Although 51,000 were printed, only 1,510 had been sold by 1857 when the remainder were recalled and destroyed. Printed by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson, the 12-penny black was part of Canada’s first series of postage stamps. The design was based on a portrait of a young Queen Victoria by Alfred Edward Chalon. Victoria was 32 years of age at the time the stamp was ordered, but the portrait had been executed years before, when Victoria was just 18. It is believed that approximately 100 examples remain. Continue reading →
Vance Auctions, headquartered in Smithville, Ont., stands out as one of four stamp firms in Canada recognized among the "Most Influential Companies in Philately."
