Canadian Stamp Auctions

This was Charles Firby’s last regular auction and one to be proud of. While he has announced his retirement from offering regular auctions, we will hopefully see him offer one or more specialized or single owner auctions from time to time in future. Charles has given much to stamp collectors and we sincerely hope we can give something back. Our July Commentary will feature a celebration of his contributions to philately.

Fancy Cancels – Large & Small Queens

We start off with some examples of the fancy cancels from the Large & Small Queen sets. The prices realized show how popular these stamps are with collectors.

Large Queens

"4-Ring 39"	"Oshawa B"	"Fancy Propeller"
Lot 108 Unitrade 22ii Estimate $250 Realized $293	Lot 114 Scott 23 Estimate $250 Realized $106	Lot 121 Scott 25 Estimate $20 Realized $21

"Leaf Cancel "	"Crown Cancel "
Lot 130 Scott 27 Estimate $160 Realized $69	Lot 161 Scott 30b Estimate $35 Realized $202

Small Queens

"Way Letter "	"Fancy Intaglio Red"	"Ottawa Crown"
Lot 176 Scott 35 Estimate $25 Realized $37	Lot 177 Scott 35 Estimate $75 Realized $128	Lot 188 Unitrade 35ii Estimate $50 Realized $27

"Bowmanville U.C. Crown"	"Jack O’Lantern"
Lot 204 Scott 37 Estimate $250 Realized $479	Lot 210 Scott 37 Estimate $100 Realized $240

Stewartl "	"Sunburst"
Lot 236 Scott 41 Estimate $120 Realized $586	Lot 237 Scott 41 Estimate $75 Realized $91

15¢ Large Queen – “Cracked Plate” variety

What a beauty this is. It was nicely centered as Large Queens go and came in the blue gray shade (Unitrade 30b). Firby notes that the “cracked plate” variety comes from position #65 on the sheet. This copy was Fresh & XF, with full OG and a HR. It came with a 2003 V.G. Greene Certificate. The price realized set the new record.

Small Queens – Large Borders

Lot 231 Scott 41 Estimate $40 Realized $240

Lot 243 Scott 42 Estimate $50 Realized $320

Here we go again with our total admiration for early Canadian stamps that come with these large borders. Just look at the prices realized. We can’t be the only one who admires these stamps!

QE II – Rare Hibrite

This appears to be such an ordinary looking stamp. It is used, has a straight edge and a relatively heavy cancel. But this little treasure is rare. Fewer than 100 used copies are known. The use of an ultraviolet lamp would help identify it as having been printed on Hibrite Paper. Not many modern stamps sell for more than double their catalogue value!

14¢ Virgin & Child – Black Omitted

This is the 6th copy we have recorded since this variety first appeared back in 1993. All but one was centered low like this one. The best price to date was $700. Therefore this is a new record price and the significant advance from the previous.

37¢ Expo – Horizontal Strip of 5

We finish off with this unusual strip of 5. As can be seen, “Canada 34” seems to be missing on the stamp at the right. The Firby description states “blue inscription ‘nearly’ missing cplty. on the R stamp.” What a shame. We looked carefully at that 5th stamp and could see a very faint outline. So instead of a genuine variety that could be listed, this may just be an ink error that may not repeat. It’s funny how collectors seem to accept some errors but not others. We still think it is a very interesting error, worthy of any serious collection.

We hate to come to this, the end of Firby’s regular auctions. He always impressed us with the material he presented and the knowledge he shared with us. We hope he will remain active in the stamp field and continue to inspire others by his excellent example

This sale had two new record prices.

The prices in this commentary were converted
at the rate of $1US = $1.06 Cdn.