1851, 6p Grayish Purple, Laid
(2, SG 2). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins, rich color, clear
vertical laid lines, neat strike of target cancel, left stamp small closed
tear at left center, otherwise Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate, Scott
Retail as singles (Image)
1851, 6p Grayish Purple, Laid
(2, SG 2). Horizontal strip of three, large margins to clear at bottom
right, tiny margin nick at top left, clear vertical laid lines, neat target
cancels, fresh and bright colorFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE STRIP OF THREE OF THE CANADA 1851 6-PENCE ON LAID PAPER.
Scott Retail as three singles does not reflect the rarity of this multiple. (Image)
1851, 12p Black, Plate Proofs
on India, Red "Specimen" Ovpt. (3Pi). Two, "Specimen" reading up, large
margins, one mounted on card as issued, other removed from card (small thin
spot), Very Fine, unlisted in Scott, Unitrade Retail CA$
(Image)
1851, 12p Black, Laid (3, SG
4). Unused (no gum), large margins to clear, sharp proof-like
impression and intense shade, faint pressed-out horizontal crease visible
only in fluidVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE CANADA 1851 12-PENCE BLACK. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP.
With 1982 B.P.A. certificate. (Image)
1851, 12p Black, Laid (3, SG
4). Enormous margins all around incl. sheet margin at right,
sharp proof-like impression, cancel struck at top left leaves entire design
clearly visible, faint diagonal crease visible only in fluidEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A SUPERB USED SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE CANADA 1851 12-PENCE BLACK.
With 1984 P.F. certificate. (Image)
1851, 12p Black, Laid (3, SG
4). Horizontal pair, large margins to just barely in at top right,
intense color and proof-like impression, neat strike of target cancels,
faint horizontal crease visible only in fluidVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE FINER OF THE THREE RECORDED USED PAIRS OF THE CANADA 12-PENCE BLACK. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF CANADIAN PHILATELY.
The first Pence Issues of Canada were printed by the New York firm of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, the same firm that printed the New York Postmaster's Provisional and United States 5c and 10c 1847 Issue. The Pence issues, and particularly the 12-pence, show the same fine quality of engraving that distinguishes the U.S. 1847 Issue. The stamps were printed early in 1851 (12p issued June 14), at the same time that RWH&E's contract for providing United States stamps was coming to an end. The 12-pence plate proved difficult for RWH&E. Faulty impressions were laid out twice before the third and final entries, resulting in many positions showing re-entries. The stamp offered here is notable in that it does not show any signs of being re-entered.
The 1851 12-pence stamp was issued for prepayment of the basic letter rate to Newfoundland, Bermuda and the West Indies, but its value -- stated in pence rather than "one shilling" to avoid confusion -- also corresponded to the double 6p rate to the United States and certain other countries. However, its use was very limited and, according to Boggs, only 1,450 were sold. The balance of the 51,000 printed was destroyed.
The three used pairs known to us are: 1) the pair offered here, 2) horizontal pair, target cancels, in at bottom and at right, ex Pack, Hillmer and Foxbridge, and 3) horizontal pair, single target cancel, margin at right into design, ex Dale-Lichtenstein Sale 2, Nov. 18, 1968.
With 1961 and 1984 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as singles. (Image)
1851, 12p Black, Laid (3, SG
4). Large margins to slightly cut in, part of adjoining stamp at right,
tied by well-struck blue target cancel on double-rate folded cover
to New York City, matching "Hamilton C.W. DE 8, 1853" circular datestamp,
red "Canada Paid 10cts" two-line handstamp with amount changed to "20" in
magenta, part of address cut out, faint horizontal file fold well clear of
stamp and markingsFINE AND RARE. ONLY TWO OR THREE 1851 12-PENCE BLACK STAMPS ARE KNOWN TIED TO THEIR ORIGINAL COVERS.
The 1851 12-pence stamp was issued for prepayment of the basic letter rate to Newfoundland, Bermuda and the West Indies, but its value - stated in pence rather than "one shilling" to avoid confusion - also corresponded to the double 6p rate to the United States and certain other countries. However, its use was very limited, and most of the printing was destroyed, with only 1,450 stamps sold.
In his Encyclopedia of Rare and Famous Stamps, L. N. Williams estimates that five covers have survived. The two best known are the tied usage from Montreal, which realized $230,000 in our 1996 sale of the K.L. Collection, and an untied usage from Hamilton (see Boggs, p. 137). Of the known covers, only two or three are well-tied by a cancel.
Ex Col. Green and Seybold. With 1984 P.F. certificate (Image)
1857, 6p Reddish Purple, Very
Thick Soft Wove (10, SG 23). Large margins all around, tied by bold
numeral target, "Montreal L.C. AP 28, 1858" datestamp on folded cover to
Ottawa, receiving backstamp, light file folds well away from stamp, minor
edgewear at top, Very Fine, scarce used on cover
(Image) 
1859, 12-1/2c Yellow Green,
Perf 12 (18, SG 39). Vertical pair, tied by grids on blue cover to
Gibraltar, neat "Montreal C.E. AP 25, 1862" circular datestamp, red
London transit, ms. "Money to pay" crossed out at left, trivial edgewear,
Very Fine, rare use of 12-1/2c pair to Gibraltar
(Image) 
1873-79, 1c Orange, 3c Red,
Perf 11-1/2 x 12 (35d, 37e, SG 91, 95). Horizontal strip of 3c, tied by
"Quebec Que. SP 23 76" datestamps on cover to Christiana, Norway,
red London transit also ties strip, red crayon "2-1/2" rate, minor
edgewear, Fine, scarce destination, the Perf 11-1/2 x 12 stamps on cover
are scarce, with Holcombe certificate and signed by him
(Image)