows and thinned at lower right mostly in the margin, faults on two proofs. A UNIQUE positional block and most likely the largest surviving proof block on wove paper, VF appearance; the ideal companion to the previous lot (ID058676).

Provenance: British North America Sale, SG Auctions (London), October 1981; Lot 349 (Image)

Cat. Value 9600 $

1853 1p Red Brown on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A lovely used pair surrounded by ample to large margins for this particular stamp, barely discernible crease between stamps, deep rich colour on fresh deeply blued paper, very lightly cancelled with unobtrusive oval mute grid cancels; an elusive multiple in selected quality, VF (Image)

Cat. Value 1400 $

1853 1p Red Brown on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A superb used single clearly showing the Major Fresh Entry (Plate II; Position 49) with very strong doubling in all value tablets, in "NOVA", etc., unusually large margins showing small portion of adjacent stamps at left and top, lovely rich colour and clear oval mute grid cancel. Perhaps no finer used example of this prominent plate variety exists. A great stamp for the specialist, XF (Image)

Estimate 1000 $

1853 1p Red Brown on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A choice used single with large margins showing portion of adjacent stamp at left, lovely fresh colour with light centrally struck oval grid cancel; a nice stamp, VF (Image)

Cat. Value 700 $

1856 (May 21) Small envelope from Pictou to Charlottetown bearing an unusually sound horizontal strip of three of the 1p red brown on blue wove paper, with well clear to large margins, struck by oval grid cancellations; backflap repaired, showing Pictou MY 21 1856 and next-day arrival Prince Edward Island MY 22 1856 datestamps on back. A very rare Pence issue cover to PEI; being not only the nicest but also the Earliest Reported Date among the three known covers bearing this franking, VF (Unitrade 1)

Unlisted in the Arfken & Firby census "The Pence Covers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 1851-1860". The latter lists a total of eleven covers to Prince Edward Island; nine of which pay the single-letter rate (per half ounce). Of these nine only two covers have a 1p (x3) franking, postmarked November 3, 1856 and July 30, 1857 respectively. The cover offered here, postmarked May 21, 1856 predates by more than 5 months the earliest of these two reported covers. (Image)

Estimate 2000 $

1860 (August 21) Lady's cover bearing a remarkable franking consisting of two 1p red brown and two 3p blue on bluish wove paper, right 1p stamp in at left, otherwise all stamps with ample to very large margins, well struck with oval mute grid cancellations; backstamped Wallace, NS AU 21 double arc dispatch, oval AU 22 (Halifax) and St. John's AU 28 transits and Harbour Grace AU 30 arrival datestamp tying right 1p stamp. An exceedingly rare franking - likely the only known, paying the elusive 8 pence letter rate from the Interior of Nova Scotia to Newfoundland, VF (Unitrade 1, 2)

Expertization: 2018 Greene Foundation and 1977 PF certificates

Provenance: Marcel Stanley, Christie's Robson Lowe, December 1992; Lot 136 - sold for £2,700, being the second highest realization from this interesting collection related to the classic portraits of Queen Victoria.

No other cover paying the 8 pence Nova Scotia Inland Postage to Newfoundland has been recorded with a franking consisting of two 1p and two 3p stamps. Six other covers have been reported in the exhaustive census "The Pence Covers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick" by Arfken and Firby, but all are franked with a single 6p (either yellow green or dark green) and two 1p stamps.

A STRIKING AND BEAUTIFUL FRANKING TO NEWFOUNDLAND. QUITE LIKELY A UNIQUE SUCH FRANKING. (Image)

Estimate 6000 $

1854 (February 16) Folded blue cover in immaculate condition to New York, bearing a choice pair of 1p red brown with deep rich colour and a single 3p dark blue on bluish wove paper, all with ample to large margins and tied by oval mute grid cancellations, light file fold at left well away from stamps, Halifax FE 16 dispatch backstamp. A beautiful and remarkably choice cover paying the very scarce Port-to-Port 5 pence British Packet letter rate to New York; clear Boston 18 FEB 5cts circular datestamp further ties the stamps, XF (Unitrade 1, 3)

Expertization: 2018 Greene Foundation certificate

Provenance: "Pipkin", Sissons, June 1974; Lot 278

A MARVELOUS COVER - BEING THE SECOND EARLIEST RECORDED 5 PENCE LETTER RATE TO THE USA. WE WOULD BE SURPRISED IF A FINER EXAMPLE EXISTS. (Image)

Estimate 4000 $

1851 3p Heraldic Engraved Die Proof printed in black, stamp size mounted on thick white card measuring 35 x 35mm; showing characteristic uncleared extension of the corner frame within all value tablets. In an excellent state of preservation and exceptionally fresh; very rarely offered - Argenti stated that only five such proofs are known, VF

A VERY RARE PERKINS BACON & CO (LONDON) DIE PROOF OF THE SIX PENCE HERALDIC; ONE OF ONLY FIVE KNOWN SUCH PROOFS AND HIGHLY DESIRABLE. (Image)

Estimate 5000 $

1851-1857 3p Blue on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A spectacular mint block of four with full sheet margin, also small portion of adjacent stamp at foot, large margins on other three sides, displaying an exceptionally fresh, bright impression; minor natural gum crease mostly in margin, a rare and appealing mint block in an excellent state of preservation and still retaining a large portion of its original gum, XF OG

Expertization: 1968 RPS of London certificate

Provenance: E. Carey Fox, First Portion, H.R. Harmer, Inc. May 1968; Lot 164

A BEAUTIFUL MINT BLOCK OF THE THREE PENCE HERALDIC - MOST DESIRABLE WITH SUPERIOR TRAITS THAT ONE DOES NOT EXPECT TO ENCOUNTER ON THIS ISSUE. (Image)

Cat. Value 12800 $

1851-1857 3p Deep Blue on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate An appealing mint single with ample to noticeably large margins, rich colour and bright impression, trifle disturbed original gum; a premium example of this classic issue, VF OG; 1957 RPS of London certificate, submitted by Nicholas Argenti. (Image)

Cat. Value 3200 $

1851-1857 3p Pale Blue on Blue Wove Paper, Imperforate A remarkable used example with excellent colour on pristine fresh paper, large margined and visually appealing with lightly struck intersecting oval mute grid cancels, pencil signed by expert Giulio Bolaffi on reverse; a lovely stamp in all respects, XF; 1979 BPA cert. ex. Nicholas Argenti (November 1963; Lot 397), "Vaduz" Collection (November 1979; Lot 508) (Image)

Cat. Value 350 $

1855 (December 24) Blue folded lettersheet in datelined "Sydney, CB 24th December 1855", endorsed "P. Packet via Halifax & Liverpool" to Glasgow, Scotland; bearing a superb margined and continuous strip of the 3p deep blue on blue paper, left stamp being diagonally bisected to pay the 7½ pence letter rate to the UK (effective August 1st, 1854). The bisect is ideally tied by an oval mute grid. The strip is further tied by "tombstone" Pkt Letter Liverpool JA 14 56 marking in red, same-ink handstamp "5" for British claim (5d stg). Light central file fold away from stamps; on reverse a North Sydney, CB DE 24 1855 dispatch, oval "H" (Halifax) JA 1 1856 transit and Glasgow JAN 15 1860 arrival postmarks. An exceptional cover, noticeably superior to most 7½ pence covers we have seen, XF (Unitrade 2a)

Unlisted in the Arfken & Firby census book "The Pence Issues of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 1851-1860" - this is now the EARLIEST RECORDED COVER TO SCOTLAND with this particular franking. (Image)

Estimate 3000 $

1857 (May 20) Folded cover from Pictou to Antigonish, endorsed "Money Letter / Registered" in manuscript, bearing large margined examples of the 3p deep blue and 6p yellow green on bluish wove paper, tied by centrally struck oval mute grids; clear Pictou MY 20 1857 and Antigonish MY 22 1857 receiver backstamps. Horizontal file fold and couple minute cover tears well clear of stamps. A visually striking and appealing cover, VF (Unitrade 2, 4)

Expertization: 1963 Alberto Diena and 1964 Giulio Bolaffi certificates

Provenance: Maurice Burrus, Robson Lowe Ltd, November 1962; Lot 1172

A VERY FINE AND ELUSIVE BICOLOUR FRANKING PAYING THE DOMESTIC LETTER RATE PLUS SIX PENCE REGISTRATION FEE. IT HAS RESIDED IN THE HIGHLANDS COLLECTION FOR NEARLY FORTY YEARS. (Image)

Estimate 2000 $

1857 (July 31) An impressive folded cover mailed registered from Antigonish to Little River, Cape Breton, bearing a strip of four of the deep blue shade on blue wove paper, the largest multiple of any shade of the 3 pence Heraldic on cover, remarkably choice being surrounded by unusually large margins, tied by oval mute grid cancels; Antigonish JY 31 1857 double arc dispatch on back; small cover tear at foot and horizontal file fold, a magnificent and very rare double domestic letter rate, plus registration fee of 6 pence; of the utmost rarity and an ideal showpiece, VF (Unitrade 2)

Expertization: 1962 Alberto Diena and 1966 Dr. Giulio Bolaffi certificates

Provenance: Consul Weinberger (December 1989)
Henry Schneider (October 1996; Lot 374) - where it realized a whopping US$22,000 hammer against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 - $7,500.

Only three Nova Scotia pence covers have been reported bearing four examples of the 3 pence:

1) A large folded cover bearing two overlapping pairs, paying double letter rate (6p) + registration fee (6p) mailed from Kentville to Halifax. ex. Alfred Caspary (October 1956; Lot 445), Nicholas Argenti (November 1963; Lot 510), Frederick Mayer (May 2004; Lot 626), "Foxbridge" (John DuPont; 1988 Private Treaty), Warren Wilkinson (March 2011; Lot 10192)

2) The cover offered here; a horizontal strip of four paying double letter rate (6p) + registration fee (6p) mailed to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Please note, this cover is erroneously listed in Arfken & Firby "The Pence Covers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick" census book, under "Nova Scotia covers to New Brunswick".

3) An orange cover bearing two pairs, paying double letter rate (6p) + registration fee (6p) mailed to Saint John, New Brunswick. ex. Dale-Lichtenstein (Sale 5, May 1969; Lot 941), Henry Schneider (October 1996; Lot 375)

A WONDERFUL COVER FRANKED WITH THE LARGEST KNOWN MULTIPLE AND THE ONLY KNOWN STRIP OF FOUR OF THE THREE PENCE HERALDIC. (Image)

Estimate 15000 $

1857 (September 29) Small envelope bearing a lovely example of the 3p dark blue on deeply blued wove paper, full to mostly large margins tied by oval mute grid cancel; Halifax SP 29 dispatch and Amherst OC 1 1857 arrival backstamps; central horizontal fold; pencil signed by experts A. Diena, Giulio Bolaffi and Peter Holcombe, VF; 1998 Peter Holcombe certificate (Unitrade 3) (Image)

Estimate 300 $

1857 (October 6) Envelope from the well-known Ratchford correspondence, mailed from Parrsborough to Liverpool, England and bearing a diagonal bisect of the 3p pale blue on blue wove paper together with a single 6p yellow green; both highly select, large margined and neatly tied to cover by an oval mute grid cancel; couple inconsequential creases and slight soiling to cover only; clear dispatch and oval "H" (Halifax) OC 7 transit backstamps and displaying a well-struck "tombstone" Pkt. Letter Paid Liverpool OC 18 57 datestamp in red at left; pencil signed by experts A. Diena and Giulio Bolaffi, a most appealing cover with an extremely fine 7½ pence franking, VF (Unitrade 2a, 4)

Expertization: 1963 Alberto Diena and 1964 Giulio Bolaffi certificates

Provenance: William L. Moody III, H.R. Harmer (New York), May 1951; Lot 353
Maurice Burrus, Robson Lowe Ltd., November 1962; Lot 1173

ONLY ABOUT A DOZEN, SEVEN AND ONE HALF PENCE COVERS WITH THIS FRANKING HAVE BEEN RECORDED TO ENGLAND. (Image)

Estimate 2500 $

1859 (December 1) Blue folded cover from Amherst to Moncton (Bend of Petitcodiac) bearing an impressive and completely sound 3p pale blue strip of three with well clear to mostly large margins, tied by oval mute grid cancels, endorsed in manuscript "Registered" at left, paying the interprovincial domestic letter rate (3p) plus registration fee (6p) to New Brunswick; on reverse Amherst DE 1, Sackville, NB DE 1 and Bend of Petitcodiac DE 2 arrival datestamps. Light horizontal file fold at foot, well away the stamps. A beautiful and very rarely seen Three pence Heraldic strip of three on cover; pencil signed by experts Sergio Sismondo, Alberto Diena and Giulio Bolaffi, VF (Unitrade 2b)

Expertization: 1966 Alberto Diena, 1966 Giulio Bolaffi and 2004 Sismondo certificates

Provenance: Frederick Mayer, May 2004; Lot 680
Warren Wilkinson, March 2011; Lot 10223

The Arfken & Firby census "The Pence Covers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 1851-1860" lists a mere three known covers addressed to New Brunswick with this registered single-letter rate. The above cover is the EARLIEST AND ONLY KNOWN COVER BEARING THIS FRANKING. The other two are franked with a 3p and 6p dark green, postmarked February 1859 and March 1860 respectively. (Image)

Estimate 3500 $

1859 (December 20) Envelope mailed from Halifax to Dublin, Ireland, bearing a large margined 6p dark green alongside a diagonal bisect of the 3p pale blue with large margins on both sides, both on bluish wove paper and tied by oval grid "H" cancels at Halifax with partially legible DE 20 dispatch and a clear Dublin JA 1 receiver backstamp; slight soiling to cover of no importance. A very scarce franking to Ireland, VF (Unitrade 2a, 5)

Provenance: Warren Wilkinson, March 2011; Lot 10262

One of only five recorded 7½ pence rate covers to Ireland. (Image)

Estimate 3000 $

1860 (April 6) Yellow envelope from Halifax to Batavia, New York, endorsed "Per Steamer" via British Packet to Boston, bearing a lovely pair of 3p bright blue on blue wove paper with full to unusually large margins and tied by oval "H" grid cancels, Halifax AP 6 1860 dispatch CDS on reverse; Boston Br. Pkt APR 9 "5" CDS further ties the pair, manuscript "5ct" denoting the customary postage due by the recipient for delivery of mail beyond Boston. A highly unusual and very rare rate / period cover, ideal for exhibition, VF (Unitrade 2i)

Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein, Sale 2, November 1968; Lot 777
Hiroyuki Kanai "Specialized Nova Scotia", October 1985; Lot 1042
Frederick Mayer, May 2004; Lot 681
Warren Wilkinson, March 2011; Lot 10237

The finer of the two recorded covers, paying 5 pence "Port-to-Port" letter rate to USA, overpaid by 1 penny. The other is ex. "Foxbridge" (John DuPont; Private Treaty 1988)

Originally intended for the 6 pence overland rate to the United States, the cover was put on a Cunard ship to Boston instead. The rate was 5 pence (with 5c US postage due by the recipient). No credit was given for the 1p overpayment. Cover was mailed 6 days after Nova Scotia converted their currency from Pence to decimal (cents and dollars). The former 5 pence "Port-to-Port" via British Packet rate became 10 cents. Pence issues were still used until the arrival of the Cents issue stamps at post offices in early October of 1860. (Image)

Estimate 2000 $

1860 (May 3) Orange envelope from Truro to Pictou, from the famous McKinlay correspondence, endorsed "Registered" and bearing a completely sound and large margined 3p bright blue on blue wove paper strip of three, couple light horizontal folds to envelope only; on reverse Truro MY 3 along with mainly clear Pictou MY 4 arrival datestamps. A visually striking and very scarce rate cover - single letter rate + registration fee (6p) paid solely with 3 pence stamps, VF (Unitrade 2)

Provenance: John McKinlay Correspondence, Kaufmann Auctions, May 1978; Lot 52

Only seven domestic registered covers have been reported bearing three examples of the 3 pence. Postmarked early May 1860, four weeks after Nova Scotia adopted Decimal currency, 9 pence becoming a 15 cent letter rate. Cents issues were only available months later at post offices as of October 1, 1860. (Image)

Estimate 2500 $

1851 6p Heraldic Engraved Die Proof printed in black, stamp size mounted on thick white octagonal card measuring 35 x 35mm; showing the characteristic uncleared extension of the corner frame within all value tablets. In pristine condition, brilliant fresh and exceptionally sharp impression - according to Argenti only three such proofs are known; a wonderful proof of great rarity, VF

Provenance: "Halifax" Collection of Nova Scotia, Christie's (New York), October 1984; Lot 1053
Frederick Mayer, H.R. Harmer (New York), May 2004; Lot 511

AN IMPORTANT DIE PROOF OF THE SIX PENCE HERALDIC PRINTED BY PERKINS BACON & CO. (LONDON); EXTREMELY RARE AND VERY DESIRABLE. (Image)

Estimate 5000 $

1851 6p Yellow Green on Bluish Wove Paper, Imperforate An exceptional mint example of this very elusive classic stamp, surrounded by full margins, possessing amazing true colour retaining its original "bloom" as the day it was printed, mild hinging with large part original gum. An impressive stamp ideal for the advanced collector seeking only the choicest classic stamps available, XF OG

Expertization: 2018 Greene Foundation certificate

A RARELY SEEN MINT SIX PENCE YELLOW GREEN WITH CLEAN ORIGINAL GUM - SUPERIOR TO MOST OF THE FEW KNOWN MINT EXAMPLES. (Image)

Cat. Value 15000 $

1858 (October 18) Red brown envelope from the famous Ruggles correspondence, mailed from Kentville to Bridgetown and bearing a completely sound and full margined diagonal bisect of the 6p yellow green, carefully lifted and replaced, tied by clear oval mute grid cancel; on reverse a neat Kentville OC 18 1858 dispatch along with partially legible Bridgetown OC 19 receiver. Envelope with sealed tear not mentioned in certificate, a beautiful example of the elusive bisect usage of the 6p yellow green paying the single domestic letter rate, VF (Unitrade 4a)

Expertization: 1969 RPS of London certificate

Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein, Sale 5, May 1969; Lot 958 (Image)

Estimate 3000 $