Eastern Auctions’ May 25-27 sale features more than 700 lots
A comprehensive collection on St. Pierre and Miquelon formed over decades by prolific author James R. Taylor will be featured in Eastern Auctions’ May 25-27 sale.
“James Taylor is an authority on the subject,” according to Yohann Tanguay, Eastern’s chief describer. “Many years of diligent collecting and research by Taylor have culminated in several gold-medal awards for his wide-ranging collections: from traditional eight-frame to one-frame exhibits pertaining to 20th-century definitive series.”
More than 140 lots on the French territory of St. Pierre and Miquelon are being offered, from the early stampless period and French colonies issues used in St. Pierre and Miquelon to elusive classics, modern stamps and postal history, said Tanguay.
The May sales catalogue – available online in PDF format at easternauctions.com – includes an article by Taylor entitled: “St. Pierre and Miquelon: The enclave within Canadian waters.”
“The production of St. Pierre and Miquelon’s stamps for the past 60 years has been of exceptional quality, highly prized by collectors,” Taylor writes. “New euro currency stamps were introduced in 2002. St. Pierre is the only territory in North America to use European money.”
Among the Taylor collection is a “remarkable” set of three single-franking provisionals with a Feb.12, 1886 postmark, the second day of issue (Lot 42). The set includes a five-cent, 10-cent and 15-cent black typographed imperforate on matching individually franked covers.
“All are rarely seen on covers,” states the description. “A remarkable trio in immaculate condition.”
The description includes an excerpt from Taylor’s notes: “To prevent and discourage forgers, these stamps were not sold directly to the public. Postal patrons had to hand his letter with payment to a special clerk, who would place the letter in an envelope with a provisional stamp affixed.”
The lot is estimated to sell for at least $7,500.
Tanguay said the live auction includes “an interesting selection of nearly 100 lots of Newfoundland, including noteworthy cents issues with rare essays, die proofs and superb stamps, and a notable display of the 1865-90s harp seal (stamps).”
Other highlights include the Peter Motson collection of “Krippner hand-painted covers from single covers to extensive groupings, a few pioneer airmail rarities, and postal stationery oddities with proofs, specimens, unusual frankings,” said Tanguay.
Lots 438 to 720 comprise the Canada section, which includes major rarities of the King George VI era.
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