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William H. Gross Collection of Important Postage Stamps and Postal History of British North America

CANADA 1851 PENCE ISSUES
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
201 ng 1 1, 1851 3p Red on laid paper, an extraordinarily rare unused example, completely sound, featuring a marvelous overall freshness, with deep luxuriant color and a highly detailed impression on fresh paper displaying strong identifiable laid lines,#1, 1851 3p Red on laid paper, an extraordinarily rare unused example, completely sound, featuring a marvelous overall freshness, with deep luxuriant color and a highly detailed impression on fresh paper displaying strong identifiable laid lines, four large and wonderfully well balanced margins, extremely fine.This magnificent stamp is in a quality unmatched by any other we could find in any of the most important collections of Canada ever formed. Even the incomparable Dale-Lichtenstein collection did not have a mint/unused example of this quality. What few unused or mint examples exist are invariably found poorly margined and have varying degrees of faults. Devoid of any flaws and possessing outstanding physical attributes, this stamp ranks as one of the premier classic condition rarities of Canada.An essential stamp for the finest collection. Far rarer than the famous Twelve Pence Black in unused condition. Accompanied by a 1992 V.G. Greene certificate; ex-Cloutier (Unitrade C$60,000.00). (Image) $20,000.00

SOLD for $47,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
202 c 1 1, 1851 3p Red on laid paper, horizontal strip of four, pane A, positions 31-34, position 34 displaying a major re-entry, large margins all around except just cutting frame at right, deep rich color, tied by four neat target cancels to blue#1, 1851 3p Red on laid paper, horizontal strip of four, pane A, positions 31-34, position 34 displaying a major re-entry, large margins all around except just cutting frame at right, deep rich color, tied by four neat target cancels to blue colored 1851 folded letter to Buffalo, N.Y., red "Montreal, L.C./SE 25 1851" origin c.d.s. at bottom left, excellent strike of red "CANADA" exchange handstamp in framed arc below strip, two vertical file folds, one of which passes through third stamp in the strip, otherwise very fine; a very scarce and desirable first issue franking, being one of only seven covers recorded showing this rate and franking, bearing the laid paper printing; ex-Fox, Nickle. (Image) Est. $3,000-4,000

SOLD for $4,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
203 og 2 2, 1851 6p Slate violet on laid paper, a magnificent quality mint example, being one of just a few recorded examples, boasting exceptional physical characteristics, including prooflike color and impression on fresh paper which show distinctive l#2, 1851 6p Slate violet on laid paper, a magnificent quality mint example, being one of just a few recorded examples, boasting exceptional physical characteristics, including prooflike color and impression on fresh paper which show distinctive laid lines, four full to very large margins all around, including a partial sheet margin at right, part o.g., trivial h.r., extremely fine.The 1851 Six Pence issue on laid paper is one of Canada's rarest and most difficult mint stamps. Very few examples exist unused, let alone with original gum. Fewer still exist completely sound. To find one that possesses both original gum and is completely without faults is next to impossible to find. In fact, a thorough review of past famous name sales of important Canadian stamps reveals no other example which competes with this remarkable stamp.Acquired privately in 2003 when Mr. Gross purchased the legendary John Chapin collection of United States and Canadian stamps intact. Accompanied by a 1977 PF certificate (Unitrade C$120,000.00). (Image) $32,500.00

SOLD for $65,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
204 c 2 2, 1851 6p Slate violet on laid paper, six singles applied side-by-side (resembling a strip) all tied together and to an extraordinary 1854 cover to London, England by target cancels, stamps all with largely ample to mostly large margins, deep r#2, 1851 6p Slate violet on laid paper, six singles applied side-by-side (resembling a strip) all tied together and to an extraordinary 1854 cover to London, England by target cancels, stamps all with largely ample to mostly large margins, deep rich color, first stamp with 7mm sealed tear at top, second stamp with a horizontal crease and a small nick at top right corner, "Montreal, L.C./SP 13 1854" c.d.s. at bottom left, red London "Paid/EY/2 OC 2 1854" arrival c.d.s on front, some edge wear to cover whose edges have been slightly refolded, overall very fine.A most remarkable 36 pence total franking. It was sent by closed bag to New York and from there it was carried by the Cunard ship "Africa". This is the largest recorded laid paper franking known on cover and is one of the most spectacular Pence covers extant.This cover has graced several of the most important collections of early Canadian postal history ever formed; ex-Jarrett, Chan, Nickle, Richardson, "Carrington" and Robertson. (Image) Est. $20,000-30,000

SOLD for $37,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
205 c 2 2, 1851 6p Slate violet on laid paper, striking single, with an intense shade and a prooflike impression, large margins all around except close at one small point at top left, tied by a target cancel to a fresh white cover to a Mrs. Francis Park#2, 1851 6p Slate violet on laid paper, striking single, with an intense shade and a prooflike impression, large margins all around except close at one small point at top left, tied by a target cancel to a fresh white cover to a Mrs. Francis Parkman in Boston, Mass., choice strike of red "Montreal, L.C./DE 13 1852" c.d.s. at bottom left and matching red "CANADA" exchange handstamp in framed arc, very fine; an unusually choice and desirable 1851 Six Pence cover; ex-Green, "Guilford". (Image) Est. $1,500-2,000

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
206 c 2 2, 6p Grayish purple on laid paper, two four-margin singles tied to handsome double weight 1852 steamboat folded letter to Philadelphia, stamps are just tied by light central strikes of target cancels, beautiful strike of Steam-Boat-LetterQueb#2, 6p Grayish purple on laid paper, two four-margin singles tied to handsome double weight 1852 steamboat folded letter to Philadelphia, stamps are just tied by light central strikes of target cancels, beautiful strike of "Steam-Boat-Letter/Quebec/Sp 4 1852" rimless c.d.s. at bottom left (Boggs type IV), arched "PAID" and "CANADA" markings both in red and well struck on face, red Montreal transit c.d.s. on reverse, light vertical file fold passes through left stamp, still a very fine and eye-appealing Pence issue cover; illustrated in Boggs (page 684); ex-Dale-Lichtenstein. (Image) Est. $1,500-2,000

SOLD for $3,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
CANADA 1851 12 PENCE BLACK ISSUE
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
207 og 3 3, 1851 12p Black on laid paper, an absolutely superb mint example of this legendary classic rarity, brilliantly fresh and crisp overall, with intense color and a highly detailed impression, four large and wonderfully well balanced margins, imma#3, 1851 12p Black on laid paper, an absolutely superb mint example of this legendary classic rarity, brilliantly fresh and crisp overall, with intense color and a highly detailed impression, four large and wonderfully well balanced margins, immaculate full original gum which has been only very lightly hinged, an extremely fine gem in every regard.The Twelve Pence Black of Canada has an interesting history which accounts for its iconic status. The original die was engraved by Alfred Jones and the stamps were printed by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edison - the printers of the 1847 first issues of the United States.A total of 51,000 stamps (255 sheets each of 200 subjects), along with a proof imprint sheet, were shipped to Canadian postal authorities on May 14, 1851. However, the stamp proved to be quite unpopular with the public due to its limited usage for specific postal rates to distant destinations. Hence it saw limited distribution, with shipments being sent to only eighteen Post Offices. Only a mere 1,450 stamps were ever sold in over three and a half years of use. All remaining stamps were destroyed on May 1, 1857.A spectacular quality original gum example of one of the world's rarest stamps. The catalog value quoted in Scott of $110,000.00 does not even come close to this stamp's true market value given several factors. First, we have had the pleasure of selling two especially choice used examples over the last couple of years in our auctions and they realized $205,000.00 (hammer price) in 2006 and $120,000.00 in 2009 respectively, despite cataloging far less. Mint examples, especially with original gum, are far more rare than used copies. The last original gum premium quality example to sell at auction was in the May 2006 Sotheby's sale of the famous collection formed by Sir Gawaine Baillie. It was a lovely example but not quite as well margined as the example offered here from the Gross collection. It realized $195,000.00 hammer, plus a 15% buyer's premium for a total of $224,250.00. Accompanied by 1981 Peter Holcombe and 1986 Enzo Diena certificates both describing this stamp as a perfect example of this rarity; ex-Melat (Unitrade C$300,000.00). (Image) $110,000.00

SOLD for $260,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
CANADA 1851 12 PENCE BLACK COVER
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
208 c 3 3, 1851 12p Black on laid paper, a choice single featuring large margins all around and especially intense color and impression, wonderfully and unquestionably tied by excellent strike of a target cancel on double-rate 1852 folded letter to New#3, 1851 12p Black on laid paper, a choice single featuring large margins all around and especially intense color and impression, wonderfully and unquestionably tied by excellent strike of a target cancel on double-rate 1852 folded letter to New York City, displaying "Montreal, L.C./JY 21 1852" origin c.d.s., matching "Canada" exchange handstamp in arc, as well as "Paid" handstamp, all in red, part of top back panel missing and unobtrusive sealed tear from bottom of cover extending to second line of address, neither of which affects this extremely fine and spectacular cover.This is, unquestionably, one of the most important covers not only of British North America, but of the entire world. There are only seven recorded existing covers, however only three or four can be conclusively stated to be genuine with full confidence, as some either do not have the stamp tied or the cancellations are nebulous. The cover offered here from the Gross collection is the finest of the three or four fully tied examples. Not only has this cover graced the album pages of some of the finest collections of Canada ever formed, but it has also been illustrated on several occasions as one of the premier rarities of the country, including in Boggs (p. 137) and in "A Special Exhibition of Greatest Covers from the Collections of Alfred F. Lichtenstein and Louise Boyd Dale", exhibition catalog, The Philatelic Foundations' Fiftieth Anniversary, November 6, 1995.Accompanied by a 1995 BPA certificate; ex-Worthington, Dale-Lichtenstein, Nickle, "Foxbridge", "K.L." and Robertson.Summary of the seven recorded covers (by date of usage):1852 MR 16 Montreal to Kennedy, NY, NY; 2003 Brandon certificate1852 JY 19 Hamilton to Kennedy, NY, NY; ex-"Foxbridge, Weill Brothers; illustrated in Boggs1852 JY 21 Montreal to Paton, NY, NY; ex-Worthington, Dale-Lichtenstein, Nickle, "Foxbridge", "K.L." and Robertson; illustrated in Boggs, Jarrett; BPA certificate - the cover offered here1853 DE 8 Hamilton to Kennedy, NY, NY; ex-Seybold, Wellburn1856 SP 1 Hamilton to Gosport, England; V.G. Greene certificate (a very late usage)185(?) DE 19 Toronto to McMaster, NY, NY; ex-Pipkin, illustrated in Boggs; RPSL certificate185(?) Toronto Feb 1 (?) to Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, Edson, NY, NY; ex-Dale-Lichtenstein (imagea) (Image) Est. $200,000-250,000

SOLD for $250,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
CANADA 1852-1859 PENCE ISSUES
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
209 c 4 4, 1852 3p Red on medium wove paper, a handsome horizontal strip of four tied to an immaculate blue colored 1854 folded letter from Montreal to Waterbury, the strip possessing deep luxuriant color as well as large margins all around, tied by fou#4, 1852 3p Red on medium wove paper, a handsome horizontal strip of four tied to an immaculate blue colored 1854 folded letter from Montreal to Waterbury, the strip possessing deep luxuriant color as well as large margins all around, tied by four strikes of target postmarks, matching "Montreal, L.C./OC 16" c.d.s. at bottom left, one faint vertical filing crease passes through second stamp in the strip, not at all detracting from this extremely fine and eye-appealing double rate cover; ex-"Foxbridge". (Image) Est. $1,500-2,000

SOLD for $6,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
210 c 4c, 8 4c, 3p Red on soft ribbed paper, horizontal strip of three with ample to mostly large margins, tied together with two choice four-margined singles of the 1857 ½p Rose (8) to a small and especially attractive 1858 cover from Toronto to South#4c, 3p Red on soft ribbed paper, horizontal strip of three with ample to mostly large margins, tied together with two choice four-margined singles of the 1857 ½p Rose (#8) to a small and especially attractive 1858 cover from Toronto to Southampton, England, light strikes of rimless grid postmarks with matching "Toronto, U.C./JU 26 58" c.d.s. at bottom left, two strikes of red London transit c.d.s. on front, Southampton bkst., very fine; an incredibly choice example of this rare Cunard Packet rate; one of only six covers recorded of this franking, and this is one of only two that bear ribbed paper stamps; 1989 RPS certificate; ex-"Loch". (Image) Est. $5,000-7,500

SOLD for $7,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
211 c 4iii, 8 4iii, 3p Red on hard ribbed paper, horizontal strip of three with three huge margins, fourth at top close but clear, used together with a four-margined vertical pair of the 1857 ½p Rose (8) on a small blue colored cover from Toronto to Mans#4iii, 3p Red on hard ribbed paper, horizontal strip of three with three huge margins, fourth at top close but clear, used together with a four-margined vertical pair of the 1857 ½p Rose (#8) on a small blue colored cover from Toronto to Mansfield, England, cover bearing most attractive red embossed seal of the "Department of Public Instruction" on the backflap, stamps tied by neat strikes of rimless grid cancels, matching light "Toronto, U.C./AU 16 58" c.d.s. at bottom left, bold strike of "Pkt. Letter/Paid/Liverpool/AU 28/1858" tombstone transit postmark on front, Mansfield bkst., ½p pair with trivial pre-printing paper crease, very fine; another choice example of the rare Cunard Packet rate; ex-"Loch". (Image) Est. $5,000-7,500

SOLD for $6,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
212 og 5 5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, an immensely rare mint example, possessing four lavishly large margins, deep luxuriant color and a sharp detailed impression on bright paper, large part o.g., extremely fine.A gem example of one of Canadas#5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, an immensely rare mint example, possessing four lavishly large margins, deep luxuriant color and a sharp detailed impression on bright paper, large part o.g., extremely fine.A gem example of one of Canada's most difficult stamps, as well as being of the utmost rarity in sound unused condition - let alone still retaining a large portion of its original gum. Our search through dozens of past auction catalogs containing important Canadian collections, including the legendary Dale-Lichtenstein sales, reveals no other original gum example that comes close to the quality of this magnificent stamp. Acquired by Mr. Gross in the September 1994 "Guilford" sale (Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc.) for a record price of $19,800.00 (including buyer's premium) against a then catalog value of $7,500.00. We fully expect the appearance of this stamp some fifteen years later to again elicit considerable bidding activity and will more than likely achieve a new record level - and deservedly so.Accompanied by a 1980 V.G. Greene certificate; ex-Eno, "Guilford". (Unitrade C$70,000.00) (Image) $25,000.00

SOLD for $60,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
213 c 5 5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, an absolutely superb single, featuring four lavishly large margins, including a huge sheet margin at right, plus its color and impression are especially strong, tied to a neat 1857 cover from Toronto to Murra#5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, an absolutely superb single, featuring four lavishly large margins, including a huge sheet margin at right, plus its color and impression are especially strong, tied to a neat 1857 cover from Toronto to Murray, U.C. by rimless squared grid cancels, matching "Toronto, C.W./Sep 19" c.d.s. in center, red straightline "Paid" handstamp, Brighton transit c.d.s. and Murray arrival c.d.s. both on reverse, which also shows a most attractive red embossed "Department of Public Instruction" seal on the backflap, extremely fine; easily one of the finest quality Six Pence covers extant; ex-Caspary, "Loch". (Image) Est. $3,000-4,000

SOLD for $4,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
214 c 5 5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, four large and wonderfully well balanced margins, deep prooflike color and impression on bright fresh paper, neatly tied to a handsome blue colored 1857 folded entire from Montreal to Bellevue by 21 target#5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, four large and wonderfully well balanced margins, deep prooflike color and impression on bright fresh paper, neatly tied to a handsome blue colored 1857 folded entire from Montreal to Bellevue by "21" target postmark, matching "Montreal, L.C./OC 10 1857" c.d.s. at bottom left, Bellevue arrival bkst., entire without side panels, extremely fine; an extraordinarily choice and desirable Six Pence cover; signed H. Bloch as well as being accompanied by a 1974 BPA certificate; ex-Dale-Lichtenstein, Nickle. (Image) Est. $2,000-3,000

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
215 c 5 5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, ample (at top right) to mostly large margins all around, deep rich color, tied to small cover addressed to the Secretary of the Unitarian Church in Rochester, N.Y. by perfect strike of 27 in target postma#5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, ample (at top right) to mostly large margins all around, deep rich color, tied to small cover addressed to the "Secretary of the Unitarian Church" in Rochester, N.Y. by perfect strike of "27" in target postmark, red "City-of-Ottawa, U.C./MY 27 1858" c.d.s. at top left, which is slightly overstruck by two line "Canada/Paid 10 cts" handstamp, trivial soiling around edges of stamp from gum, a very fine and rare usage; ex-Dale-Lichtenstein (where it realized an impressive $1,600.00 in 1970). (Image) Est. $2,000-3,000

SOLD for $7,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
216 c 5 5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, two singles, each with ample to large margins, as well as strong color and impressions, one with insignificant tear, tied by two strikes of target cancels to an impressive 7¾ x 5¼ fancy embossed Valentin#5, 1855 6p Slate gray on wove paper, two singles, each with ample to large margins, as well as strong color and impressions, one with insignificant tear, tied by two strikes of target cancels to an impressive "7¾" x 5¼" fancy embossed Valentine envelope with ornate floral embellishments and a "Juliet" figure, "Montreal, L.C./FE 14 1856" Valentine's Day origin c.d.s., neatly addressed to Stamford, Connecticut, accompanied by gorgeous colorful matching Valentine enclosure, which depicts a Romeo and Juliet design with floral add-ons in silk, pare and gilt (minor repairing and a few pieces missing), very fine; an absolutely stunning and extraordinary use of the Six Pence issue on a Valentine cover, paying the proper prepaid double rate to the United States; ex-Nickle, "Guilford". (imagea) (Image) Est. $7,500-10,000

SOLD for $6,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
217 og 7 7, 1855 10p Blue on thin paper, a pristine example of this rare mint stamp, possessing a marvelous overall freshness and crispness seldom encountered, truly prooflike color and impression, ample to mostly large margins all around, full o.g. with#7, 1855 10p Blue on thin paper, a pristine example of this rare mint stamp, possessing a marvelous overall freshness and crispness seldom encountered, truly prooflike color and impression, ample to mostly large margins all around, full o.g. with just a minor h.r., very fine; a terribly challenging stamp to find both sound and still retaining its original gum; 1950 RPS, 1980 and 2001 V.G. Greene certificates; ex-Julian Smith, Chapin (Unitrade C$24,000.00). (Image) $8,000.00

SOLD for $7,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
218 c 7a 7a, 1855 10p Blue on thick white paper, deep luxuriant color and a sharp detailed impression, exceptionally large margins on two sides, close to just touching at top and left, tied by squared grid to petite cover to Lanark, Scotland, from the fa#7a, 1855 10p Blue on thick white paper, deep luxuriant color and a sharp detailed impression, exceptionally large margins on two sides, close to just touching at top and left, tied by squared grid to petite cover to Lanark, Scotland, from the famous Mrs. Strange correspondence, originating from and bearing a striking "Legislative Assembly, February 14, 1859, Canada" handstamp in red, which is surrounded by a shield and crown, clear red "Paid/Liverpool/Br. Packet/8 MR 59/2D" transit c.d.s. at bottom left, Lanark arrival c.d.s. on reverse, manuscript endorsement at bottom left "O. Mowatt, MPP", who was a member of the Provincial Parliament and Postmaster General just a few years later, very fine; a marvelous eye-appealing Ten Pence cover; ex-Seybold (with his handstamp on reverse), Dale-Lichtenstein, Nickle and "Guilford". (Image) Est. $4,000-5,000

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
219 og 9 9, 1857 7½p Green, a gem mint single of this classic pence issue, boasting gorgeous intense color and impression, in addition possessing four large to extra-large margins, full original gum (which is just slightly brownish but quite natural), ex#9, 1857 7½p Green, a gem mint single of this classic pence issue, boasting gorgeous intense color and impression, in addition possessing four large to extra-large margins, full original gum (which is just slightly brownish but quite natural), extremely fine; a true condition rarity with such large margins and original gum; ex-Moody (Unitrade C$24,000.00). (Image) $10,000.00

SOLD for $10,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
220 og 9 9, 1857 7½p Green, a phenomenal right sheet-margin vertical mint pair, in the finest condition imaginable, showing just a trace of the imprint in the top right margin, lavishly large margins all around, stunning color and impression which would#9, 1857 7½p Green, a phenomenal right sheet-margin vertical mint pair, in the finest condition imaginable, showing just a trace of the imprint in the top right margin, lavishly large margins all around, stunning color and impression which would rival any proof, incredibly bright and fresh overall, full original gum, minor h.r., extremely fine.Any mint/unused multiple of this classic stamp is an extreme rarity as only five are known: three pairs, a strip of three and a block of four. Its rarity is further confirmed by the fact that the massive Dale-Lichtenstein collection did not have a single unused multiple.Without question, this is the finest quality multiple known and as such is destined for placement in the finest collection of Canadian stamps. Illustrated on page 80 of The Stamps and Postal History of Canada by Boggs; accompanied by a 1973 BPA certificate; ex-Pack, Lilly. (Image) Est. $20,000-30,000

SOLD for $40,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

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