Lot 1519
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1860, 5¢ brown, unissued (5), well centered with full perforations on three sides, straightedge at bottom, unused. Fine example of this notorious rarity. Unitrade C$6,000 ($4,500).
Scott $10,000
ONE OF THE FEW SOUND EXAMPLES OF THE 50 OR SO THAT HAVE SURVIVED.
Historically, this is one of the most controversial stamps ever prepared for issue, and its background and circumstances have given rise to a multitude of stories supported by various eyewitness accounts and official documents.
Suffice it to say, that, for whatever reason, the head of Charles Connell, the then Postmaster General of New Brunswick, was printed on the five cents value for the 1860 issue. This was completely at variance with the policy of depicting members of the Royal Family or famous historical figures on Colonial stamps. Following the printing of 500,000 examples of the Connell stamp, the Executive Council did not approve the design and instead instructed that a new five cents stamp bearing the portrait of Queen Victoria be produced in its place. Connell resigned his position, the stamp bearing his likeness was never issued, and practically the entire print run was destroyed. Robson Lowe estimated that, aside from the proofs, approximately 50 examples of the perforated stamps intended for issue have survived. Of these, Nicholas Argenti wrote that very few perfect examples with original gum exist, and even sound examples without gum are very rare. Most of the examples still in existence are damaged with perforations missing. There are no used examples recorded.
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| Realized $6,250 |
