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

Home

Topics

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

People & Society, Mourning/Death

Industry and Economy, Textiles

Advertising, Artists, Hohlwein

People & Society, Mourning/Death

Industry and Economy, Textiles

People & Society, Mourning/Death

Lot 17

190.00 CAD

Live

New Brunswick 1857 (November 27), St. John to Moncton, via the "Maid of Erin", small mourning cover, with contents, endorsed in manuscript

New Brunswick 1857 (November 27), St. John to Moncton, via the "Maid of Erin", small mourning cover, with contents, endorsed in manuscript "per Steamer Maid of Erin with one parcel" along top, very fine; ex "Martimus." There are several references to journeys of the "Maid of Erin" made during the late 1840s and throughout the 1850s, including a 1849 General Post Office notice from St. John announcing: "On and after Thursday the 21st instant, a Ship Letter Mail will be made up for the United States, and forwarded by the Steamer Maid of Erin. The Postage on the Letter by this Mail not exceeding half an ounce in weight will be 4½d, which must be paid in advance. So long as the Steamer continues her present arrangement of leaving at 7am, this office will be open for the receipt of Letters from 6am till 6:30am: after which, late Letters will be received for 15 minutes."

Industry and Economy, Textiles

Lot 103

160.00 CAD

Live

1839 (September 26), Toronto to Bannockburn, Stirling, from the 93rd Highland Regiment of Foot, via New York, stampless entire, two strikes

1839 (September 26), Toronto to Bannockburn, Stirling, from the 93rd Highland Regiment of Foot, via New York, stampless entire, two strikes of the large black double-circle CITY OF TORONTO / U.C. (Sep 23) dispatch mark and red New York (Sep 30) transit, endorsed "per Steam" at upper left, black boxed PAID handstamp and red manuscript "9" and "50" pre-payment marks, scored-out black manuscript "2/8" replaced by "3/10," reverse with red SHIP LETTER / PORTSMOUTH handstamp and red LONDON (16 Oct 1839) transit, intact wax seal, very fine. Written by James Neilson, Acting Quarter Master of the 93rd Highland Regiment of Foot, the letter addresses complications regarding a Bill of Exchange for £220 on the Bank of Upper Canada, sent to the prominent tartan manufacturers William Wilson and Son in Bannockburn. Neilson notes Colonel Spark's satisfaction with previous shipments of tartan and discusses arrangements with Army Agents Messrs. Cox and Co. to secure further funds. The 93rd Highlanders had been instrumental in suppressing the Rebellions of 1837–38.

Advertising, Artists, Hohlwein

People & Society, Mourning/Death

Advertising, Artists, Hohlwein

Lot 131

120.00 CAD

Live

1863 (February 25), Compton, Quebec, to Barton, Vermont, franked at 10c by 1859 5c deep red Beaver horizontal pair, tied by Compton

1863 (February 25), Compton, Quebec, to Barton, Vermont, franked at 10c by 1859 5c deep red Beaver horizontal pair, tied by Compton despatch double split-ring with additional free strike at left and curved "Canada" handstamp alongside, adhesives additionally tied by American nine-bar grid cancel in blue-green with matching DERBY LINE / VT (28 Feb) c.d.s. beside, backstamped with Stanstead transit, reduced at sides with opening faults on reverse, otherwise fine and visually appealing.

People & Society, Mourning/Death

Advertising, Artists, Hohlwein

Advertising

People & Society, Mourning/Death

Lot 132

50.00 CAD

Live

1864 (April 16), 10c Consort on mourning cover from Port Dover to New York, adhesive tied by black circular grid cancel, neatly-struck Port

1864 (April 16), 10c Consort on mourning cover from Port Dover to New York, adhesive tied by black circular grid cancel, neatly-struck Port Dover double split-ring despatch at right, to Oxford, New York, reverse with Seneca split-ring transit (16 Apr), fresh and fine-very fine, a pretty cover.

Advertising, Artists, Hohlwein

Advertising

Advertising, Artists, Hohlwein

Lot 134

200.00 CAD

Live

1867 (June 20), Exeter to Goderich, 25c quintuple ½oz rate cover, franked with 1859 deep red Beaver and 10c bright red purple Consort

1867 (June 20), Exeter to Goderich, 25c quintuple ½oz rate cover, franked with 1859 deep red Beaver and 10c bright red purple Consort horizontal pair, lightly struck by target cancels, very fine Exeter despatch strike at lower left, backstamped with Clinton (20 Jun) and next-day Goderich transit markings, slightly truncated at left with horizontal filing fold crossing stamps, else fine, a scarce rate.

Advertising

Lot 204

50.00 CAD

Live

1910 (June 28), Holland Rusk, the Dainty Dutch Delicacy, illustrated advertising cover to Bremen, Germany, franked with three 2c carmine

1910 (June 28), Holland Rusk, the Dainty Dutch Delicacy, illustrated advertising cover to Bremen, Germany, franked with three 2c carmine King Edward VII, tied by Toronto machine cancel, a lovely cover, attractive and very fine.

Industry and Economy, Tobacco, Smoking

Industry and Economy, Agriculture

Religion, Christian, Christmas

Industry and Economy, Tobacco, Smoking

Industry and Economy, Agriculture

Industry and Economy, Tobacco, Smoking

Lot 305

90.00 CAD

Live

1940s, World War II, Damaged by Sea Water, returned with ambulance cover, MacDonald's Overseas Parcel tobacco acknowledgement card, to the

1940s, World War II, Damaged by Sea Water, returned with ambulance cover, MacDonald's Overseas Parcel tobacco acknowledgement card, to the Canadian Legion Branch in Cambellford, Ontario, with stapled explanatory label "Received at / Canadian Overseas Postal Depot / DAMAGED BY SEA-WATER", with accompanying Returned Postal Packet envelope (No 173), addressed to the Postmaster of Campbellford, a striking tobacco card rarity.

Industry and Economy, Agriculture

Lot 306

Unitrade 268var

180.00 CAD

Live

1946, 8c red brown Peace issue, major fold-over and offset error, plate 2 lower left inscription block of four, showing a striking

1946, 8c red brown Peace issue, major fold-over and offset error, plate 2 lower left inscription block of four, showing a striking fold-over with offset of “CENTS” and part of “CANADA” in the lower left selvedge, the fold occurring after printing and before perforation, never hinged save for the upper left stamp, a dramatic production error of exceptional visual appeal, fine-very fine.

Religion, Christian, Christmas

Nature, Landscape, Parks

Religion, Christian, Christmas

Lot 313

Unitrade 528a va...

300.00 CAD

Live

1970, 6c se-tenant upper corner block of 10 with dramatic pre-printing foldover error, affecting the three upper left stamps. In fact,

1970, 6c se-tenant upper corner block of 10 with dramatic pre-printing foldover error, affecting the three upper left stamps. In fact, there is a double-foldover error, with additional black printing on one of the foldovers, exceptionally striking, destined for an advanced specialty exhibit or collection.

Nature, Landscape, Parks

Animals, Mammals, Whales, Dolphins

Animals, Mammals

Nature, Landscape, Parks

Lot 315

Unitrade 727a

60.00 CAD

Live

1979, $2 Kluane National Park, missing silver inscriptions error, with both the denomination and "Canada" omitted, top margin single, fresh

Animals, Mammals, Whales, Dolphins

Animals, Mammals

Animals, Mammals, Whales, Dolphins

Lot 319

Unitrade 1179d

120.00 CAD

Live

1990, 78c Beluga Whale, imperforate pair, never hinged, with large margins all around, fresh and very fine.

Animals, Mammals

Lot 321

Unitrade 1693ii

100.00 CAD

Live

2003, $5 Moose, pane of four with strong offset on reverse, never hinged, showing a sharp mirror impression of all four moose and the

2003, $5 Moose, pane of four with strong offset on reverse, never hinged, showing a sharp mirror impression of all four moose and the “C1” inscription in both upper and lower selvedge, a dramatic and eye-catching variety of this high-value Wildlife issue, of which only 200 have been reported, very fine.

Religion, Christian, Christmas

Sport & Games, Wintersport, Ice hockey

Nature, Flowers

Religion, Christian, Christmas

Sport & Games, Wintersport, Ice hockey

Religion, Christian, Christmas

Lot 322

Unitrade 1764b

60.00 CAD

Live

1998, 45c Christmas Angel, perforated 13.1 × 13.6, from the top margin, never hinged, an uncommon perf variety, very fine; with 2024

Sport & Games, Wintersport, Ice hockey

Lot 323

Unitrade 1838

90.00 CAD

Live

2000, NHL All Stars Thematic Pack #93 with never hinged souvenir sheet, accompanied by a Gordie Howe signed card in blue marker with jersey

2000, NHL All Stars Thematic Pack #93 with never hinged souvenir sheet, accompanied by a Gordie Howe signed card in blue marker with jersey number #9, the signature exhibiting the distinctive flair characteristic of this much-celebrated Detroit Red Wings legend, overall very fine.

Nature, Flowers

Coat of Arms, Flags

Nature, Flowers

Lot 324

50.00 CAD

Live

2002, Tulip Festival unlisted essay, for the first Canadian stamps by security printer Lowe-Martin, on thick self-adhesive paper with

2002, Tulip Festival unlisted essay, for the first Canadian stamps by security printer Lowe-Martin, on thick self-adhesive paper with die-cut slit on reverse for easy separation, from the left margin with selvedge attached, only two panes of 16 known, very fine.

Coat of Arms, Flags

Zeppelin, Other Airships

Aviation, Pioneers, Famous Pilots

Coat of Arms, Flags

Lot 328

Unitrade 2202ii,...

90.00 CAD

Live

2007/2015, $5 fabric Canada Flag artist-signed uncut press sheet, (#141 of only 1,000 issued, among the lowest quantity produced) along

2007/2015, $5 fabric Canada Flag artist-signed uncut press sheet, (#141 of only 1,000 issued, among the lowest quantity produced) along with a 2007 Lunar New Year - Year of the Pig uncut press sheet, total face value of $133, both very fine.

Zeppelin, Other Airships

Aviation, Pioneers, Famous Pilots

Zeppelin, Other Airships

Lot 331

Unitrade C1

200.00 CAD

Live

1930 (August 13), Airship R-100, Captain R.S. Booth & C.E. Rosendahl signed cover, from St. Hubert, Montreal, to Bethlehem,

1930 (August 13), Airship R-100, Captain R.S. Booth & C.E. Rosendahl signed cover, from St. Hubert, Montreal, to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, R100 airship visit souvenir cover, franked with 5c olive brown Air Mail, tied by Montreal / St. Hubert (13 Aug) c.d.s., blue "VIA AIR MAIL" instructional marking and black boxed R100 mooring mast cachet on front, signed by Squadron Leader Ralph S. Booth, Captain of the R100, and C.E. Rosendahl, distinguished American Naval Observer, reverse with Montreal / Quebec (14 Aug) transit and Bethlehem / PA. (15 Aug) arrival, a very fine souvenir cover from the visit of this famed airship, signed by two of the most prominent figures in lighter-than-air history.

Aviation, Pioneers, Famous Pilots

Lot 333

250.00 CAD

Live

1932 (July 23) Wolfgang von Gronau signed Trans-Atlantic Flight, International Airmail Society cover & letter, envelope franked with 6c

1932 (July 23) Wolfgang von Gronau signed Trans-Atlantic Flight, International Airmail Society cover & letter, envelope franked with 6c on 5c Ottawa Conference Air Post, tied by Montreal c.d.s., handstamped "SOUVENIR OF / FIRST THROUGH FLIGHT / MONTREAL, Canada" and "GERMANY - ICELAND - CANADA - U.S.A. / TRANS-ATLANTIC FLIGHT / WOLFGANG VON GRONAU / MONTREAL, CANADA", signed by von Gronau overtop, sent on the final leg of the journey, reverse with Chicago arrival backstamp (4 Aug), trivial light wrinkles, offered with a signed letter from von Gronau, on his letterhead, to Rear Admiral W.S. Crosley at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, thanking him for his hospitality in Chicago, both fresh and very fine.