Sale 776 — The K.L. Collection of Classic Rarities
Sale Date — Tuesday, 23 April, 1996
Category — Canada
CANADA, 1851, 12p Black on Laid Paper (3; SG 4). Large margins all around, tied by well-struck target cancel on double-rate bluish folded cover to New York City, red "Montreal L.C. Jy 21 1852" circluar datestamp, matching "Canada" in framed arc cross-border handstamp, red "Paid" handstamp, half of one backflap missing and sealed tear from bottom into address panel, with part of letter contents including a request for investment adviceEXTREMELY FINE AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COVERS OF BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. VERY FEW 12-PENCE STAMPS ARE KNOWN ON COVER, AND THIS IS THE FINEST OF THE TWO OR THREE TIED EXAMPLES.
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 approximately 1,500 stamps sold.
In his Encyclopedia of Rare and Famous Stamps, L. N. Williams estimates that five covers have survived. The two best known covers are this tied usage from Montreal and the untied usage from Hamilton (see Boggs, p. 137).
Ex Worthington, Dale-Lichtenstein, Nickle. With 1995 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1857, -1/2p Deep Rose on Wove (8; SG 17). Horizontal pair, three large margins, full at bottom, right stamp has faint pre-use crease, tied by lightly struck targets on large part of The Globe with address to Dundas, dated January 15, 1858, Very Fine printed matter usage, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, with 1995 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1857, -1/2p Deep Rose on Wove (8; SG 17). Vertical strip of six, large to huge margins at sides, clear to touching at top and bottom, tied by "41" target cancels, "Sandwich U.C. Jy 2 1858" circular datestamp on buff cover to Toronto, backstamped "Windsor C.W. Jy 22 1858" and Toronto receiving datestamps, docketing partly over strip, small area of address at bottom scraped away with a short tear resulting. Some postal historians have argued persuasively that this cover originated in Detroit, Michigan, and was carried by ferry boat to its docking point at Sandwich. On July 12, 1858, the Windsor postmaster was authorized by the Post Office Department to supply the local Canadian packet agent at Detroit with 7-1/2 and -1/2 pence stamps. Illustrated in Boggs book (p. 162). An outstanding and very rare franking for the 3p rate. With 1995 B.P.A. certificate. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein, Nickle
CANADA, 1857, -1/2p Deep Rose on Wove (8; SG 17). Vertical strip of four and single, all stamps with large margins, strip creased and pressed, tied by "37" target cancels, "Quebec L.C. Jy 13 1858" circular datestamp on folded printed notice to Bremen, Germany, "1" handstamp deleted in ms. with matching "2" rate, blue ms. rate, red Aachen transit backstamp, Extremely Fine appearance, a rare correctly prepaid example of the 2-1/2p printed matter rate, with 1995 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1852, 3p Red on Wove (4; SG 18). Two singles, each with full to large margins all around, tied by partly clear "Pembina Min. Apr. 27" circular datestamp, second very clear strike on 1862 buff cover to Ottawa, forwarded to Almonte, blue framed "U.STATES/10" cross-border exchange office handstamp, possibly originating from Fort Garry, Manitoba, backstamped in transit at Prescott (May 17), Ottawa (May 19), Franktown (May 22 in red) and Almonte (May 22), straightline "FORWARDED" handstampEXTREMELY FINE AND ONE OF TWO RECORDED CANADIAN BEAVER FRANKINGS ON MAIL ORIGINATING IN THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT AND POSTMARKED AT PEMBINA.
Ex Jarrett, Dr. Chan, Nickle. With 1995 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1852, 3p Red on Wove (4; SG 5). Three large margins, ample at left, deep shade, tied by target cancel on cover to London U.C., "Chippawa U.C. Mr 17 1853" circular datestamp, "MONEY=LETTER" straightline handstamp struck twice, ms. "Money" endorsement and registry notations, backstamped Queenston and London, Extremely Fine and choice
CANADA, 1852, 3p Brown Red on Wove (4a; SG 8). Large to huge margins, deep rich color, tied by "Cobourg U.C. Aug. 27, 1854" circular datestamp on fresh cover to Toronto, receiving backstamp, Extremely Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, Nickle
CANADA, 1852, 3p Red on Wove, Diagonal Half Used as 1-1/2p (4b; SG 8a). Upper right diagonal half joined with vertical pair, full to large margins except touched at lower right, cancelled and well-tied across cut by targets, "Montreal L.C. Jy 17 1856" circular datestamp on buff cover to Bury St. Edmunds, England, red "Paid" tombstone datestamp, backstamped "Bury St. Edmunds Jy 31 1856 C" circular datestamp, light folds in cover clear of stampsA VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE SINGLE CANADIAN PACKET LETTER RATE TO ENGLAND PREPAID BY THE BISECTED BEAVER STAMP, OF WHICH ONLY THREE ARE KNOWN.
The 7-1/2p Canadian packet rate became effective in May 1856, but the 7-1/2p stamps were not available until one year later.
Ex Dale-Lichtenstein (May 21, 1969, when it realized $11,000), Nickle. With 1995 B.P.A. certificate. Scott Retail $30,000.00
CANADA, 1852, 6p Gray Lilac on Wove (5; SG 19). Two of 6p, one with large margins, other clear to large margins, used with 1858, -1/2p Rose on Wove, Perf 11-3/4 (11; SG 25), each stamp tied by "21" target cancel, "Montreal L.C. Fe 7 1859" circular datestamp on folded letter to Chalon Sur Saone, France, red "London Paid", "PD" and black Calais transit datestamps, receiving backstamps, the name and location of addressee were eradicated but have been skillfully restored, lightly bleached in address panel, minor wrinkles not affecting stamps, interesting content regarding the depressed market for wine ("Champagne is almost unsaleable...")ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THIS 12-1/2 PENCE FRANKING TO FRANCE ARE RECORDED.
The 12-1/2p rate to France via an American port was established on February 20, 1858. The alternate route via St. Lawrence was 10p. This cover left Boston on the Arabia on February 9, 1859, arriving in Liverpool on February 20.
Ex Dale-Lichtenstein, Nickle. With 1995 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1852, 6p Gray Lilac on Wove (5; SG 19). Mostly ample margins to just in at bottom left, rich color, used with strip of three 1858, -1/2 Deep Rose on Wove, Perf 11-3/4 (11; SG 25), well-centered, each stamp tied by "30" target cancel, "Peterboro C.W. Sp 26 1859" circular datestamp on fresh cover to Navan, Ireland, clear red "Paid Liverpool Col. Packet" transit datestamp, backstamped Coubourg (Sep. 26), Montreal (Sep. 27), Dublin (Oct. 13) and Navan (Oct. 13)AN EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE COMBINATION OF IMPERFORATE AND PERFORATED PENCE ISSUES TO PREPAY 7-1/2 PENCE PACKET RATE.
With 1995 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1852, 6p Deep Slate Gray on Wove (5; SG 9). Large even margins, beautiful rich color, tied by "21" target cancel, "Montreal L.C. Oc 10 1857" circular datestamp on blue folded cover to Belleville C.W., side flaps removed, light horizontal fold clear of stamp, Extremely Fine and choice, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, Nickle, signed Bloch, with 1974 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1857, 6p Reddish Purple on Thick Soft Paper, Diagonal Half Used as 3p (10a; SG 23a). Lower right diagonal half with large margins, tied across cut by two ms. lines, matching ms. "3" rate on blue folded cover to Montreal, red "Steamboat Letter Quebec Oc 6 1858" circular datestamp, bisect also well-tied by "Quebec L.C. Oc 6 1858" black circular datestamp, red Montreal receiving backstamp, light bleached spots in coverA FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE BISECTED USAGE OF THE 6-PENCE ON THICK PAPER.
Ex Greene, Nickle. With 1965 B.P.A. certificate. Scott Retail $20,000.00, Stanley Gibbons £18,000
CANADA, 1855, 10p Dull Blue on Wove (7; SG 14). Full to large margins, dark shade, beautiful impression and color, tied by taget cancel, "Hamilton C.W. May 11, 1857" circular datestamp on yellow cover to London, England, red London "Paid" datestamp, magenta ms. number at left, Very Fine and choice, ex de Volpi, Foxbridge, Nickle, with 1995 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1855, 10p Bright Blue on Wove (7; SG 13). Large margins, deep shade, used with horizontal pair of 1852, 3p Scarlet Vermilion on Wove (4; SG 7), vivid color, large margins to clear at top, small closed tear at left, each stamp tied by target cancel, "Hamilton U.C. Ja 29 1855" circular datestamp on bluish gray cover to London, England, red "Paid 10" handstamp, red London "Paid" Feb. 13 circular datestamp, endorsed "per Royal Mail Steamer" and prepaid 1sh4p for the Crimean War emergency rate, slight creasing in stampsONE OF THE FINEST OF THE APPROXIMATELY SEVEN KNOWN COVERS FRANKED AT THE CRIMEAN WAR EMERGENCY RATE FOR PASSAGE ON THE COLLINS LINE FROM BOSTON.
During the Crimean War it became necessary to take several Cunard vessels out of British mail packet service for naval duty. To supplement mail transport to and from Canada, vessels of the Collins Line were used, but letters carried by this American packet service were subject to a higher rate of 1sh4p. Very few are known (seven is a widely circulated estimate).
With 1995 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1857, 7-1/2p Green on Wove (9; SG 12). Block of four, three large margins, clear at top, fine impression in deep shade, single neat strike of "37" target cancel, "Quebec L.C. Ju 11 1859" circular datestamp on folded letter to New Ross, Ireland, endorsed "pr Hungarian", red "Paid Liverpool Col. Pakcet Ju 21 59 4A" transit datestamp, Dublin (Jun. 22) and New Ross (Jun. 22) backstamps, fresh and clean, file fold thru bottom pair has been neatly pressed and is invisible on faceTHE MAGNIFICENT AND UNIQUE 7-1/2 PENCE BLOCK ON COVER. WIDELY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING ITEMS OF THE CANADIAN PENCE ISSUE.
This extraordinary cover was absent from the major Canadian Pence Issue collections formed by Reford, Eno, Dale-Lichtenstein, Caspary, Gill, Hillmer, Nickle et al. It was featured on the front cover of the Capex 1987 private treaty sale catalogue published by William and Michael Lea, at which point its existence became widely known.
With 1992 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1857, 7-1/2p Green on Wove (9; SG 12). Large margins all around, used with 1857, 3p Red on Soft Ribbed Paper (4c; SG 22), barely detectable pre-use crease, each stamp tied by "1" target cancel, "Barrie U.C. A 11 Feb. 1858" circular datestamp on registered cover to London, England, red "REGISTERED" straightline handstamp, ms. registry numbers and "6" rate, red Crown "Registered" handstamp with jatching London backstamps, faint Toronto transit backstamp, small spindle hole at bottom right, still Very Fine, rare franking for 10p rate (overpaid -1/2p) from the Brooksbank correspondence, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, with 1995 B.P.A. certificate
CANADA, 1857, 7-1/2p Green on Wove (9; SG 12). Full to large margins, used with 1858, 3p Red on Wove, Perf 11-3/4 (12; SG 26), centered to bottom, each stamp tied by "1" target cancel, lightly struck "Barrie U.C. Ju 23 1859" circular datestamp on cover to London, England, from the Brooksbank correspondence, red "London Paid" circular datestamp on front and back, small spindle hole at bottom right, Very Fine, extremely rare combination of imperforate and perforated Pence issues, illustrated in Robson Lowe's Encyclopedia (Vol. V, opposite p. 161), with 1957 R.P.S. certificate