By Jesse Robitaille
The first portion of the Hobart Collection, featuring New Brunswick and Nova Scotia proofs, stamps, and postal history, will cross the block on Feb. 21.
The Maritime provinces issued 10 different designs between 1851, when they were still British colonies, and 1867, when they joined Canadian Confederation. The consignor has “methodically and carefully assembled” the vast collection over the past 40 years, according to chief describer Yohann Tanguay of Eastern Auctions, which will conduct the sale. Auctioneers made what Tanguay called “a valiant effort” to divide the collection—the second portion of which will be offered in June—to show the Pence and Cents issues’ proofs, stamps, and postal history “in somewhat equal share.”
“We believe this permits a larger audience with a range of philatelic budgets to participate.”
The stamps, all engraved by employees of the Perkins Bacon Company, are accompanied by “highly attractive proofs” and “fascinating postal history,” Tanguay said. He added that New Brunswick and Nova Scotia offer “a well-manageable area to any would-be specialist.”
“The offerings of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are very significant, with many rarities and often the very best of their kind. We have observed that many items were acquired decades ago, when, in our opinion, the market for these two areas was more sought after by serious collectors than nowadays.”
The Maritime provinces lack the popularity of Newfoundland and Canada, Tanguay said, “since good material from these two provinces is not as visible to the general audience, and there are far fewer good items available.”
Despite current specialists’ interests, the material “is so enticing, often rare, and overall of high quality,” he added, “and we hope seasoned and new collectors will see a great opportunity in securing significant pieces that have not seen the light of day in years for their own collections.”
“The collection is among the very best well-rounded collections of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ever assembled and to be sold at auction,” he said of both the upcoming February and June sales.
“Over the course of the two parts, collectors will be able to bid on basically complete runs of ‘Goodall’ die proofs (all five colours) for all decimal denominations as well as a spectacular array of Charles Connell proofs, including very seldom-seen compound die proofs,” Tanguay added.
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