Canadian Stamp Auctions
Stamp Market Commentary

Commentary No. 80 - 17 February, 2006

The Duane Hilmer Gold Medal Collection
Sold at Auction
September 28, 1977
In New York

Every so often a collection of Canadian stamps appears that is so extraordinary it takes your breath away. Such is the Duane Hilmer collection that we feature in this commentary. It’s funny how we came across it! We were reading through a pamphlet sent out by Saskatoon Stamp Center in January and in it they advertised a 1977 auction catalogue featuring a sale in New York by Sotheby Park Bernet Stamp Auction Co. What caught our attention were the words “incredible pence and unique multiples”. So we sent away for the catalogue, happily paying the $39.95 price, and what treasures we found. Here is a sampling of those treasures: Scott 1 with original gum Catalogue $24,000 Realized $11,500 Scott 1 corner margin copy Catalogue $400 Realized $2,900   Scott 3 One of 2 remaining pairs that exist Catalogue $40,000 Realized $40,000 Scott 4 Full OG margin copy Catalogue $3,000 Realized $6,500   Scott 4 Probably the finest mint block that exists, OG Catalogue $4,500 Realized $14,000   Scott 4a Outstanding horizontal bottom margin pair Catalogue $250 Realized $2,600   Scott 4 A very scarce and beautiful strip of 4 Catalogue $500 Realized $2,500   Scott 4a Used block of 6 ex.: Seybold & Caspary Catalogue $750 Realized $4,250   Scott 5b Rare greenish-grey pair, OG Catalogue $8,000 Realized $8,000   Scott 7a Unique mint bottom block, OG Catalogue $11,000 Realized $35,000   Scott 7a Glorious used block of 4, possibly finest known Catalogue $2,000 Realized $9,000   Scott 8 Bottom sheet margin block, OG Catalogue $1,600 Realized $4,250   Scott 9 Top sheet margin pair, full OG Catalogue $5,500 Realized $15,000 Scott 9 Famous unique block of 4, OG ex.: Gill & Fox Catalogue $11,000 Realized $22,000     Scott 11 Extremely fine, OG Catalogue $650 Realized $1,250 Scott 11 Great rarity, not more than 2 or 3 pairs known, OG Catalogue $1,300 Realized $2,100   Scott 13 The finest mulitple of this stamp that exists Catalogue $7,000 Realized $12,500 We hope you have enjoyed this display of some of the finest examples of Canada’s stamps of the early classic period. The chances of seeing so many stamps of this caliber all brought together in one sale are so rare. We feel very lucky to have had this opportunity and commend Saskatoon Stamp Center for its efforts in promoting Canada’s stamp literature. Please note: All above prices are U.S. dollars.

©2006, Canadian Stamp Auctions Ltd., Montréal, Québec, Canada