Canadian Stamp Auctions

21 October, 2008 - R. Maresch & Son

Any specialist of Canada’s Large Queen’s set knows that it’s the 15¢ stamp that has the most shade varieties. One of the rarer shades is illustrated in this beautiful example:

"Deep Blue" Shade

Lot 400 Scott 30e Catalogue $1,650 Realized $1,100

This copy was described as “fresh with full o.g. (trifle disturbed), heavily hinged and very fine, an eminently collectible copy of this rare shade with 2006 Greene Certificate.”

Nice Jubilees

Lot 542 Scott 52 NH Catalogue $67 Realized $55

Lot 546 Scott 56 NH Catalogue $275 Realized $230

Lot 548 Scott 57 NH Catalogue $290 Realized $210

Lot 584 Scott 64 LH Catalogue $1,450 Realized $1,250

This was a good selection from the popular jubilee set.

2¢ Map with "Center Cross"

Lot 631 Scott 85a Catalogue $1,400 Realized $1,350

In the past ten years, we have only recorded two other blocks of the 2¢ map imperforate with the distinctive “center cross”. One of these was a Scott 85a and the other an 85b. They are very rare. Earlier this year, a copy sold for $900 at another Maresch sale. The price at this sale is a new record price.

Well Centered Admirals

Lot 711 Unitrade 108c Catalogue $90 Realized $180

Lot 726 Scott 111 Catalogue $690 Realized $950

Lot 737 Scott 122 Catalogue $250 Realized $120

This is an interesting study in contrasts. The 3¢ had unusually wide borders and consequently attracted a very strong bid. The 10¢, which is one of the scarcest and most sought after of the Admirals, received an equally strong bid. But the $1 stamp, which seldom shines at auction, received only a weak bid. All three were NH, but this didn’t help the $1 and the fact it wasn’t that well centered certainly didn’t help.

Modern Varieties Shine

"Black Omitted "	"Missing Grey Inscription"
Lot 857 Scott 503a Catalogue $9,000 Realized $5,250	Lot 862 Unitrade 537i Catalogue $16,000 Realized $7,000

"Imperforate Block of 12" (A Rare Showpiece)

Lot 861 Scott 535a Catalogue $3,800 Realized $3,500

"Missing Gold & Tagging"

Lot 905 Scott 841a Catalogue $5,600 Realized $1,950

This was a very rare offering of blocks of Canada’s modern varieties, the likes of which we seldom see. The prices were not particularly strong, which must have been great for the buyers, but disappointing for the sellers. The new owners can be proud to have these scarce items in their collections.

The new owner of Scott 537i may wish to obtain a Certificate of Authentication as this is strongly recommended in the Unitrade Catalogue.

Sale of Multiple Copies

For some time, we have followed the sale of multiple copies of Canada’s modern stamps whenever they have appeared at auction. The stamps have generally sold for 65% to 85% of face value.

We expect that the buyers of these stamps use them for postage rather than for their collections. Naturally, they will tend to pay more for stamps with a higher denomination than a lower one, merely for convenience. After all, one can only put so many 5¢ stamps on an envelope.

Quite a few multiples were offered in the sale, most likely from the huge stock of the Kasimir Bileski Estate which Maresch has been mandated to sell at auction. Here’s how some of them did:

Sale of First Day Covers

Mini-collections of Small Queen Cancels

For more details of this sale, please click on the highlights button.

This sale had 1 New Record Price: