Sparks 56th Auctions Spring 2026 - Stamps & Postal History of the World

Home

New Brunswick

Search for auction content

Price Range

Price from

Price to

Catalog No.

Catalog

Catalog number

Categories

Search for auction content

Price Range

Price from

Price to

Catalog No.

Catalog

Catalog number

Index

All lots Aftersale lots Sold at auction

New Brunswick

Lot 1

750.00 CAD

Sold

15.06.2026: Recent research suggests that this cover may in fact have originated in New Brunswick, New Jersey; it is, regardless, an important Revolutionary War period ship letter.

New Brunswick 1780 (March 24), the earliest recorded ship letter from New Brunswick, folded cover addressed to the Reverend Dr. Hind at the

New Brunswick 1780 (March 24), the earliest recorded ship letter from New Brunswick, folded cover addressed to the Reverend Dr. Hind at the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, redirected from St. Ann's to Westminster, struck with PORTSMOUTH / SHIP LRE handstamp, Bishop Mark '17/IV' on reverse, rated 4d sterling comprising 1d to the Ship Master and 3d internal postage, the earliest recorded ship letter from New Brunswick, some light staining, yet a rarity.

Lot 2

1,050.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1793 (July 31), St. John to Halifax, Nova Scotia, folded letter from Jonathan Bliss to Sampson Salter Blowers, with choice

New Brunswick 1793 (July 31), St. John to Halifax, Nova Scotia, folded letter from Jonathan Bliss to Sampson Salter Blowers, with choice strike of the rare ST. JOHN N:B / JUL 31 93 two-line datestamp (Jephcott 12) on the bottom flap, manuscript rate 'N9/(+)1/10' in red, slight discolored filing fold, else very fine, an exceptional Revolutionary War period letter; ex "Maritimus". The letter from Jonathan Bliss to Nova Scotia Attorney General Sampson Salter Blowers, is a fascinating wartime manuscript letter discussing the exposed military condition of Nova Scotia and neighbouring territories during the American Revolutionary War, with Bliss candidly stating “here we are in no condition to repel an attack,” noting weakness along “the whole sea coast,” reporting that “the whole N.B. Regt does not at present contain above 150 or 160 men,” warning settlements might be left “pillaged or burned,” and remarking that “the little ports in the Gulf of St Lawrence are not very safe.” He further offers important commentary on insecurity, inadequate troop strength, and fear of coastal attack in British North America. Jonathan Bliss (1742–1822) was a Massachusetts-born Loyalist lawyer who left New England during the Revolution and later became the first Chief Justice of New Brunswick, playing a leading role in the legal and political formation of the province. Sampson Salter Blowers (1741–1842) was likewise Massachusetts-born, a prominent Loyalist barrister who served as Attorney General of Nova Scotia at the time of this letter and later became Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, remaining one of the colony’s most influential public figures for decades.

Lot 3

200.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1810 (February 16), Shotleyfield, Gateshead to General Hunter in Fredericton, folded letter and estate accounts datelined

New Brunswick 1810 (February 16), Shotleyfield, Gateshead to General Hunter in Fredericton, folded letter and estate accounts datelined Shotleyfield Feb. 16, 1810, handstamped DURHAM / 263 mileage mark, rated 11d currency collect and 2/2 in red, endorsed 'single sheet', backstamped with faint Halifax (13 May) straight-line, the letter detailing repairs to farm buildings on the Hunter estates, plantation growth, and outstanding conveyances, vertical file fold and some wear to folds, a scarce letter to a prominent military figure. General Sir Martin Hunter (1757–1846), a native of Medomsley, County Durham, arrived in New Brunswick in 1803 as colonel of the New Brunswick Fencibles, the regiment that would later become the 104th Foot. As the senior military officer in the province he effectively governed New Brunswick from 1808. This letter, written from his native county and concerning the management of estates in the Durham countryside, reached him in Fredericton via Halifax in the spring of 1810, by which time Hunter was firmly established as the province's de facto governor.

Lot 4

200.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1810 (September 2), folded letter from Fredericton to St. John, with commercial contents touching on debts, lawsuits, and

New Brunswick 1810 (September 2), folded letter from Fredericton to St. John, with commercial contents touching on debts, lawsuits, and timber, rated 7d in manuscript, reverse with clear FRED,N N.B. / 2 SEPTBxR 1810 datestamp, small tear at top and stain from previous adhesive repair, else a fine example of this scarce early marking.

Lot 5

300.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1813 (December 7), Fredericton to Windsor, folded commercial letter, with manuscript Paid / 11d at upper right, overstruck

New Brunswick 1813 (December 7), Fredericton to Windsor, folded commercial letter, with manuscript Paid / 11d at upper right, overstruck with red circular PAID handstamp, endorsed "via Digby / Paid", reverse with fair FREDE,N, N.B. / 7 DEC, R; 1813 datestamp, quite fresh and very fine; ex deVolpi.

Lot 6

275.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1814 (October 11), Stockbridge, United States, to New Brunswick, folded letter datelined Lebanon Sep. 24, 1814 and continued

New Brunswick 1814 (October 11), Stockbridge, United States, to New Brunswick, folded letter datelined Lebanon Sep. 24, 1814 and continued at Stockbridge Oct. 11, 1814, rated N7 in manuscript, with faint ST. JOHN N.B. handstamp at upper left, contemporary manuscript note on reverse directing the letter via Eastport to the care of Mr. Tabor, money "to be forwarded to the States," the letter with extensive personal contents, recounting four months of illness and travel to the Ballston and Lebanon waters in search of restored health, and contemplating a visit to New Brunswick, fine-very fine and quite fresh.

Lot 9

150.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1840 (September 3), London to Chatham, New Brunswick, via Halifax, with commercial contents datelined London, rated "1/2"

New Brunswick 1840 (September 3), London to Chatham, New Brunswick, via Halifax, with commercial contents datelined London, rated "1/2" sterling collect in manuscript, endorsed "per Halifax Steamer", struck with circular "1s/4d cy" in black denoting the collect postage in currency, postmarked with Halifax / Nova Scotia double split-ring (17 Sep), reverse with crisp despatch c.d.s., very fine and scarce. A Treasury Minute dated July 6, 1840, standardized British North America inland postage at 2d sterling - or 2½ currency - for all transatlantic packet mail via Halifax, and produced a uniform rate for total postage at 1/2 sterling, or 1N4 currency. The Post Office took the opportunity to introduce handstamps for Collect letters, expressing this amount due in currency.

Lot 10

225.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1840 (November 5), Greenock to Miramichi, folded letter endorsed 'p. Great Western from Bristol,' rated 2N5½ collect with

New Brunswick 1840 (November 5), Greenock to Miramichi, folded letter endorsed 'p. Great Western from Bristol,' rated 2N5½ collect with '8' in red manuscript denoting the ship letter fee in sterling, struck with framed GREENOCK / NO 5 A / 1840 datestamp, with Woodstock double-circle c.d.s. (28 Nov) and Fredericton c.d.s. (30 Nov) further struck on front, the letter reporting the dishonour under protest of a bill for £356.7.6 drawn on W.B. Winter Esq. of Bristol, unusually fresh, a very fine transatlantic letter.

Lot 11

80.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1841 (May 15), folded letter from Halifax to Mirimachi via Richibucto, with commercial contents, struck with Halifax / Nova

New Brunswick 1841 (May 15), folded letter from Halifax to Mirimachi via Richibucto, with commercial contents, struck with Halifax / Nova Scotia double split-ring despatch at upper right, manuscript "forwarded 2N" in manuscript alongside, choice strike of Richibucto Star cancel at lower left, a lovely example of this uncommon postmark.

Lot 12

150.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1843 (August 2), Colchester to Chatham, New Brunswick, via Halifax, with commercial contents, struck on reverse with

New Brunswick 1843 (August 2), Colchester to Chatham, New Brunswick, via Halifax, with commercial contents, struck on reverse with Colchester double split-ring despatch, rated 1/2 in sterling collect, struck with red converted "1S/4D Cy" circular handstamp, filing folds and some light aging, but a fine strike of this elusive marking.

Lot 13

150.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1845 (October 9), money letter from Madawaska to Fredericton, folded cover, rated 9d in manuscript, endorsed "Money Letter"

New Brunswick 1845 (October 9), money letter from Madawaska to Fredericton, folded cover, rated 9d in manuscript, endorsed "Money Letter" in manuscript, struck with red MADAWASKA / NEW BRUNSWICK double split-ring, with date in manuscript, next-day Fredericton c.d.s. receiver below, scarce and unusually fresh, very fine.

Lot 14

450.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1854 (October 14), Woodstock to Folkingham, Lincolnshire, England, cover struck with Woodstock despatch c.d.s. overstruck

New Brunswick 1854 (October 14), Woodstock to Folkingham, Lincolnshire, England, cover struck with Woodstock despatch c.d.s. overstruck with LIVERPOOL / PAID tombstone and additional transit c.d.s., red BRITISH / 5d / CLAIM handstamp alongside, being the 5d packet postage to the United Kingdom, backstamped Woodstock (14 Oct), St. John New Brunswick (16 Oct) and Folkingham (7 Nov), fine-very fine.

Lot 15

225.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1855 (October 29), St. Stephens / Paid 6d, double rate cover to Fredericton, with manuscript "paid" at upper left and clear

New Brunswick 1855 (October 29), St. Stephens / Paid 6d, double rate cover to Fredericton, with manuscript "paid" at upper left and clear ST. STEPHENS / N.B./ PAID double split-ring with circular PAID 6D struck at centre, reverse with St. Stephen (without the final 's') (29 Oct), St. Andrew (30 Oct) in blue, St. John New Brunswick (31 Oct), and Fredericton (31 Oct) backstamps, small opening tears to back fold, usual filing folds, a desirable example of this scarce paid marking.

Lot 16

400.00 CAD

Sold

New Brunswick 1857 (May 25), steamboat letter from St. John to Boston, with commercial contents, handstamped "10" (due) in black, with a

New Brunswick 1857 (May 25), steamboat letter from St. John to Boston, with commercial contents, handstamped "10" (due) in black, with a fair straight-line STEAMBOAT alongside, fine. The contents consist of a letter from the master of a timber ship, John Martin, reporting to his owners Messrs. Wainwright & Tapper that he is ready for sea after finishing loading, the ship drawing 19 feet 8 inches aft with 264 standard of timber aboard, too deep to risk a deck load and requiring pumping twice daily. He notes that the first mate satisfactory but the second will be discharged in Liverpool.

Lot 55

90.00 CAD

Sold

Pre-Confederation Quebec 1830 (December 18), folded cover from St. Andrews to Quebec City, dated "11d" in red manuscript, struck with

Pre-Confederation Quebec 1830 (December 18), folded cover from St. Andrews to Quebec City, dated "11d" in red manuscript, struck with choice St. Andrews double split-ring with date in manuscript, addressed to "the Honourable Felton" in Quebec, with docketing suggesting the contents pertained to a petition for employment, fresh and very fine. "The Honourable Felton" would have been William Bowman Felton (1782–1837), a British naval officer who settled in the Eastern Townships after the Napoleonic Wars and was named to the Legislative Council of Lower Canada in 1822, becoming a man of significant influence, and was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands in 1827. He was instrumental in selling and managing crown lands in the Eastern Townships but was suspended in 1836 over allegations of mismanagement.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick Revenue stamps

Lot 392

750.00 CAD

Live

1850 (22 May), Great Britain 1d red on transatlantic folded letter from St. John to London, reverse with St. John double split-ring

1850 (22 May), Great Britain 1d red on transatlantic folded letter from St. John to London, reverse with St. John double split-ring despatch, addressed to the Jamaica Coffee House, with London / Lombard Street Maltese Cross transit (4 Jun) and red c.d.s. alongside, redirected to Weston Super Mare, Somersetshire, thus affixed with Great Britain 1d red, letterd JJ, tied to cover by "15" barred numeral, neat next-day receiver datestamp, vertical fold and some creasing, but a rare entire, an exceptionally early example of mail from New Brunswick bearing a stamp.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick Revenue stamps

Lot 393

Unitrade 5P

170.00 CAD

Sold

1860, 5c brown Charles Connell, plate proof pair, on India paper, four large even margins, fresh and very fine.

New Brunswick Revenue stamps

Lot 471

No. NBL1-NB...

110.00 CAD

Sold

1884, 10c to 50c blue New Brunswick Law stamps, in plate strips of three, quite fragile with separation in several places, still desireable

1884, 10c to 50c blue New Brunswick Law stamps, in plate strips of three, quite fragile with separation in several places, still desireable and attractive, catalogued as hinged, though there are a few NH in the group, fine or better.