Sale 1243 — The Scarsdale Collection, Part 11: British North America
Sale Date — Wednesday, 20 October, 2021
Category — 1851-1859 Pence Issues
CANADA, 1851, 3p Red, Laid Paper (1; SG 1). Unused (no gum), large balanced margins all around, exceptionally fresh color, razor-sharp impression on bright paper clearly showing prominent laid linesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXISTING UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE 1851 3-PENCE BEAVER ON LAID PAPER - COMBINING LARGE MARGINS, BRIGHT COLOR AND IN COMPLETELY SOUND CONDITION.
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 show the same fine quality of engraving that distinguishes the U.S. 1847 Issue. The stamps were printed early in 1851 (3p issued April 23), at the same time that RWH&E's contract for providing United States stamps was coming to an end. The 3p design was executed by Sandford Fleming and engraved by Alfred Jones.
Of interesting note, despite the notoriety of the 12p Black, the 3p Red is far rarer in unused condition with no more than 20 unused believed to exist. Of those, nearly all have tight to touching margins and/or plagued with a myriad of faults. This example is one of the rare exceptions having both large margins and in completely sound condition. A quick review of other major offerings - such as the Dale-Lichtenstein Collection - reveals that even the most advanced collections are without an unused example in this choice quality.
Census no. 1-UNC-05. Ex Cloutier and Gross. With 1992 Greene Foundation and 2010 P.F. certificates. Scott $35,000.00. SG £38,000. Unitrade C$60,000.00
CANADA, 1851, 6p Slate Violet, Laid Paper (2; SG 2). Unused (no gum), four impressively large and balanced margins, wonderfully rich color enhanced by the sharp and detailed impression on crisp paper clearly showing the distinctive laid linesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ASTOUNDING UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 6-PENCE ON LAID PAPER WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION -- A TESTIMENT TO ITS PHENOMENAL OVERALL QUALITY. THIS IS ARGUABLY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The 1851 6p Prince Albert issue on laid paper is one of Canada's rarest and most difficult stamps to obtain in unused condition. Very few unused examples exist, with completely sound examples of even greater rarity. Nearly all we are aware of have either uneven or touching margins or are affected by faults which often plague this thin laid paper.
Census no. 2-UNC-03. Ex "Guilford" and Dr. Dauer. With 1986 Greene Foundation and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Scott $30,000.00. SG £50,000.00. Unitrade C$60,000.00
CANADA, 1851, 12p Black, Laid Paper (3; SG 4). Pristine original gum, very lightly hinged, large and even margins all around, strong color, superbly detailed impression on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 12-PENCE BLACK ON LAID PAPER. ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED AND DESIRABLE CLASSIC STAMPS OF BRITISH NORTH AMERICA AND AN ICONIC WORLD RARITY. A SUPERB GEM IN ALL REGARDS - LARGE MARGINS, EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH ORIGINAL GUM AND SOUND CONDITION.
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 original die was engraved by Alfred Jones and is based upon the Chalon portrait, which was also used on the stamps of Queensland, Tasmania, Bahamas and New Zealand, among other British colonies. 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.
A total of 50,000 stamps were printed from 250 sheets of 200 subjects (two panes of 100). Only 1,450 were sold with the balance being destroyed. Our census, available on our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/canada/scott/3 , records a total of seventeen original gum singles plus four pairs.
Census no. 3-OG-05. Ex Melat and Gross. With 1981 Holcombe, 1986 E. Diena and 2009 P.F. certificates. Scott $175,000.00. SG £200,000. Unitrade C$300,000.00
CANADA, 1851, 12p Black, Laid Paper (3; SG 4). Large margins all around, intense shade, superbly detailed impression indicative of an early printing, neat strike of a light target cancelEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE CANADA 12-PENCE BLACK ON LAID PAPER. AN ICONIC CANADIAN RARITY -- AND THAT OF THE ENTIRE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND CLASSIC PHILATELY AS A WHOLE. THE REMARKABLE STAMP OFFERED HERE EASILY RANKS AS ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES.
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 original die was engraved by Alfred Jones and is based upon the Chalon portrait, which was also used on the stamps of Queensland, Tasmania, Bahamas and New Zealand, among other British colonies. 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.
A total of 50,000 stamps were printed from 250 sheets of 200 subjects (two panes of 100). Only 1,450 were sold with the balance being destroyed. Our census, available on our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/canada/scott/3 , records a total of 36 used singles, two pairs and four covers. Of the singles, less than one-third are sound with four margins, with few equating to the size of the margins and light cancel of the example offered here.
Census no. 3-CAN-18. Ex Lees-Jones, Amundsen, "Malibu" and Collier. With 1950 R.P.S., 1986 Holcombe, and 2006 Greene Foundation certificates. Scott $135,000.00. SG £100,000. Unitrade C$180,000.00
CANADA, 1851, 3p Orange Vermilion, Laid Paper (1a; SG 1a). Huge to full margins, lovely bright color, neatly struck target cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate, Scott $1,000.00, SG £1,100, Unitrade C$1,600.00
CANADA, 1851, 6p Slate Violet, Laid Paper (2; SG 2). Four large margins including small portion of adjoining frameline at bottom, bold color and crisp impression on fresh paper, target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1976 B.P.A., 1981 Greene Foundation, and 2008 P.F. certificates, Scott $1,500.00, SG £1,300, Unitrade C$2,000.00
CANADA, 1852, 3p Orange Red (4; SG 5; Unitrade 4ii). Original gum, lightly hinged, large to ample margins all around, bright color, strong impression on fresh paperVERY FINE. A CHOICE ORIGNAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-PENCE BEAVER IN THE ORANGE-RED SHADE. SELDOM FOUND IN THIS PREMIUM CONDITION.
With 2008 P.F. certificate. Scott $1,500.00. SG £2,750. Unitrade C$4,000.00.
CANADA, 1852-55, 3p Orange Red, Thin Paper (4d; SG 7). Huge to large margins all around, wonderfully rich color, bold impression on fresh paper, lightly struck target cancels, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Tang, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90), Scott $225.00, SG £275, Unitrade C$300.00
CANADA, 1855, 6p Slate Gray, Wove Paper (5; SG 9). Four large balanced margins, lovely warm shade, uncommonly sharp impression, lightly struck "21" numeral cancel of Montreal, Extremely Fine, a particularly handsome example, ex "Crossings", with 1951 R.P.S. and 2006 Greene Foundation certificates, Scott $1,150.00, SG £1,100, Unitrade C$1,600.00
CANADA, 1855, 6p Greenish Gray, Wove Paper (5b; SG 10). Unused (no gum), large to ample margins all around, fresh color and bold impressionVERY FINE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-PENCE ON WOVE PAPER IN THE GREENISH GRAY SHADE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT NO MORE THAN A DOZEN UNUSED COPIES STILL EXIST, LIKELY FAR FEWER.
Of the unused examples we have been able to locate in major named sales, nearly all have either faults to varying degrees and/or margins touching the design. Ex Dr. Buss. With 2014 P.S.E. and 2015 P.F. certificates. Scott $23,000.00. SG £45,000. Unitrade C$40,000.00
CANADA, 1855, 10p Blue (7; SG 15). Original gum, relatively lightly hinged, four large to ample margins, deep rich color, highly detailed impression on bright paperVERY FINE. A REMARKABLY CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 10-PENCE CARITER. RARELY ENCOUNTERED IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION WITH FULL MARGINS.
Ex "Trillium" and "Fordwater". With 1985 B.P.A. (as SG 20B which has since changed) and 2013 P.F. certificates. Scott $12,000.00. SG £14,000. Unitrade C$32,000.00
CANADA, 1855, 10p Blue (7; SG 15). Large even margins all around, deep rich color and sharp impression, relatively light cancel, Very Fine and choice, a surprisingly challenging stamp to find sound with four margins and lightly cancelled, with 1959 R.P.S. and 2008 P.F. certificates, Scott $1,600.00, SG £1,800, Unitrade C$2,400.00
CANADA, 1857, -1/2p Rose (8; SG 17). Original gum, lightly hinged, large margins all around, intense color and impression, Extremely Fine, another surprisingly challenging stamp to find with both original gum and in choice condition, ex "Fordwater", with 2013 Greene Foundation certificate, Scott $1,100.00, SG £1,000, Unitrade C$2,800.00
CANADA, 1857, -1/2p Rose (8; SG 17). Mostly large margins all around, gorgeous rich shade, strong impression, light grid cancel, Extremely Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate, Scott $700.00, SG £600, Unitrade C$1,000.00
CANADA, 1857, 7-1/2p Green (9; SG 12). Large part original gum (which covers over half the stamp), full balanced margins all around, deep rich shade with a superbly detailed impressionVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 7-1/2-PENCE GREEN VICTORIA. A CONDITION RARITY WITH FULL MARGINS AND ANY REMAINING ORIGINAL GUM.
While still very scarce, unused (no gum) examples are more obtainable. We have found few others, with original gum, that are sound with four margins.
Ex "Trillium". With 2006 Brandon and 2011 P.F. certificates. Scott $10,000.00. SG £13,000. Unitrade C$24,000.00
CANADA, 1857, 7-1/2p Green (9; SG 12). Huge to large margins all around including part of adjoining frameline at top, intense color and impression on fresh paper, beautifully struck "27" numeral cancel of OttawaEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 7-1/2-PENCE GREEN AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
The 7-1/2p is notorious for having very tight to touching margins. To find an example with margins this size, neatly cancelled and with the overall freshness this stamp exudes is quite remarkable.
Ex "Loch" and "Crossings". With 2008 Greene Foundation certificate. Scott $3,500.00. SG £2,500. Unitrade C$5,000.00
CANADA, 1857, 6p Reddish Purple, Very Thick Soft Wove Paper (10; SG 23). Unused (no gum), large to huge margins all around, wonderfully rich color in this distinctive shade found on this stamp, razor-sharp impression on uncommonly bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-PENCE REDDISH PURPLE, SCOTT NO. 10. THIS IS THE FINEST UNUSED EXAMPLE WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED. LESS THAN A DOZEN ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST.
Of the less than twelve in private hands, virtually all are no gum and most have faults to some degree (some quite extensive and/or repaired).
Ex Dale-Lichtenstein, "Guilford" and Dr. Dauer. With 1993 and 2014 P.F. certificates. Scott $22,500.00. SG £48,000. Unitrade C$40,000.00
CANADA, 1857, 6p Reddish Purple, Very Thick Soft Wove Paper (10; SG 23). Mostly huge to large margins all around, extraordinarily rich color with proof-like impression on uncommonly bright and fresh paper, neat numeral target cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 6-PENCE ON VERY THICK SOFT WOVE PAPER. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PENCE ISSUES TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE QUALITY, ESPECIALLY WITH SUCH AN EXCEPTIONAL IMPRESSION.
Ex Dr. Tang. Signed Bloch. With 1974 P.F. (photocopy) and 2004 Greene Foundation certificates. Scott $6,750.00. SG £4,000. Unitrade C$9,000.00
CANADA, 1858, -1/2p Rose, Perf 12 (11; SG 25). Exceptional centering with wide margins for this notoriously tightly spaced stamp with perfs clear of design on all sides, warm shade and strong impression, Extremely Fine, a Gem example of a stamp which is rarely found in this premium quality, ex Collier, with 1999 Greene Foundation and 2009 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85; a ridiculously conservative grade for this, in our opinion), Scott $1,500.00, SG £1,000, Unitrade C$2,500.00
CANADA, 1858, 3p Red, Perf 12 (12; SG 26). Bold color, well-centered for this notoriously tightly spaced issue, clear strike of "21" numeral target cancel of Montreal, Very Fine, a choice example of this challenging stamp, with 2009 Sismondo certificate, Scott $1,400.00, SG £375, Unitrade C$1,600.00
CANADA, 1859, 6p Brown Violet (13; SG 27). Large part original gum (virtually full), minor h.r., exceptionally bold color and a razor-sharp impression on bright paper, well-centered for this tightly spaced issueFINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1859 6-PENCE PRINCE ALBERT FROM CANADA'S FIRST PERFORATED ISSUE.
The first perforated series of Canada invariably comes with perforations touching on at least one side due to the very narrow spacing between stamps. The values given in Scott take this into account with the footnote stating "values are for examples with perfs touching the design". Those possessing original gum are extremely rare, evidenced by Unitrade valuing those with gum at a 150% premium.
Ex Gross. Signed Bloch. With 1978 R.P.S. (with selvage which no longer accompanies) and 2009 P.F. certificates. Scott $25,000.00. SG £18,000. Unitrade C$25,000.00