Auction preview: Sparks to host next sale in January

Sparks Auctions is slated to host its next auction at its Ottawa headquarters on Jan. 30-31.

Auction #26 will continue to offer a “good variety of quality material, and for all collecting interests and budgets,” according to auctioneers, who added they are “proud to have been entrusted with several high quality collections.”

CANADA, BNA MATERIAL

The Canada and British North America section is “full of lovely material,” said auctioneers, “with probably the most high-quality stamps we have offered yet in a single sale, as well as a very wide range of Unitrade listed items.”

Many lots in this section are offered with expertization certificates. Of note are many fresh and mint never hinged stamps in singles, blocks of four, plate blocks as well as complete sheet.

Lot 272 has an opening bid of $525.

Among the highlights is Lot 272, a 1903 five-cent King Edward VII stamp (Scott #91) described by auctioneers as “mint never hinged and fresh, perfectly centred among four large margins, extremely fine.”

Accompanied by a 2016 Philatelic Foundation certificate grading it as “XF-S 95,” this stamp has an opening bid of $525 and a Unitrade catalogue value of $1,400.

“We have the honour of offering a unique collection of Prince Edward Island stamps, which won the Grand Award at the 1957 National Exhibition in Ottawa, the Grand Award at the 1956 BNAPEX and which had been put away since 1964. You will find in it much rare and not often offered or seen material.”

WORLDWIDE LOTS, COLLECTIONS

The worldwide lots and collections section offers a “good selection of different country collections, in albums, stockbooks, dealer stock, and more.”

Of note are collections from the Netherlands; Nepal; and Canada, the latter of which includes many self-adhesives, high values and Permanent stamps.

Collection highlights include Lot 1243, a mint and used accumulation of more than 20 countries with an estimate of $1,700. All material is displayed on black stock sheets in a Lighthouse binder in a slip case. Among the countries are:

  • Ceylon ($2,825), including Scott #319-328 (hinged);
  • Hong Kong ($3,268), including Scott #12 (unused no gum), #36b (vibrant colour), #47, #69 and modern definitive sets;
  • North Borneo ($2,915), including Scott #34-43 (hinged imperforate), #44 (hinged), #193-207 (hinged), #280-295 (hinged);
  • Straits Settlements ($1,481), including mainly used stamps;
  • India ($860), including Scott #O12 (used but scuffed), #C1-C6 (hinged) and 254-271 (hinged);
  • Aden ($764), including #11 (used), #10 (hinged);
  • Singapore ($650), including definitive sets and souvenir sheets; and
  • Malaya ($570), including Penang #28-44 (hinged), Kedah #83-93 (hinged) and Selangor #36 (hinged).

The total Scott catalogue value is $14,850.

PLACE A BID

If you are unable to attend the sale or lot viewing, you can bid using Stamp Auction Network; via e-mail; or by faxing or calling in your bids.

According to auctioneers, catalogues will be mailed to subscribers by the end of the year.

“This is an exciting time here at Sparks Auctions, especially since our memorable September 2017 sale, where we once again realized several world record prices, including the highest price ever paid for a Canadian stamp, C$327,750 for a lovely mint 12d Queen Victoria,” reads a statement issued by Sparks earlier this month.

“Finally, as hard as it is to believe that we are so close to the end of 2017, we must take this opportunity to thank all who are customers, consignor or other friends of Sparks Auctions, and wish you all the best of the season. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and best wishes for a Happy New Year!”

Sparks’ offices will be closed until Jan. 4, but staff can still be reached by voicemail and e-mail until that time.

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