1851, 3d Black, Plate Proof on Card. Horizontal pair, margins all around, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, Pilkington, Koh, with 1986 B.P.A. certificate.
Scott No. 2TC4 var.; Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED MULTIPLE IN PRIVATE HANDS, A GREAT RARITY.

The Tapling collection contains a block of four. Singles are exceptionally rare. Est. $4,000-6,000 (Image)

Est. $4,000-6,000

1851, 6d Black, Plate Proof on Card. Bottom left corner margin block of 25; hint of toning mostly in margin, some light creasing mostly in margin, some trivial hinge thinning, Very Fine, ex-Hicks, Mayer. SG No. 5.
Scott No. 4TC4; Estimate $6,000 - 8,000.

A REMARKABLE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER PLATE PROOF BLOCK OF 25. Est. $6,000-8,000 (Image)

Est. $6,000-8,000

1851, 6d Black, Plate Proof on Card, Overprinted "SPECIMEN.". Block of nine with diagonal "Specimen." overprint, rows 3/5, margins all around, Very Fine and choice, ex-Koh. SG No. 5 var.
Scott No. 4TC4S; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

A RARE 1851 6D BLACK PLATE PROOF "SPECIMEN" BLOCK OF NINE.

There are only one other block of four and a block of 16 known with the "Specimen." overprint. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

1851, 1s Black, Plate Proof on Card, Overprinted "Specimen". Vertical pair with partial overprint, margins all around; some trivial light toning, still Very Fine, ex-Argenti, Koh. SG No. 7 var.
Scott No. 7TC4S; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED 1851 1S BLACK PLATE PROOF ON CARD "SPECIMEN" PAIR, ONLY TWO OTHER SINGLES SHOWING THE OVERPRINT ARE RECORDED. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1851, 1d to 1s Reprints on Thin Hard White Paper. Matching bottom left corner margin blocks of four, exceedingly fresh, without gum as issued, Extremely Fine, a beautiful set of reprint blocks.
Scott No. 1R/7R; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.

Reprints were made in 1890 on the authority of Mr. Haggart, Postmaster General of Canada and the plate subsequently destroyed. Probably five sheets were pulled (Lichtenstein in 1938 mentioned six sheets of the 1d, the sheet consisted of 120 stamps only compared to 160 in the other values). Most of these reprints were passed to Hon. W.S. Fielding when Minister of Finance (Premier of Nova Scotia 1884 to 1896). Senator Calder and Lichtenstein purchased the reprints from his estate in 1929. One set in sheets was given to the Royal Philatelic Society, London on April 7th 1938 when Lichtenstein gave a display on Nova Scotia. After keeping examples for their collections the balance was sold to R. Roberts of London who split them. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1851, 6d Yellow Green, Bisected. Right half of diagonal bisect with large margins, tied by rimless oval grid cancel on cover to Bridgetown, reverse with Wilmot (8.6) origin and Bridgetown (8.6) arrival datestamps, 1856 docketing at left; trivial flap tear, Extremely Fine, with 1988 Calves (handstamp) and 2008 Eichele certificates. SG No. 5a.
Scott No. 4a; Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.

A GEM DIAGONAL BISECT USE OF THE 1851 6D YELLOW GREEN PREPAYING THE 3D SINGLE LETTER RATE. Est. $4,000-6,000 (Image)

Est. $4,000-6,000

1860-63, 1¢-12¢ Cents Issue Complete. Exhibit balance including singles, a pair and blocks of four including 8Pii,iv se-tenant block of four, 8TCii block of four, 9TCi block of four, 10P block of four, 10TCii block of four, 12Pi,ii se-tenant block of four, 13Pi,ii se-tenant block of four, 13TC pair, etc, a Very Fine group. SG No. 9/17a.
Scott No. 8-13; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1860, 2¢ Black, Die Proof on India. 32x52mm, die number "354" amended in pencil to "412" and "American Bank Note Co." imprint below; two tiny holes with one barely affecting design, otherwise Very Fine and rare, ex-Koh.
Scott No. 9P; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED 2¢ DIE PROOF IN BLACK ON INDIA IN PRIVATE HANDS.

Two examples of this 1860 2¢ Die Proof in Black surfaced in the American Bank Note archives, the other was retained by the Canadian Postal Museum. See Argenti on page 176 where he speculated that such a proof might exist. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

1860-63, 5¢ Blue, Plate Proof on India, Red "SPECIMEN." Overprints. Block of eight, mounted on card, top row with type A long overprints, bottom row with type B short thin overprints, margins all around, a Very Fine se-tenant multiple. Unitrade No. 10Pi, ii C$650 ($500).
Scott No. 10P var.; Estimate $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1860-63, 8½¢ Black, Red "SPECIMEN." Overprints. Block of four, mounted on card, top row (pos. 3-4) with thin short overprint, bottom row (pos. 8-9) with thick short overprint, block of 4, Very Fine. Unitrade No. 11TCi, ii C$375 ($290).
Scott No. 11TC; Estimate $250 - 350. Est. $250-350 (Image)

Est. $250-350

1860-63, 8½¢ Dark Green, Plate Proof on India. Bottom right corner block of 12 showing imprint at right and bottom, mounted on card; slight abrasion at top affects top right position, still exceptionally fresh and Very Fine. SG No. 14. Unitrade No. 11Pi C$1,200+ ($920).
Scott No. 11P; Estimate $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1860-63, 10¢ Vermilion, Plate Proof on India. Block of 9, positions 21-23/31-33/41-43, large margins; couple small flaws including pinhole in pos. 42 and slight thin 21/31, fresh and Very Fine appearance. Unitrade No. 12P C$630 ($480).
Scott No. 12P; Estimate $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1860-63, 10¢ Black, Gold "SPECIMEN." Overprint. Block of four, margins all around, Very Fine and rare gold overprint, ex-Koh. Unitrade No. 12TCv C$1,600 ($1,230).
Scott No. 12TC; Estimate $600 - 800. Est. $600-800 (Image)

Est. $600-800

1860, 12½¢ Black, Die Proof on India. 40x50mm, with "American Bank Note Co." imprint and die stock number "94"; some India paper flaws at top, Fine.
Scott No. 13P; Estimate $250 - 350. Est. $250-350 (Image)

Est. $250-350

1860-63, 1¢-5¢ Cover Balance. Group of four covers comprising #8 used on circular from Halifax to Yarmouth at the 1¢ printed matter rate, #9 on cover to Wilmot, #9 on blue cover from Halifax to Windsor sent at the 2¢ county rate though outside of Halifax County and not taxed on arrival, and #10 on cover from Yarmouth to Lockes Island, F.-V.F.
Scott No. 8-10; Estimate $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1860-63, 10¢ Vermilion, Horizontally Bisected. Top half with rich color, tied by bold oval grid cancel on blue cover to Sherbrooke, St. Mary, reverse with Halifax (3.23.1867) origin cds and Sherbrooke (3.25) arrival cds; part of backflap missing, Very Fine, ex-Pack, Carnegie. SG No. 28a.
Scott No. 12b; Estimate $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1792-1863, Transatlantic Mail via Halifax by Falmouth Packet. Group of 17 covers by Falmouth packet except two ship letters, includes 1792 (Jul., 17) Halifax split double-circle by Sandwich to London;1805 (Jul. 25) Halifax two-line postmark by Princess Amelia to London, 1811 (Jan. 25) Sackville N.B. by Adventure to Yorkshire, England; 1815 (May 23) Halifax private ship letter to Liverpool with contents mentioning Napoleon (Napoleon had left Elba on Mar. 20th 1815); 1816 (Aug. 28) Forres, Scotland to Halifax; 1822 (Jul. 5) Hampton (Middx.) via London by Francis Feeling to Lunenburg N.S.; 1824 (May 14) Bath, England to Halifax with "Too Late" handstamp; etc.; some interesting ratings and markings, excellent basis for expansion, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

1845-1863, Transatlantic Mail via Halifax by Cunard Line. Group of 8 including 1845 (Oct. 3) Liverpool by Hibernia to Lower Harbor N.S. with "1s/4dCy." in circle handstamp; 1849 (Aug. 24) Liverpool by Niagara to Pictou N.S.; 1852 (Apr. 10) Sydney C.B. by Canada to London; 1854 (Jul. 31) Lunenburg N.S. by Niagara to London; 1855 (Nov. 8) Halifax to Edinburgh; 1863 (Apr. 15) Bonn, Rehish Prussia to Bridgetown N.S., etc.; some flaws, interesting group, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1735 (Oct. 29) Louisbourg, French Nova Scotia to Rochefort, France. Folded letter datelined "louis bourg, le 29 octobre 1735" carried by French ship to France, entered mails with "ROCHEFORT" straightline and manuscript "6" sols due rating, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $15,000 - 20,000.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER FROM FRENCH NOVA SCOTIA, AND THE EARLIEST RECORDED FROM ALL OF NEW FRANCE.

Steinhart notes the earliest letter from French Nova Scotia for 1755 and the earliest cover with a postmark from all of New France as 1749. This usage is by far the earliest.

In 1745, New Englanders attacked Louisbourg and with the help of the British Fleet and four warships under the command of Commodore Warren Louisbourg surrendered on 17th June 1745. It was again given back to France in the peace of Aachen on October 18th 1748. Est. $15,000-20,000 (Image)

Est. $15,000-20,000

"A Regimental Court Martial in Sr. Wm. Pepperrells Regiment, Louisbourg, May 23rd 1748". Letter describing court martial signed by Capt. Wooster as President concerning "Robert White of Capt. Woosters Compy confin'd by Sergt. Hotchkiss for Striking and abusing him" and goes on in detail concerning the event and a second "Corpl. Morrison of Capt. Boyles Compy confin'd by the Governors Order for disobedience of Orders, both were found guilty and given 50 and 100 lashes respectively; file folds, Very Fine.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

William Pepperrell was one of several people who proposed an expedition against the French Fortress of Louisbourg. He gathered volunteers, financed and trained the land forces in that campaign. When they sailed in April 1745, he was commander-in-chief, supported by a British naval squadron under Captain Peter Warren, appointed Commodore on a temporary basis. They besieged Louisbourg, then the strongest coastal fortification in North America and captured it on June 16th after a six-week siege. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1751 (Feb. 12) Annapolis Royal N.S. to Boston Mass. Datelined folded letter to Thomas Hancock carried privately by ship, sender was merchants Daniel and George Dyson promising prompt payment after "many disappointments" to Hancock, the famous Boston merchant whose nephew was founding father John Hancock, Very Fine, ex-Steinhart, Rathbun.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

THE SECOND EARLIEST LETTER IN PRIVATE HANDS FROM THE BRITISH PART OF NOVA SCOTIA.

This letter was datelined "Annapolis Royal Feb. 12th 1750 / 1", the double year notations appearing before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, moving the date eleven days ahead on September 2, 1752 (followed by Sep. 14, 1752, indicating the previous year in January to March of a subsequent year. If this letter had been written on the Gregorian calendar, the date would have read "Feb. 23, 1751". Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1752 (Nov. 14) Halifax, N.S. to London, England. Folded letter written by Col. Perguine T. Hopson, 2nd Governor of Nova Scotia at Halifax carried across the Atlantic by Admiralty Ship Torrington landing at Bristol, reverse with Bristol "B" postmark and manuscript "6" pence due rating, London "26/FE" Bishop mark backstamp; small edge tear, Very Fine, ex-MacDonald.
Estimate; $4,000 - 7,500.

AN IMPORTANT LETTER WRITTEN BY COL. PERGUINE T. HOPSON AS 2ND GOVERNOR OF NOVA SCOTIA AT HALIFAX.

The "Torrington" carried Cornwallis home. Hopson had commanded Louisbourg and handed it back to the French. He served for 15 months only as illness forced his return to England. He was best known for relatively fair treatment of Acadians and the settlement of Germans at Lunenburg. Hobson is perhaps best known for signing the Peace Treaty of 1752 with Mi'kmaq chief Jean-Baptiste Cope which is celebrated (along with other treaties) every year by Nova Scotians on Treaty Day. Est. $4,000-7,500 (Image)

Est. $4,000-7,500

1757 (Jul. 15) Halifax, N.S. via New York to London, England. Datelined folded letter carried as endorsed from New York by packet Harriott to Great Britain, manuscript "1N" shilling packet due rating, the letter was written by Captain James Campbell of the Squadron of Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York, he mentions "Admiral Holbourne with his Fleet and Transports are all arrived and we make a formidable appearance", some staining and fold splitting, Fine, Illustrated in Jephcott, Green and Young., ex-Maritimus.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

AN IMPORTANT LETTER WRITTEN BY CAPTAIN JAMES CAMPBELL DURING THE 1757 BRITISH EXPEDITION AGAINST LOUISBOURG, WHICH RESULTED IN THE 1858 FINAL BRITISH SIEGE AT LOUISBOURG.

A regular packet service to North America was established in October 1755. The first packet left Falmouth for New York on November 15th and from then on every 2nd Saturday of the month. The rate was 1 shilling and had to be prepaid from London. Mail between Halifax and New York was despatched as opportunity offered.

British preparations for the expedition against Louisbourg began March 18 to 27, with Loudon preparing 90 transport vessels in Boston, New York and Philadelphia with Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York commissioned as Rear-Admiral. They sailed via Sandy Hook to Halifax arriving June 30th without opposition. This letter was written while encamped at Halifax awaiting word from vessels sent to reconnoitre the harbor of Louisbourg. Holbourne's fleet arrived at Halifax on July 7th. As a result of the report, an attempt to attack Louisbourg was abandoned on August 4th 1757 as it was believed the French forces in Louisbourg were too strong. The following year, the British bombarded Louisbourg for two months and the city fell on July 27th 1758. 13,000 soldiers and the British Fleet under Admiral Boscawen had fought against the French. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

1763 (Aug. 18) Groton Mass. to Annapolis Royal N.S. Datelined folded letter carried privately by ship, Oliver Prescott writes: "I should have wrote to you much oftener if I could have found a conveyance", some toning and significant edge splitting, Fine, ex-MacDonald.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

POSSIBLY THE EARLIEST CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COLONY IN PRIVATE HANDS.

Oliver Prescott (1731-1804) was a colonial-era physician, soldier and judge. The letter is addressed to Henry Evans who had led a group of 47 people from Massachusetts to settle on land in the Annapolis Valley that was vacant after the Acadians were expelled in 1755. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1772 (Apr. 3) Eglinton N.S. to Kellelaga, Scotland via Boston and New York. Folded letter with "Eglinton, April 3, 1772" dateline and instructions for directing a return letter to "the Windsor road 24 miles from Halifax", sent by private ship to Boston where faint magenta "BOSTON" straightline and Franklin mark struck, manuscript "To pay 10d" for mailing to New York, flap with "NEW / YORK" two-line handstamp, carried to London by New York-Falmouth packet, reverse with London "20/IY" Bishop mark and front with "IND. AND PACT./ POSTAGE" two-line handstamp and "1N10" rating, forwarded to Scotland with "In All 2N4" total due; edge wear and splits along folds reinforced with hinges, Very Fine, A rare Canadian routing through the United States to Scotland. ex-Steinhart, Siskin, Robertson.
Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000.

AN OUTSTANDING NOVA SCOTIA TO SCOTLAND CROSS-BORDER COVER THROUGH BOSTON AND NEW YORK WITH THE RARE "IND. AND PACT. POSTAGE" STRAIGHTLINE HANDSTAMP.

The letter was carried by private ship to Boston, entered the post to New York with the rating "To Pay 10d Stg" for 200-300 miles, carried to London by the Falmouth packet, London "IND. AND PACT. POSTAGE" handstamp and 1 shilling 10 pence rating for the combined British 1 shilling packet rate plus 10 pence American internal postage, forwarded to Scotland and re-rated 2 shillings 4 pence collect. One of Only a few recorded examples of this style "Ind. and Pact. Postage" handstamp and, most likely, the only cross border usage. Est. $7,500-10,000 (Image)

Est. $7,500-10,000