Lot 30
o
Canada, 1851, Queen Victoria, 12d black, laid paper (Unitrade 3), ample to mostly large margins with intense color and a bold target cancel, fresh and Very Fine. Scott 3 $100,000. Unitrade C$225,000 ($168,750),
A FRESH AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS GREAT CANADIAN RARITY, WHICH IS RARELY ENCOUNTERED COMPLETELY SOUND AND WITH FOUR FULL MARGINS.
Expertization: 1987 PF Certificate.
The New York priinting firm of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edison (who also printed the first issue of United States stamps in 1847) delivered 255 sheets of 200 of the twelve pence black, a total of 51,000 stamps, to Canadian postal authorities in May of 1851. The stamp was issued for prepayment of the basic letter rate to Newfoundland, Bermuda and the West Indies, but it also paid the double 6d rate to the United States and certain other countries, all of which could easily be paid with a pair of 6d stamps. Consequently, the stamp proved to be quite unpopular and saw limited distribution to just eighteen post offices throughout Canada. Only 1,450 stamps were ever sold and all remaining copies were destroyed on May 1, 1857.
|
| |
| Realized $42,500 |
