Categories
1851/60: 1 d. red-brown on bluish paper, imperforate, a used
example ...more 1851/60: 1 d. red-brown on bluish paper, imperforate, a used example with good to large margins all round, lightly cancelled in black. Choice and fine. Signed Brun Gi = £ 475
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 * SUPERB, LH, SPECTACULAR GEM! Ex. Koh, with ...more
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 * SUPERB, LH, SPECTACULAR GEM! Ex. Koh, with 2
Certs.
Scott #1, Value $7,000
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 * SUPERB, OG, RARE GEM! Ex. Lichtenstein, ...more
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 * SUPERB, OG, RARE GEM! Ex. Lichtenstein, VGG.
Cert.
Scott #1, Value $6,000
Nova Scotia, 1853, 1p Red Brown (1; SG 1). Original gum with
brownish ...more Nova Scotia, 1853, 1p Red Brown (1; SG 1). Original gum with brownish toned bands, large to full margins on each side, rich color and a bold impression, Very Fine, a handsome original gum example of this Nova Scotia classic, with 2000 Greene Foundation certificate, Scott $4,000, SG £3,250, Unitrade C$6,000
![Auction]](/en/images/philasearch/ico_people.png "Auction")
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 * CHOICE, VF, OG, RARE GEM. PSE. Cert.
Scott #1, ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 * CHOICE, VF, OG, RARE GEM. PSE. Cert.
Scott #1, Value $4,000
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 O SPECTACULAR used example, SUPERB RARE GEM.
With ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 O SPECTACULAR used example, SUPERB RARE GEM. With 2 Certs, 1 graded 98J.
Scott #1, Value $0
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1/6 RP 1p, 3p, 6p, 1/-, Set of 4 pairs,
"REPRINTS", ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1/6 RP 1p, 3p, 6p, 1/-, Set of 4 pairs, "REPRINTS", VF, SCARCE!
Scott #1RP-6RP, Value $1,250
Nova Scotia, 1851, 3p Bright Blue (2; SG 3). Unused (no gum), ...more
Nova Scotia, 1851, 3p Bright Blue (2; SG 3). Unused (no gum), large
balanced margins, wonderfully fresh color, unusually sharp
impression on fresh paper, Extremely Fine, with 2018 Greene
Foundation certificate, Scott $2,000, SG £1,400, Unitrade C$1,600
1851, 3d bright blue (Scott 2), unused without gum, rich
color and ...more 1851, 3d bright blue (Scott 2), unused without gum, rich color and ample, well balanced margins, Very Fine, with a 1985 Greene Foundation certificate.
Scott $2,000 for o.g.
1851-60 3d deep blue vertical pair, Imperf with clear margins ...more
1851-60 3d deep blue vertical pair, Imperf with clear margins all
round, lightly cancelled - very fine used, Buhler Photo Cert. (2)
{U} [US1] (Start Price / Minimum Bid) = £213.60) (SG catalogue
value = £450)
1851 QV: 3d deep blue on bluish paper, imperf with 4 good, ...more
1851 QV: 3d deep blue on bluish paper, imperf with 4 good, equal
margins. Fine used with h/r. Good colour. {U} (Start Price /
Minimum Bid) = £88.00) (SG catalogue value = £225)
1851-60 3d deep blue used, touched at left, rounded lower ...more
1851-60 3d deep blue used, touched at left, rounded lower right
corner {U} [US2] (Start Price / Minimum Bid) = £19.20) (SG
catalogue value = £225)
3 P. blau a. bläulich, ganze Marke mit anhängender ...more
3 P. blau a. bläulich, ganze Marke mit anhängender diagonal
halbierter Marke und sauberem Federzug, m.E. wohl Original, Kab
![1851 3d deep blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. {U} [US1] ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A09352/S101/v3294.jpg)
1851 3d deep blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. {U}
[US1] ...more 1851 3d deep blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. {U} [US1] (Start Price / Minimum Bid) = £88.80) (SG catalogue value = £225)
![1851 3d deep blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. {U} [US1] ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A09352/S101/v3295.jpg)
1851 3d deep blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. {U}
[US1] ...more 1851 3d deep blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. {U} [US1] (Start Price / Minimum Bid) = £88.80) (SG catalogue value = £225)
1851-60 3d deep blue fresh unued no gum, close to good ...more
1851-60 3d deep blue fresh unued no gum, close to good margins,
Vincent Graves Greene(1996) certificate {MH} [US1] (Start Price /
Minimum Bid) = £213.60) (SG catalogue value = £1500)
![1851-60 3d deep blue fine used, small to good margins {U} [US1] ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A09352/S101/v3302.jpg)
1851-60 3d deep blue fine used, small to good margins {U} ...more
1851-60 3d deep blue fine used, small to good margins {U} [US1]
(Start Price / Minimum Bid) = £42.40) (SG catalogue value = £225)
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#2b * Pale Blue, XF, OG, RARE! With Cert.
Scott #2b, ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#2b * Pale Blue, XF, OG, RARE! With Cert.
Scott #2b, Value $3,200
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#2b O "Pale Blue", SUPERB used, RARE QUALITY! ...more
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#2b O "Pale Blue", SUPERB used, RARE QUALITY! With
Cert.
Scott #2b, Value $0
Nova Scotia. 1851-60 Issue. 3d. deep blue bisected diagonally and
6d. ...more Nova Scotia. 1851-60 Issue. 3d. deep blue bisected diagonally and 6d. yellow-green, both tied to small c.1860 piece by barred oval and part d.s.; 6d. lightly touched along one side otherwise fine and scarce. The reverse of the piece with Buhler handstamps and signatures. S.G. 2a, 5, £3,250 (Estimate £200 - £250)
1857 Nova Scotia “House Cover†to England, Bearing 3d ...more
1857 Nova Scotia “House Cover†to England, Bearing 3d Blue
Bisect & 6d Yellow-Green — Correct 7½d Rate Cat $7200.
1857 folded letter to Newcastle-on-Tyne, franked with a bisected 1851–57 3d deep blue on bluish paper (SG 2a), used as 1½d, and a 6d yellow-green on bluish paper (SG 5), both imperforate. The stamps are cancelled by a framed oval grid in black. On the front, below the stamps, is a red ‘PKT. LETTER / PAID / LIVERPOOL’ tombstone datestamp dated 14.6.57. Backstamped with Nova Scotia and Newcastle-on-Tyne datestamps.
This franking represents the correct 7½d rate, the standard single-letter charge to the UK. As there was no 1½d adhesive available, the Postmaster General authorised the use of bisected 3d stamps on October 19, 1854. The 3d deep blue bisect is recorded in only three combinations for making up this transatlantic 7½d rate.
A visually appealing and scarce bisect usage, despite the reduced back, and an important addition to any serious collection of Nova Scotia postal history.
The term “House cover†in this context refers to a specific and well-known 1855 Nova Scotia cover sent by the firm Blackwood & House, a Halifax-based mercantile company. These covers were addressed to their partner office in England and are notable because several early bisect usages—especially of the 3d blue bisect + 6d green to pay 7½d—were sent by or to this firm.
So when philatelists say “House coverâ€, they’re referring to:
A genuine, commercial usage of bisected Nova Scotia stamps,
Usually mailed by Blackwood & House,
And often considered part of the earliest known examples of the authorised bisect practice after the 1854 PMG directive.
These covers are among the few documented and accepted uses of the bisect to make up the UK letter rate.
Because they originated from a known sender, they're used as benchmarks for authenticity and proper usage.
There are only a handful known - hence the high auction values and collector interest.
P.A. Expertising Limited
![Mail Auction]](/en/images/philasearch/ico_mailauction.png "Mail Auction")
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 ** SUPERB, NH, RARE QUALITY GEM! VGG. Cert.
Scott ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 ** SUPERB, NH, RARE QUALITY GEM! VGG. Cert.
Scott #3, Value $7,500
1851, 3d dark blue (Scott 3), a lovely mint example, ...more
1851, 3d dark blue (Scott 3), a lovely mint example, o.g.,
wonderfully fresh with ample to large margins and exquisite color,
Very Fine. A real beauty! with a 2005 Greene Foundation
certificate.
Scott $3,000.
Nova Scotia, 1851, 3p Dark Blue (3; SG 2). Original gum, small
h.r., ...more Nova Scotia, 1851, 3p Dark Blue (3; SG 2). Original gum, small h.r., large to full margins all around, strong rich color with an intense impression on lightly blued paper, Extremely Fine, a handsome original gum example in superb condition, ex "Alan", with 2014 Greene Foundation certificate, Scott $3,000, SG £1,500, Unitrade C$4,400
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 O SUPERB example tied to piece, dated (SP. ...more
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 O SUPERB example tied to piece, dated (SP. 15,
1856) 1 year befor the Official FIRST DAY of Issue, EXTREMELY RARE!
VGG. Cert.
Scott #3, Value $0
![NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 [C] SUPERB example tied to cover, CHOICE! Scott #3 ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A09687/S1/v11833.jpg)
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 [C] SUPERB example tied to cover, CHOICE!
Scott ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 [C] SUPERB example tied to cover, CHOICE!
Scott #3, Value $0
![NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 [C] SUPERB example tied to cover, CHOICE! Scott #3 ...](https://cdn.philasearch.com/A09687/S1/v11834.jpg)
NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 [C] SUPERB example tied to cover, CHOICE!
Scott ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 [C] SUPERB example tied to cover, CHOICE!
Scott #3, Value $0
Nova Scotia, 1858, inland cover to Colchester1858 folded letter
from ...more Nova Scotia, 1858, inland cover to Colchester1858 folded letter from Wilmot to New Annan, Colchester County, franked at the 3d inland rate with a fine example of the 1851 3d bright blue on bluish paper, first printing (SG 3), tied by grid cancel. Clear "LONDONDERRY N.S. DE 10 8" circular date stamp alongside
Nova Scotia, 1854 cover from Truro to Halifax, franked 3d Dark ...more
Nova Scotia, 1854 cover from Truro to Halifax, franked 3d Dark Blue
(SG 3) with near-perfect margins, paying the domestic rate, tied by
a crisp mute grid
1851 3d bright blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. ...more
1851 3d bright blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. {U}
[US1] (Start Price / Minimum Bid) = £88.80) (SG catalogue value =
£200)
Corinphila stamp auction
Lot 967
SG
1
example ...more 1851/60: 1 d. red-brown on bluish paper, imperforate, a used example with good to large margins all round, lightly cancelled in black. Choice and fine. Signed Brun Gi = £ 475
LIVE!
150.00 CHF
(app. 164 EUR)
Sold
(app. 164 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11796
SC
1
Scott #1, Value $7,000
Fixed Price
3750.00 USD
(app. 3248 EUR)
(app. 3248 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11711
SC
1
Scott #1, Value $6,000
Fixed Price
3500.00 USD
(app. 3031 EUR)
(app. 3031 EUR)
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
Lot 362
SC
1
SG
1
brownish ...more Nova Scotia, 1853, 1p Red Brown (1; SG 1). Original gum with brownish toned bands, large to full margins on each side, rich color and a bold impression, Very Fine, a handsome original gum example of this Nova Scotia classic, with 2000 Greene Foundation certificate, Scott $4,000, SG £3,250, Unitrade C$6,000
800.00 USD
(app. 693 EUR)
Sold
(app. 693 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11897
SC
1
Scott #1, ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 * CHOICE, VF, OG, RARE GEM. PSE. Cert.
Scott #1, Value $4,000
Fixed Price
1100.00 USD
(app. 953 EUR)
(app. 953 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11824
SC
1
With ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1 O SPECTACULAR used example, SUPERB RARE GEM. With 2 Certs, 1 graded 98J.
Scott #1, Value $0
Fixed Price
1200.00 USD
(app. 1039 EUR)
(app. 1039 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11902
SC
1RP-6RP
"REPRINTS", ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#1/6 RP 1p, 3p, 6p, 1/-, Set of 4 pairs, "REPRINTS", VF, SCARCE!
Scott #1RP-6RP, Value $1,250
Fixed Price
550.00 USD
(app. 476 EUR)
(app. 476 EUR)
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
Lot 363
SC
2
SG
3
400.00 USD
(app. 346 EUR)
Sold
(app. 346 EUR)
Kelleher Auctions
Lot 2084
SC
2
color and ...more 1851, 3d bright blue (Scott 2), unused without gum, rich color and ample, well balanced margins, Very Fine, with a 1985 Greene Foundation certificate.
Scott $2,000 for o.g.
660.00 USD
(app. 572 EUR)
Sold
(app. 572 EUR)
Universal Philatelic Auctions
Lot 3300
SG
2
213.00 GBP
(app. 246 EUR)
04/07/2026 17:00 BST
(app. 246 EUR)
Universal Philatelic Auctions
Lot 3293
SG
2
88.00 GBP
(app. 102 EUR)
04/07/2026 17:00 BST
(app. 102 EUR)
Universal Philatelic Auctions
Lot 3303
SG
2
19.00 GBP
(app. 22 EUR)
04/07/2026 17:00 BST
(app. 22 EUR)
Auktionshaus Klüttermann GmbH
Lot 11275
Mi
2+2H
ONLINE LIVE
100.00 EUR
03/31/2026 23:59 CEST
Universal Philatelic Auctions
Lot 3294
SG
2
[US1] ...more 1851 3d deep blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. {U} [US1] (Start Price / Minimum Bid) = £88.80) (SG catalogue value = £225)
88.00 GBP
(app. 102 EUR)
04/07/2026 17:00 BST
(app. 102 EUR)
Universal Philatelic Auctions
Lot 3295
SG
2
[US1] ...more 1851 3d deep blue imperf, 4 clear margins, very fine used. {U} [US1] (Start Price / Minimum Bid) = £88.80) (SG catalogue value = £225)
88.00 GBP
(app. 102 EUR)
04/07/2026 17:00 BST
(app. 102 EUR)
Universal Philatelic Auctions
Lot 3301
SG
2
213.00 GBP
(app. 246 EUR)
04/07/2026 17:00 BST
(app. 246 EUR)
Universal Philatelic Auctions
Lot 3302
SG
2
42.00 GBP
(app. 49 EUR)
04/07/2026 17:00 BST
(app. 49 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11676
SC
2b
Scott #2b, ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#2b * Pale Blue, XF, OG, RARE! With Cert.
Scott #2b, Value $3,200
Fixed Price
1500.00 USD
(app. 1299 EUR)
(app. 1299 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11832
SC
2b
Scott #2b, Value $0
Fixed Price
350.00 USD
(app. 303 EUR)
(app. 303 EUR)
Spink London
Lot 4788
SG
2a, 5
6d. ...more Nova Scotia. 1851-60 Issue. 3d. deep blue bisected diagonally and 6d. yellow-green, both tied to small c.1860 piece by barred oval and part d.s.; 6d. lightly touched along one side otherwise fine and scarce. The reverse of the piece with Buhler handstamps and signatures. S.G. 2a, 5, £3,250 (Estimate £200 - £250)
140.00 GBP
(app. 162 EUR)
01/30/2026 08:00 GMT
(app. 162 EUR)
Romano House of Stamps Sales Ltd.
Lot 297
SG
2a, 5
1857 folded letter to Newcastle-on-Tyne, franked with a bisected 1851–57 3d deep blue on bluish paper (SG 2a), used as 1½d, and a 6d yellow-green on bluish paper (SG 5), both imperforate. The stamps are cancelled by a framed oval grid in black. On the front, below the stamps, is a red ‘PKT. LETTER / PAID / LIVERPOOL’ tombstone datestamp dated 14.6.57. Backstamped with Nova Scotia and Newcastle-on-Tyne datestamps.
This franking represents the correct 7½d rate, the standard single-letter charge to the UK. As there was no 1½d adhesive available, the Postmaster General authorised the use of bisected 3d stamps on October 19, 1854. The 3d deep blue bisect is recorded in only three combinations for making up this transatlantic 7½d rate.
A visually appealing and scarce bisect usage, despite the reduced back, and an important addition to any serious collection of Nova Scotia postal history.
The term “House cover†in this context refers to a specific and well-known 1855 Nova Scotia cover sent by the firm Blackwood & House, a Halifax-based mercantile company. These covers were addressed to their partner office in England and are notable because several early bisect usages—especially of the 3d blue bisect + 6d green to pay 7½d—were sent by or to this firm.
So when philatelists say “House coverâ€, they’re referring to:
A genuine, commercial usage of bisected Nova Scotia stamps,
Usually mailed by Blackwood & House,
And often considered part of the earliest known examples of the authorised bisect practice after the 1854 PMG directive.
These covers are among the few documented and accepted uses of the bisect to make up the UK letter rate.
Because they originated from a known sender, they're used as benchmarks for authenticity and proper usage.
There are only a handful known - hence the high auction values and collector interest.
P.A. Expertising Limited
1800.00 USD
(app. 1559 EUR)
04/16/2026 22:00 CEST
(app. 1559 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11712
SC
3
Scott ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 ** SUPERB, NH, RARE QUALITY GEM! VGG. Cert.
Scott #3, Value $7,500
Fixed Price
5500.00 USD
(app. 4764 EUR)
(app. 4764 EUR)
Kelleher Auctions
Lot 2085
SC
3
Scott $3,000.
960.00 USD
(app. 831 EUR)
Sold
(app. 831 EUR)
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
Lot 364
SC
3
SG
2
h.r., ...more Nova Scotia, 1851, 3p Dark Blue (3; SG 2). Original gum, small h.r., large to full margins all around, strong rich color with an intense impression on lightly blued paper, Extremely Fine, a handsome original gum example in superb condition, ex "Alan", with 2014 Greene Foundation certificate, Scott $3,000, SG £1,500, Unitrade C$4,400
700.00 USD
(app. 606 EUR)
Sold
(app. 606 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11828
SC
3
Scott #3, Value $0
Fixed Price
550.00 USD
(app. 476 EUR)
(app. 476 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11833
SC
3
Scott ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 [C] SUPERB example tied to cover, CHOICE!
Scott #3, Value $0
Fixed Price
300.00 USD
(app. 260 EUR)
(app. 260 EUR)
WIP Stamps International
Lot 11834
SC
3
Scott ...more NOVA SCOTIA: Sc.#3 [C] SUPERB example tied to cover, CHOICE!
Scott #3, Value $0
Fixed Price
300.00 USD
(app. 260 EUR)
(app. 260 EUR)
Romano House of Stamps Sales Ltd.
Lot 300
SG
3
from ...more Nova Scotia, 1858, inland cover to Colchester1858 folded letter from Wilmot to New Annan, Colchester County, franked at the 3d inland rate with a fine example of the 1851 3d bright blue on bluish paper, first printing (SG 3), tied by grid cancel. Clear "LONDONDERRY N.S. DE 10 8" circular date stamp alongside
200.00 USD
(app. 173 EUR)
04/16/2026 22:00 CEST
(app. 173 EUR)
Romano House of Stamps Sales Ltd.
Lot 299
SG
3
300.00 USD
(app. 260 EUR)
04/16/2026 22:00 CEST
(app. 260 EUR)
Universal Philatelic Auctions
Lot 3296
SG
3
88.00 GBP
(app. 102 EUR)
04/07/2026 17:00 BST
(app. 102 EUR)
Current Time: Saturday March 28th 2026 - 23:09 MET