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

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France

France Franco Prussian War

France

Lot 41

250.00 CAD

Live

Pre-Confederation Quebec 1773 (October 13), Quebec, bill of exchange for three thousand livres drawn by François Levesque, endorsed and

Pre-Confederation Quebec 1773 (October 13), Quebec, bill of exchange for three thousand livres drawn by François Levesque, endorsed and protested for non-payment, incorporating a formal notarial protest dated at Nantes, 24 November 1773, recording the refusal to accept the bill, with two notarial signatures, "BRETAGNE / UN SOL" fee handstamp on reverse, very fine and most attractive. François Lévesque (1732–1787) was a prominent French-born merchant and political figure in Quebec, associated with the firm of Havy et Lefebvre, who bridged the transition from the French regime to British rule. He remained in Canada after the British victory, becoming a member of the Legislative and Executive Councils.

Lot 45

120.00 CAD

Live

Pre-Confederation Quebec 1794 (August 21), folded cover to Major General Holland, Surveyor General, Quebec, endorsed "H.M.S.", with

Pre-Confederation Quebec 1794 (August 21), folded cover to Major General Holland, Surveyor General, Quebec, endorsed "H.M.S.", with manuscript free frank of "E.B. Littlehales" in manuscript, with receipt docketing on reverse "from Major Littlehales / 21 August 1794 / Came to Hand / Sept 5th," the franking privilege in Canada being permitted to Postmasters, Surveyors General, and for letters and packets to and from the King, intact wax seal on reverse, light filing folds, fine. Major Samuel Holland (1728–1801) was Surveyor General of Quebec and one of the most significant figures in the mapping of British North America, responsible for surveys of extraordinary scope including the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Prince Edward Island, and much of the eastern seaboard. His correspondent, Major Edward Baker Littlehales, served as Military Secretary to Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe of Upper Canada.

France Franco Prussian War

France

France Franco Prussian War

Lot 637

200.00 CAD

Live

1870 (December 30), Paris to Cambes (Gironde), Siege of Paris Ballon Monté, franked with 20c blue Cérès definitive tied by PARIS / ST.

1870 (December 30), Paris to Cambes (Gironde), Siege of Paris Ballon Monté, franked with 20c blue Cérès definitive tied by PARIS / ST. HONORÉ c.d.s., manuscript directive "par ballon monté" on face, Bordeaux (2 Jan) arrival on reverse, some tears at folds and margins with a tiny piece missing, not significantly affecting legibility or the postmarks, fine-very fine. Carried aboard the balloon Armée de la Loire, which departed the Gare du Nord on December 31, 1870, the letter comprises an extensive four-page manuscript from a soldier to his wife, striking a defiant tone throughout, noting that Paris "will resist to the last piece of bread, the last bullet," dismissing Prussian strategy and praying that "the cause of our poor country, surely the cause of civilization itself, may triumph in the struggle that is ruining two peoples." The flight landed eight hours later in a field between Montbizot and St. Jamme-sur-Sarthe after the aeronaut nearly jettisoned the mail sacks to avoid capture.

France

France Autographs

France

Lot 638

50.00 CAD

Live

1874 (October 21), Moreuil (Somme) to Paris, folded letter comprising a manuscript invoice for a hosiery shipment, franked with five 5c

1874 (October 21), Moreuil (Somme) to Paris, folded letter comprising a manuscript invoice for a hosiery shipment, franked with five 5c yellow green on pale blue perforated Cérès, tied by #2534 Gros Chiffres cancellation, with matching Moreuil (21 Oct) c.d.s. datestamp, reverse with Amiens a Paris (22 Oct) railway transit and two Paris (22 Oct) arrival backstamps, a charming franking, very fine.

France

France Autographs

Lot 639

Scott 87

200.00 CAD

Live

1877, 1c black on Prussian blue, Type Sage, Type II, tied to small piece by clear 1880 (21 Aug) c.d.s., fresh deep colour, single pulled

1877, 1c black on Prussian blue, Type Sage, Type II, tied to small piece by clear 1880 (21 Aug) c.d.s., fresh deep colour, single pulled perf at top noted for strict accuracy, else scarce and fine; with 2011 Martins Philatélie certificate. (Yvert 84).

France Autographs

Lot 640

150.00 CAD

Live

1910 (September), Maurice Tétard, pioneer aviator signed postcard, depicting the pilot and his Bristol biplane, signed in violet

1910 (September), Maurice Tétard, pioneer aviator signed postcard, depicting the pilot and his Bristol biplane, signed in violet "Aérodrome de Brooklands Angleterre, September 1910" with his name below, a choice signed early aviation card. Maurice Tétard was a French aviation pioneer and professional exhibition pilot active circa 1909–1911, flying Blériot-type monoplanes in long-distance demonstrations and international aviation displays that helped popularize early powered flight. In 1910 he was active on the British exhibition circuit, including flying meetings at Brooklands, then the principal centre of aviation in Britain, where Continental pilots showcased altitude, endurance, and passenger-carrying flights.

France

Lot 641

Scott 197

50.00 CAD

Live

1923, 1fr claret & olive Bordeaux Philatelic Congress, used on small piece, nicely-centred, very fine. (Yvert 182)

Lot 642

Scott 226

350.00 CAD

Live

1925, 5fr carmine Paris Exhibition souvenir sheet of four, never hinged original gum, the odd trivial tone spot in top margin, primarily

1925, 5fr carmine Paris Exhibition souvenir sheet of four, never hinged original gum, the odd trivial tone spot in top margin, primarily visible from reverse, else quite fresh and very fine. (Yvert 1).

France

France Autographs

Lot 643

Scott 241

100.00 CAD

Live

1927 (June 6), 5f+5f Strasbourg Philatelic Exhibition souvenir sheet, favour cancelled with Strasbourg Exposition Philatélique

1927 (June 6), 5f+5f Strasbourg Philatelic Exhibition souvenir sheet, favour cancelled with Strasbourg Exposition Philatélique Internationale (June 6) c.d.s., never hinged original gum, crisp central exhibition cancellation, the second souvenir sheet issued by France, fresh and very fine.

France Autographs

France

France Autographs

Lot 644

200.00 CAD

Live

1927 (October 10), Paris to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Costes and Le Brix first non-stop South Atlantic flight cover franked with 1f50

1927 (October 10), Paris to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Costes and Le Brix first non-stop South Atlantic flight cover franked with 1f50 Pasteur and 3f Merson, each tied by BOURGET-AVIATION / SEINE (Oct 10) c.d.s., two red "Par Avion" etiquettes on face, signed by pilot Dieudonné Costes, Buenos Aires (Oct 20) machine arrival cancel at top commemorating the "COSTES Y LE BRIX 12,400 kilometre flight of 72 hours PARIS–BUENOS AIRES", very fine and scarce; signed Muller. (AAMS #1063) Costes and Le Brix completed the first non-stop aerial crossing of the South Atlantic in a Breguet 19 biplane, covering 12,400 kilometres in 72 hours; only 17 covers are recorded as having been carried on this flight.

France

Lot 645

Scott 246

60.00 CAD

Live

1929, 2f reddish brown Merson, overprinted "Exposition Philatélique Le Havre 1929", used with c.d.s. cancellation, fine to very fine.

Lot 646

Scott 477-480...

120.00 CAD

Live

1944, 10c-50c Gallic Cock and 1.50fr Marianne, double printing varieties, 5 different values showing the distinct doubling, offering strong

1944, 10c-50c Gallic Cock and 1.50fr Marianne, double printing varieties, 5 different values showing the distinct doubling, offering strong eye appeal and making this an appealing group, each never hinged, with fresh colour, fine or better and quite striking.

Lot 648

Scott C1-C2

50.00 CAD

Live

1927, 2fr & 5fr Air Post overprints, used set of two, fresh and fine-very fine.

Lot 649

Scott C8-C14

50.00 CAD

Live

1936, 85c to 50fr Airplane Over Paris, the complete Air Post set, each struck with c.d.s. postmark, fresh and fine-very fine.

Lot 650

Scott C15

50.00 CAD

Live

1936, 50fr Monopolane Over Paris, used with light c.d.s. cancellation, bright colour, very fine.

France

France Collections

Lot 651

Scott 3736-37...

150.00 CAD

Live

2017, 2,000D to 5,000D Mammals, lower left corner blocks of four, never hinged, depicting the Guinea Baboon, Spotted Hyena, and Lion, a

France Collections

Lot 1110

Video

500.00 CAD

Live

France, 1820/1875, exceptional and highly specialised used collection on personalised homemade pages representing a lifetime of philatelic

France, 1820/1875, exceptional and highly specialised used collection on personalised homemade pages representing a lifetime of philatelic study, opening with five stampless folded covers from the 1820s–1840s followed by the 1849–50 Cérès Republic issues with two copies each of the 10c and 15c (one 10c expertised), three copies of the 40c (one expertised), and three copies of the 1-franc high value, continuing with the scarce 1852 "REPUB FRANC" presidency issues including two 10c examples, a formidable study of the Napoleon III imperforate series crowned by a rare 1-franc carmine signed by expert A.P. Ferrare of Buenos Aires, the perforated and laureated Napoleon III issues highlighted by three copies of the 5-franc Empire high value, the 1870 Bordeaux imperforate Cérès well represented including three 80c values, and concluding with the 1871–75 perforated Republic issues, throughout which 25 franked folded letters are interspersed showcasing rates and cancellation types including Gros Chiffres and Petit Chiffres, every stamp selected for its subtype or specific cancel with detailed cross-referencing to Michel, Scott, and Yvert catalogues, condition above average with some minor faults as expected, clean throughout, mostly fine or better.

Lot 1111

300.00 CAD

Live

France, 1876/1927, used collection on specialised homemade pages, comprising a detailed study of France from the Sage “Peace and

France, 1876/1927, used collection on specialised homemade pages, comprising a detailed study of France from the Sage “Peace and Commerce” issues onward, with significant duplication and clear differentiation of Type I and Type II subtypes, continuing through the Type Blanc, Rights of Man, and Merson definitives, then the Sower issues in both Lined and Cameo types, together with the Pasteur series, many stamps selected for shades, types, and a diverse range of cancellation interest, note 1925 Paris Philatelic Exhibition souvenir sheet (Sc. 226, c.v. $1,100, some gum creasing and slight tear at bottom), also including a selection of commemoratives and semi-postals, with 23 covers and postcards interspersed throughout, better items noted throughout, a high cataloguing lot, condition generally above average for so extensive a holding, considerable scope for the specialist or dealer alike.