1843 (Oct. 12) Quebec, Canada to Lyon, France. Gray folded letter with red "Quebec L.C. OC 12 1843" origin cds and matching "Paid at Quebec" crown mark and red manuscript "2/" plus "10" totalled to "2/10" stg. or "3/2" cy. rating, endorsed "Per Halifax & Liverpool", carried by Cunard Line Acadia from Halifax to Liverpool, red London "Paid, 30 OC 1843" tombstone and oval "P-D" handstamp, red Boulogne (11.1) entry cds, Lyon (11.3) arrival backstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

The ½ oz. rate to France was 2 shillings (20d for Britain, 2d U.S. share and 2d Canada share) which totals 2s10d cy. and 10d to France (two-times 5d per ¼ oz.) totals to 3s2d cy. Rates according to the G.B.-France postal convention effective Jun. 1st 1843. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1844 (Jan. 4) Toronto, Canada to Paris, France. Datelined folded letter with "Toronto U.C., JA 3 1844" origin cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with red manuscript "2/-" stg. rating or "2/3" cy. rating, red Quebec transit backstamp, ms. indicating Paid to Paris and "2½" cy. debit rating (2d), carried by Cunard Britannia from Halifax to Liverpool, red London "Paid, 19 FE 1844" tombstone and matching oval "P-D" handstamp, red Boulogne entry cds, Very Fine, ex-Steinhart.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1851 (Sep. 4) Halifax, N.S. to Barcelona, Spain. Folded cover with red "Halifax, Paid, Sep 14, 1851, Nova-Scotia" small tombstone, manuscript "3/2" stg. and "4/-" cy. ratings, carried by Cunard Line Canada to Liverpool, red London "Paid, 14 SP 1851" tombstone and matching "PD" oval handstamp, red Calais (9.16) transit cds, red Barcelona (9.20) arrival backstamp and matching red "6.ms" Marvedis and blue "13 Rs." reales handstamps, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A RARE STAMPLESS USE FROM NOVA SCOTIA TO SPAIN.

When internal postal affairs were handed cover from Great Britain to the BNA states, local exchange rates against sterling caused an assessment of sterling charges. These assessments were all made in 1851, Canada April 6th, PEI July 1st, Newfoundland July 1st, New Brunswick July 6th and Nova Scotia July 6th. So, 1s stg. became 1s3d cy. except on PEI where it was rated 1d6d cy. This cover was prepaid the 3s2d stg. rate, or 4s cy., for a ¼-½ oz. letter. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1851, 1852 Nova Scotia to Great Britain. Two unpaid folded letters, 1851 (Dec. 31) Five Islands N.S. to London, England with red "Londonderry N.S. DE 31 1851" backstamp, Halifax (1.1) backstamp and matching "2" d.stg. debit handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Canada to Liverpool, red London (1.19) backstamp and manuscript "1/-" shilling packet rating, other 1852 (Mar. 24) Pictou N.S. to Edinburgh, Scotland with "New-Glasgow, N.S., MA 25 1852" backstamp, Halifax (3.26) backstamp and matching "2" d.stg. debit handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Niagara to Liverpool, rating h.s. crossed out and updated with "1/-" shilling packet due handstamp, red Edinburgh (4.15) arrival backstamp, a Very Fine exhibit pair.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

From July 6th 1851 until July 31st 1854, the Nova Scotia claim for an unpaid letter to the United Kingdom was marked with a 2 pence stg. handstamp at Halifax. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1852 (Mar. 26) Prince Edward Island to London, England. Datelined folded letter showing rimless "Prince Edward Island - Paid" circular handstamp with red crayon "1/-" prepaid packet rating, "Prince Edward Island, Mar 26 1852" rimless backstamp, carried by Cunard Line Niagara from Halifax to Liverpool, red London (4.14) backstamp, manuscript "Regd" and "6" pence due ratings, registry numbers "389" and "43" at top, fresh and Very Fine, ex-Cusworth, Wilkinson.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A RARE TRANSATLANTIC REGISTERED USE FROM PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND TO GREAT BRITAIN.

Registration could not be prepaid in Canada before April 1st 1859. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1853 (c., Feb.) St. John N.B. to London, England. Gray folded cover bearing New Brunswick 1851, 6d olive yellow (2), five singles, one with large margins, rest with mostly large margins to slightly in or touched, each tied by St. John "1" oval grid cancel, carried by Cunard Line Canada to Liverpool arriving Feb. 28th, red London "Paid, 1853, 2 MR" cds ties bottom 6d, Very Fine, ex-Burrus, Foxbridge, Koh, Wilkinson, with 1999 B.P.A. certificate.
Estimate; $25,000 - 35,000.

A REMARKABLE FRANKING PREPAYING TWO-TIMES THE 1S 3D PACKET RATE TO LONDON.

Although the London cds year is indistinct, it is probably 1853 and corresponds to a proper Cunard sailing and double rating. It also could be 1858 with the franking prepaying the quadruple rate to the United Kingdom, since the single rate was halved after August 1, 1854. Est. $25,000-35,000 (Image)

Est. $25,000-35,000

1853 (May 21) Sydney, Cape Breton to Madras, India. Mourning cover bearing Nova Scotia 1851, 6d yellow-green (4) and 1s dull violet (7) horizontal pair, both with beautiful large and well balanced margins, each tied by centrally struck oval grid cancel leaving crown of stamp free as intended with this cancel, reverse with "Sydney, C.B., MY 21 1853" origin and Halifax (5.24) transit cds, red manuscript "1/10" credit rating, carried by Cunard Line Cambria to Liverpool arriving Jun. 6th, red London "Paid, 7 Jun" transit cds, then carried by P&O Euxine to Malta, P&O Indus to Alexandria and with Pekin via Galle to Madras arriving Jul. 10th, red framed "G.P.O." backstamp, Very Fine, Illustrated in the 1971 Anphilex catalog., ex-Lichtenstein, Cornwallis, Halifax, Mayer, Gross, with 1982 R.P.S.L. certificate.
Estimate; $75,000 - 100,000.

THE FINEST NOVA SCOTIA COVER TO INDIA, SIMPLY A STUNNING FIRST ISSUE USAGE.

The cover was prepaid 2s6d cy. for the published rate via Southampton to India. The red manuscript "1/10" credit rating to the U.K. though, corresponds to the rate for a letter from the U.K. to India via Marseilles with closed mail. Est. $75,000-100,000 (Image)

Est. $75,000-100,000

1854 (Jun. 9) Halifax, N.S. to Baltinglass, Ireland. Cover bearing Nova Scotia 1851, 3d dark blue (3) and 1s dull violet (7), both with four mostly large margins, reverse with "Halifax-Nova-Scotia, JU 9, 1854" origin cds and red manuscript "10" credit rating, carried by Cunard Line America to Liverpool, red "Pkt. Letter, Paid, Liverpool, JU 19, 1854" tombstone cancels stamps, reverse with red London (6.20) and blue Newbridge transit cds; light central fold, Very Fine, ex-Lichtenstein, Halifax, Mayer, Wilkinson, with 1970 R.P.S.L. certificate.
Estimate; $50,000 - 75,000.

A WONDERFUL NOVA SCOTIA 1S DULL VIOLET USE TO IRELAND. Est. $50,000-75,000 (Image)

Est. $50,000-75,000

1855 (Dec. 27) Pictou N.S. to Edinburgh, Scotland. Folded cover bearing Nova Scotia 1851, 3d dark blue, bisected (3a) and 6d yellow green (4), both with large margins, tied together by two strikes of oval grid cancel over manuscript "Paid 7½" rating, reverse with Pictou (12.27) origin and Halifax (12.29) backstamps, carried by Cunard Line Asia from Halifax to Liverpool arriving Jan. 14th, stamps tied by partial strike of red Liverpool "Pkt. Letter Paid, JA 14" tombstone, matching reddish "5" credit handstamp denoting British share, Edinburgh (1.15) arrival backstamp; 3d hinged in place, Very Fine, ex-Kanai, Mayer, with 2004 Sismondo, 1973 and 2007 R.P.S.L. certificates.
Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED SO-CALLED "HOUSE COVERS" WITH THE 3D DARK BLUE BISECT.

The other recorded "House Cover" with the 3d dark blue bisect is in combination with the 6d dark green. Est. $5,000-7,500 (Image)

Est. $5,000-7,500

1856 (Jun. 19) North Sydney, Cape Breton to London, England. Cover bearing on reverse Nova Scotia, 1851 3d dark blue (3, 3a) horizontal strip of two and bisect se-tenant, full to large margins, tied by strikes of oval grid cancel, reverse also with "North-Sydney, C.B., JU 16 1856" origin cds and Halifax (6.24) oval transit, latter also ties strip, red "5" d.stg. credit to G.B. handstamp, carried by Cunard Line America from Halifax to Liverpool, red London "Paid, 14 JY 1856" arrival cds; cover opened on three sides for display, Very Fine, with 1976 E. Diena certificate.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

A CHOICE NOVA SCOTIA 1851 3D DARK BLUE BISECT SE-TENANT STRIP PREPAYING THE 7½D TRANSATLANTIC PACKET RATE TO GREAT BRITAIN. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

1856 (Jun. 21) Goderich, Canada to Newtownards, Ireland. Cover with "Goderich, U.C., Jun 21 1853" cds, Hamilton red "PAID 6^d stg. 7½^d C^y." straightline exchange handstamp, London U.C. (6.24) and Quebec (6.27) backstamps, endorsed "Via Halifax" but actually carried by Allan Line Anglo Saxon to Liverpool arriving Jul. 16th, red "Pkt. Letter, Paid, Liverpool, JY 16 1856" tombstone postmark, "BY-CANADIAN/PACKET" two-line handstamp, green Newtownards (7.18) backstamp; some wear and backflap tear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1858 (Feb. 11) Simcoe, Canada to Andover, England. Cover bearing Canada 1852, 3¢ brown red (4a) tied by Simcoe "43" four-ring cancel, "Simcoe, FE11 1858" origin cds, manuscript "More to Pay 4½d." rating, Hamilton (2.12) transit backstamp and ms. rating crossed out and updated with "6" d.stg. due (7½d.cy.) handstamp struck, carried by Cunard Arabia to Liverpool arriving Feb. 28th, reverse with "Pkt.Letter, Liverpool, FE 28" tombstone, red London (3.1) cds and Andover (3.2) arrival cds, F.-V.F., ex-Richardson, Steinhart.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

The rate for a cover from Canada to the United Kingdom by British packet was 8d stg., or 10d cy. This cover was partially paid 3d cy. and marked final due of 6d. stg. (or 7½d cy.) rounded up. The rate was effective from March 23, 1854. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1859 (Jul. 25) Richibucto N.B. to Durham, England. Blue folded cover bearing New Brunswick, 1851 3d red (1, 1b) horizontal strip of two and bisect se-tenant, full margins all around, each tied by sharp strikes of Richibucto "23" oval grid cancels, reverse with Richibucto (7.25) origin and Sackville (7.26) transit cds, red "7½ Cy." in circle credit handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Canada from Halifax to Liverpool arriving Aug. 6th, blue Sutherland (8.7) arrival backstamp; central file fold and some small edge flaws not affecting strip, Very Fine, ex-Clayton, Maritimus, with 1959 R.P.S.L. certificate.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A RARE NEW BRUNSWICK 1851 3D RED BISECT SE-TENANT STRIP PREPAYING THE 7½D TRANSATLANTIC PACKET RATE TO GREAT BRITAIN. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1862 (Feb. 20) Halifax, N.S. to London, England. "International Exhibition, R.G. Haliburton, Sec'y of Provincial Commissioners" envelope with "Feby 20/62" docketing at left and bearing Nova Scotia, 12½¢ black (13) horizontal pair, tied by "A95" mailboat cancels as posted at the ship's box of Cunard America from Halifax to Queenstown arriving Mar. 4th, red London Paid (3.5) arrival cds, remailed locally to 11St James Place S.W. with G.B. 1d red, star, alphabet IV, plate 50, two singles, each tied by "London, E.C., MR 6 62" duplex and additional strike ties 12½¢ pair; small edge tear, right 12½¢ small flaws, Very Fine, ex-Lichtenstein, with 1969 B.P.A. certificate.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

A REMARKABLE NOVA SCOTIA-GREAT BRITAIN COMBINATION USE POSTED IN THE CUNARD SHIP'S BOX WITH "A97" MAILBOAT CANCELS. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

1862 (Jun. 9) St. John, N.B. to Liverpool, England. Blue folded letter bearing N.B. 1860, 12½ blue (10) tied by St. John "1" oval grid cancel, St. John (6.9) backstamp, endorsed "Via Halifax", carried by Cunard Line Europa from Halifax to Queenstown, Liverpool (6.22) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, signed with "W.H.C." (Colson" backstamp, with 2016 Greene Foundation certificate.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

With the introduction of the new currency, the rate was 12½¢. The same rate applied to letters sent with the Canadian Mail Packet unless sent via Portland in winter when the rate was 17¢ (inclusive of U.S. transit postage of 4¢). Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1863 (Apr. 1) Bend of Petitcodiac, N.B. to Liverpool, England. Orange cover bearing N.B. 1860 12½¢ blue (10), tied by oval grid cancel, reverse with Bend of Petitcodiac (4.1) and Sackville backstamps, red "New Brunswick Paid" script straightline, carried by Cunard Line Canada from Halifax to Queenstown arriving Apr. 25th, Liverpool (4.27) arrival backstamp; flap torn, 12½¢ trivial toned perf, a Very Fine 12½¢ packet rate use, ex-Lichtenstein, Wilkinson.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1864 (Jun. 26) Halifax, N.S. to Christchurch, New Zealand. Cover bearing Nova Scotia 1d black (8), 2¢ lilac (9) and 10¢ vermilion (12) vertical pair, all tied by Halifax "H" grid cancels, matching Halifax (6.26) origin backstamp, carried by Cunard Line China from Halifax to Queenstown arriving Jul. 1st, red London Paid (7.2) transit cds, then by P&O Ceylon to Alexandria, P&O Mooltan to Galle, P&O Bombay to Sydney arriving Aug. 11th, rimless Christcurch (9.16) arrival cds, manuscript "10" rating; 1¢ faulty from placement over edge, couple small edge tears, Fine, ex-Chadbourne, Carr, with 1993 B.P.A. certificate.
Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE USE FROM NOVA SCOTIA TO NEW ZEALAND AT THE 23¢ PREPAID RATE.

Cover was prepaid at the 23¢ rate to New Zealand published in 1860 and valid until July 10th 1864. Est. $5,000-7,500 (Image)

Est. $5,000-7,500

1865 (Aug. 14) Halifax, N.S. to Dover, England. Cover docketed "Aug 14th" at lower left and bearing Nova Scotia 1860, 12½¢ black (13) tied by oval grid cancel, carried by Cunard Line Asia from Halifax to Queenstown arriving Aug. 27th, Dover (8.29) arrival cds, forwarded to Leamington upon arrival, reverse with Dover (8.29), London (8.29) and Leamington (8.29) backstamps; minor perf toning, partial flap, a Fine use at the 12½¢ transatlantic packet rate.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400