Impressum
Founded in 2007, Sparks Auctions is one of Canada’s leading philatelic auction firms. Our sales include specialized offerings of Canada & British North America, complemented by quality stamps and covers of the British Commonwealth and the world, from single items to intact collections. Our extensive print catalogs, with exacting descriptions accompanied by high-quality images, are distributed to a worldwide collector base.
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Catégories
1764 (March 10), La Rochelle, France, to Montreal, stampless ...mehr
1764 (March 10), La Rochelle, France, to Montreal, stampless folded
letter, addressed to Monsieur de Bellot, likely Antoine-Joseph,
privately carried from La Rochelle, the letter conveying greetings
and continued confidence on behalf of M. and Mme de Ramezay,
detailing the handling of letters of exchange drawn in Québec in
late 1763 and payable at La Rochelle, including two bills
dishonoured for non-payment with formal protests enclosed for
reimbursement, reflecting the close family and financial ties
linking the Bellot and de Ramezay households and illustrating the
liquidation of French colonial commercial obligations in the
immediate aftermath of the fall of New France, remarkably fresh,
and an extremely early incoming letter to Canada, five years after
the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, and only a year after the
Treaty of Paris ceded New France to Great Britain.
1823 (November 13), Cornwall straight-line on stampless ...mehr
1823 (November 13), Cornwall straight-line on stampless folded
letter, struck on reverse as usual, with contents signed by George
Jarvis, rated FREE and addressed to William Hands, the Postmaster
of Sandwich, a much clearer example than usually seen, a choice
example of this difficult strike.
1838 (June 27), Cobourg to New Ground, Guernsey, British ...mehr
1838 (June 27), Cobourg to New Ground, Guernsey, British Channel,
with extensive contents, partially prepaid, with multiple
manuscript rate notations denoting prepayment to the United States,
carriage via New York to the United Kingdom, thence from Weymouth
to Guernsey, with 1sh11d due, postmarked with neatly-struck Cobourg
double split-ring despatch (date in manuscript), Kingston (29 Jun)
and New York (3 Jul) transit markings, reverse with bold framed
LIVERPOOL / SHIP LETTER and London G.P.O. c.d.s. (30 Jul), fresh
and very fine.
1841 (April 7), Montreal to Madeira Island, stampless folded
letter, ...mehr 1841 (April 7), Montreal to Madeira Island, stampless folded letter, rated 1/2 in manuscript, postmarked with crisp Montreal L.C. double-circle despatch strike, endorsed "p. Halifax Steamship to Liverpool", then via forwarding agents Symonds & Son of London, with red London c.d.s. backstamp (3 May), a delightfully fresh letter to this exotic destination, particularly desirable as such forwarded mail often has the forwarder's address crudely crossed-out, fresh and very fine.
1849 (December 27), Toronto to Nevis, West Indies, stampless ...mehr
1849 (December 27), Toronto to Nevis, West Indies, stampless cover,
rated 2/2 and struck with Toronto double split-ring despatch,
reverse with Montreal (31 Dec) and London (22 Jan 1850) transit
backstamps and a clear Nevis double split-ring arrival (28 Feb),
opened on three sides and reverse reinforced with hinges, but a
desirable and rare destination cover, illustrating a criss-cross
transatlantic routing from Upper Canada to the Caribbean.
1852 (March 21), Montreal to Bombay, India, stampless cover to
Henry ...mehr 1852 (March 21), Montreal to Bombay, India, stampless cover to Henry Dyneley, 1st Light Cavalry, Bombay, endorsed "via Bombay & Marseilles", conveyed via Cox & Co in London, rated paid 1/2cy, 1/4cy, then 2/3 stg to India, reverse with framed Bellary transit and Bombay arrival backstamps, some edge staining and creasing as expected for such military correspondence, scarce; Henry Ellenborough Dyneley (1829-1893) was a distinguished officer in the British Indian Army, serving with the Madras Cavalry, who rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General.
1854 (October 25), Lima, Peru, to Montreal, stampless cover ...mehr
1854 (October 25), Lima, Peru, to Montreal, stampless cover to
"Industry Village, District of Montreal", rated 1/3 in manuscript
and handstamped "25", postmarked with blue Lima despatch c.d.s.,
endorsed "via Panama y de los Estados Unidos," carried by Pacific
Steam Navigation Co. steamer to Panama, where struck with framed
blue VAPOR handstamp, thence conveyed onward by U.S. Mail Steamship
Co, struck with two-line STEAM / SHIP handstamp in black, reverse
with Montreal double split-ring transit (28 Nov) and next-day
Berthier en Haut receiver in blue, some edge creasing, but a rare
Pence-era cover.
1857 (December 24), mourning cover from Toronto to Lower
Allithwaite, ...mehr 1857 (December 24), mourning cover from Toronto to Lower Allithwaite, Great Britain, postmarked with clear Toronto / Paid despatch c.d.s., to Westmoreland, "Old England,", endorsed and handstamped "Paid" and struck 6d in red, further struck with two-line "BY CANADIAN / PACKET", and "PKT LETTER / PAID / LIVERPOOL" tombstone (7 Jan), reverse with Kendal (7 Jan) and next-day Newton-in-Cartmel c.d.s. receiver in blue, quite fresh, fine- very fine.
1858 (April 27), Port Sarnia to Hochentrins, Canton ...mehr
1858 (April 27), Port Sarnia to Hochentrins, Canton Graubünden,
Switzerland, stampless cover, rated by manuscript “½ Cy" and 11d
Stg,” struck with italic PAID handstamp, manuscript “franco,” and
oval “PD,” carried via Hamilton in closed mail to Boston and thence
by Cunard steamer Canada to Liverpool (16 May), onward via Calais,
the reverse with transit markings of London, Hamilton, Paris,
Schweiz Bahnpost, and Chur arrival markings, an early and scarce
fully prepaid example of the 11d rate to Switzerland, provenance
notation in pencil "R Lowe / 9-12 78 / lot 529" on reverse, a
lovely showpiece.
1870 (May 17), Montevideo, Uruguay, to Montreal, stampless ...mehr
1870 (May 17), Montevideo, Uruguay, to Montreal, stampless cover,
rated "2" and "1/5" in red, the latter being crossed-out,
postmarked with Montevideo despatch c.d.s., endorsed per "Douro via
Southampton", carried initially via the Pacific Steam Navigaion Co.
thence from South America to Southampton likely by the Royal Mail
Steam Packet Company, returning across the Atlantic to Montreal,
backstamped with c.d.s. receiver (28 Jun), a fresh and attractive
cover, a rare origin for mail to Canada. This cover is addressed to
C.F. (Casimir-Fidèle) Papineau, son of Denis-Benjamin Papineau, and
nephew of the famed Louis-Joseph Papineau. Casimir-Fidèle carried
on various commercial acitivities in Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay.
1871 (January 19), Cardenas, Cuba, to Montreal, stampless ...mehr
1871 (January 19), Cardenas, Cuba, to Montreal, stampless folded
letter, with commercial contents, with oval commercial handstamp of
Rojas & Sauvalle, reverse with oval handstamp of Havana Forwarding
Agents Niese, Fuentes, & Co, neatly-struck "N Y STEAMSHIP / 10"
c.d.s. (28 Jan), reverse with Montreal split-ring receiver (30
Jan), a very fine and scarce example of incoming mail from Cuba.
Rojas & Sauvalle were commission merchants active in Cárdenas
during the 1860s–1870s, operating within one of Cuba’s principal
sugar-export ports, handling consignments, finance, and
correspondence linking Cárdenas with North American and European
markets. Niese, Fuentes & Co. operated a similar enterprise.
1851, 3d orange red Beaver, clear laid lines, ample to large
margins, ...mehr 1851, 3d orange red Beaver, clear laid lines, ample to large margins, neatly-cancelled by black target, bright colour, a most attractive stamp, very fine; with 1984 Greene Foundation certificate.
1851, 6d slate violet Consort, on thin laid paper, four large to
very ...mehr 1851, 6d slate violet Consort, on thin laid paper, four large to very large margins, lightly-struck with neat target cancel, a lovely stamp, very fine.
1851, 6d slate violet Consort, without visible laid lines, used,
with ...mehr 1851, 6d slate violet Consort, without visible laid lines, used, with four large balanced margins, lightly-cancelled with '37' barred numeral, a lovely stamp, uncommonly found with such a cancellation, very fine; with 2025 Greene Foundation certificate.
1851, 6d slate violet Consort, on laid paper, prominent laid ...mehr
1851, 6d slate violet Consort, on laid paper, prominent laid lines,
large margins at left and right, close but clear at top and foot,
fresh colour, attractive and fine-very fine; with 1982 Greene
Foundation certificate.
1857, 6d red purple Consort, trial colour plate proof, on ...mehr
1857, 6d red purple Consort, trial colour plate proof, on India
paper, clear to very large margins, pleasing rich shade, very fine;
with 2014 Greene Foundation certificate.
Chalon, Alfred Edward, autograph letter signed, an undated ...mehr
Chalon, Alfred Edward, autograph letter signed, an undated letter
from Chalon to Alan A. Watts, editor of the "Literary Souvenir",
reading "My Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge your obliging note and
the souvenir. I now only want 1826 and 1829 to complete the set. I
agree with you rejecting the colour of the book and it is already
subdued. With best compliments to Mrs. Watts, I am, dear sir, Very
truly yours, Alfd. Edwd. Chalon, Wednesday, Gr. Maborough St."
Offered with a second unisigned letter written on Chalon's behalf,
thanking the recipient for sending him "two proofs of the first
place", this letter affixed to backing paper, a fine pair of
letters from this famed portraitist. Alfred Edward Chalon
(1780–1860) was a Swiss-born British painter, celebrated as one of
the leading society artists of early Victorian England and a
favourite of Queen Victoria. His 1837–38 portrait of the young
Queen Victoria, known as the “Chalon Head,” became one of the most
influential royal likenesses of the 19th century and served as the
model for numerous classic postage stamps throughout the British
Empire, including Canada's 12d black.
1851, 6d and 12d black Queen Victoria, group of four ...mehr
1851, 6d and 12d black Queen Victoria, group of four fantasy
sketches, in pencil or ink, each on thick paper, three being
variations of the full design, one of the 6d and two of the 12d,
plus one in colour of the 12d without central vignette of the
Queen, all with notations claiming them to be the work of the
original designer, with "Clinton Wright 1851" and variations of
R.W.H.E. or Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson also noted, with
further notations "Purchased from the collection of Mr. Maurice
Burrus, Feb 1959, Shanahan Auctions, Dublin, Ireland" with
purported signatures of the infamous Dr. Paul Singer and renowned
collector Maurice Burrus, each very well-executed, and though
clearly fabrications and of uncertain origin, a most attractive
group and whimsical additions to a specialized collection. Similiar
fantasy sketches are also recorded of the 10d Cartier, including
one prepared in the same style as the 6d offered here, as well as
others in the design of the 1/2d, also without the Queen's
portrait. One such Cartier sketch, offered for sale in 2015, was
accomplanied by correspondence from 1974 between noted stamp dealer
Kasimir Bileski, and the gentleman from whom he apparently
purchased the sketch, a Captain C. W. Hollande of France.
1851, 12d black Victoria plate proof, on India paper, ...mehr
1851, 12d black Victoria plate proof, on India paper, overprinted
SPECIMEN vertically in carmine, four large margins all around, a
lovely example of this ever-popular proof, very fine; with 1980
Greene Foundation certificate.
1851, 12d black Victoria plate proof, on card-mounted India ...mehr
1851, 12d black Victoria plate proof, on card-mounted India paper,
overprinted SPECIMEN vertically in carmine, four large to very
large margins all around, a lovely example of this ever-popular
proof, extremely fine
1878 (circa), 12d Queen Victoria, "Goodall" die proof in ...mehr
1878 (circa), 12d Queen Victoria, "Goodall" die proof in vermilion,
on India paper, 23 x 28mm, originating from the compound die and
showing the characteristic "scar" in "CE" of "PENCE," impressive
bright colour, an exceptional proof with tremendous visual appeal,
extremely fine; ex "Denninger".
1949, 12d black reproduction on Canadian Philatelic Society of
Great ...mehr 1949, 12d black reproduction on Canadian Philatelic Society of Great Britain signed menu, from the reception and dinner of the convention of the Canadian Philatelic Society of Great Britain, held on April 22, 1949, at the North British Station Hotel in Edinburgh, listing both the menu (including "creme Ambassadour", "boiled Tay salmon"), as well as a list of toasts and replies, signed by over forty attendees, a charming memento of the history of organized Canadian philately, this event being only three years after the CPS of GB was re-launched under its current name.
1852, 3d red on medium wove paper, ample to mostly large margins
all ...mehr 1852, 3d red on medium wove paper, ample to mostly large margins all around, close but clear at right, crisp centrally-struck target cancel in blue, vivid colour, fine-very fine.
1852, 3d red Beaver on wove paper, good to large margins, tied ...mehr
1852, 3d red Beaver on wove paper, good to large margins, tied to
1858 mourning cover to Chatham by black grid cancel, Toronto C.W.
(28 Jan) c.d.s. despatch strike at lower left, reverse with crisp
next-day Chatham receiver, fine-very fine and fresh.
1855, 6d slate grey Consort, on wove paper, large margins on ...mehr
1855, 6d slate grey Consort, on wove paper, large margins on three
sides, close but clear at top, lightly cancelled in blue, scarce as
such, a remarkably fresh stamp, fine-very fine; with 1983 Greene
Foundation certificate.
1855, 6d gray violet Consort on thick hard wove paper, ample to
large ...mehr 1855, 6d gray violet Consort on thick hard wove paper, ample to large margins on all sides, an elusive stamp, particularly challenging to acquire in this quality, very fine; ex Dennis Dunn, with 1994 Greene Foundation certificate.
1855, 10d blue Cartier, on thin, crisp paper, margins mostly ample
to ...mehr 1855, 10d blue Cartier, on thin, crisp paper, margins mostly ample to large, close but clear at foot, unobstrusive and largely "face free" cancellation, fine-very fine; with 1980 Greene Foundation certificate.
1855, 10d blue Cartier, on thin, crisp paper, good margins, clear
on ...mehr 1855, 10d blue Cartier, on thin, crisp paper, good margins, clear on all sides, struck with indistinct four-ring numeral cancel, deep shade, fine-very fine.
1857, ½d rose Queen Victoria, on wove paper, four large margins ...mehr
1857, ½d rose Queen Victoria, on wove paper, four large margins all
around, struck with crisp black grid cancel, very fine.
1857, ½d rose Queen Victoria, fair to large margins, tied to ...mehr
1857, ½d rose Queen Victoria, fair to large margins, tied to cover
by black Toronto square grid endorsed "circular" at upper left, to
the Master of Saint John's Lodge of Freemasons in Cayuga, unsealed
as appropriate, a fine example of this difficult rate.
Sparks Auctions
Lot 1
3 images supplémentaires
LIVE!
1500.00 CAD
(app. 946 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 946 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 2
1 images supplémentaires
LIVE!
120.00 CAD
(app. 76 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 76 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 3
3 images supplémentaires
LIVE!
100.00 CAD
(app. 63 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 63 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 4
3 images supplémentaires
letter, ...mehr 1841 (April 7), Montreal to Madeira Island, stampless folded letter, rated 1/2 in manuscript, postmarked with crisp Montreal L.C. double-circle despatch strike, endorsed "p. Halifax Steamship to Liverpool", then via forwarding agents Symonds & Son of London, with red London c.d.s. backstamp (3 May), a delightfully fresh letter to this exotic destination, particularly desirable as such forwarded mail often has the forwarder's address crudely crossed-out, fresh and very fine.
LIVE!
180.00 CAD
(app. 114 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 114 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 5
LIVE!
800.00 CAD
(app. 505 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 505 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 6
Henry ...mehr 1852 (March 21), Montreal to Bombay, India, stampless cover to Henry Dyneley, 1st Light Cavalry, Bombay, endorsed "via Bombay & Marseilles", conveyed via Cox & Co in London, rated paid 1/2cy, 1/4cy, then 2/3 stg to India, reverse with framed Bellary transit and Bombay arrival backstamps, some edge staining and creasing as expected for such military correspondence, scarce; Henry Ellenborough Dyneley (1829-1893) was a distinguished officer in the British Indian Army, serving with the Madras Cavalry, who rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General.
LIVE!
250.00 CAD
(app. 158 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 158 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 7
LIVE!
400.00 CAD
(app. 252 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 252 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 8
Allithwaite, ...mehr 1857 (December 24), mourning cover from Toronto to Lower Allithwaite, Great Britain, postmarked with clear Toronto / Paid despatch c.d.s., to Westmoreland, "Old England,", endorsed and handstamped "Paid" and struck 6d in red, further struck with two-line "BY CANADIAN / PACKET", and "PKT LETTER / PAID / LIVERPOOL" tombstone (7 Jan), reverse with Kendal (7 Jan) and next-day Newton-in-Cartmel c.d.s. receiver in blue, quite fresh, fine- very fine.
LIVE!
80.00 CAD
(app. 50 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 50 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 9
LIVE!
500.00 CAD
(app. 315 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 315 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 10
LIVE!
500.00 CAD
(app. 315 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 315 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 11
1 images supplémentaires
LIVE!
200.00 CAD
(app. 126 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 126 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 12
Unitr ...
1
margins, ...mehr 1851, 3d orange red Beaver, clear laid lines, ample to large margins, neatly-cancelled by black target, bright colour, a most attractive stamp, very fine; with 1984 Greene Foundation certificate.
LIVE!
300.00 CAD
(app. 189 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 189 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 13
Unitr ...
2
very ...mehr 1851, 6d slate violet Consort, on thin laid paper, four large to very large margins, lightly-struck with neat target cancel, a lovely stamp, very fine.
LIVE!
300.00 CAD
(app. 189 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 189 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 14
Unitr ...
2
with ...mehr 1851, 6d slate violet Consort, without visible laid lines, used, with four large balanced margins, lightly-cancelled with '37' barred numeral, a lovely stamp, uncommonly found with such a cancellation, very fine; with 2025 Greene Foundation certificate.
LIVE!
300.00 CAD
(app. 189 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 189 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 15
Unitr ...
2
LIVE!
200.00 CAD
(app. 126 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 126 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 16
Unitr ...
2TCi
LIVE!
100.00 CAD
(app. 63 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 63 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 17
1 images supplémentaires
LIVE!
80.00 CAD
(app. 50 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 50 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 18
2 images supplémentaires
Unitr ...
3var
LIVE!
500.00 CAD
(app. 315 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 315 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 19
Unitr ...
3Pi
LIVE!
800.00 CAD
(app. 505 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 505 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 20
Unitr ...
3Pi
LIVE!
600.00 CAD
(app. 378 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 378 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 21
Unitr ...
3TCDP
LIVE!
4750.00 CAD
(app. 2996 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 2996 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 22
Unitr ...
3var
Great ...mehr 1949, 12d black reproduction on Canadian Philatelic Society of Great Britain signed menu, from the reception and dinner of the convention of the Canadian Philatelic Society of Great Britain, held on April 22, 1949, at the North British Station Hotel in Edinburgh, listing both the menu (including "creme Ambassadour", "boiled Tay salmon"), as well as a list of toasts and replies, signed by over forty attendees, a charming memento of the history of organized Canadian philately, this event being only three years after the CPS of GB was re-launched under its current name.
LIVE!
50.00 CAD
(app. 32 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 32 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 23
Unitr ...
4
all ...mehr 1852, 3d red on medium wove paper, ample to mostly large margins all around, close but clear at right, crisp centrally-struck target cancel in blue, vivid colour, fine-very fine.
LIVE!
80.00 CAD
(app. 50 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 50 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 24
Unitr ...
4
LIVE!
80.00 CAD
(app. 50 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 50 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 25
Unitr ...
5
LIVE!
300.00 CAD
(app. 189 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 189 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 26
Unitr ...
5b
large ...mehr 1855, 6d gray violet Consort on thick hard wove paper, ample to large margins on all sides, an elusive stamp, particularly challenging to acquire in this quality, very fine; ex Dennis Dunn, with 1994 Greene Foundation certificate.
LIVE!
1100.00 CAD
(app. 694 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 694 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 27
Unitr ...
7
to ...mehr 1855, 10d blue Cartier, on thin, crisp paper, margins mostly ample to large, close but clear at foot, unobstrusive and largely "face free" cancellation, fine-very fine; with 1980 Greene Foundation certificate.
LIVE!
200.00 CAD
(app. 126 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 126 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 28
Unitr ...
7
on ...mehr 1855, 10d blue Cartier, on thin, crisp paper, good margins, clear on all sides, struck with indistinct four-ring numeral cancel, deep shade, fine-very fine.
LIVE!
250.00 CAD
(app. 158 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 158 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 29
Unitr ...
8
LIVE!
100.00 CAD
(app. 63 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 63 EUR)
Sparks Auctions
Lot 30
Unitr ...
8
LIVE!
350.00 CAD
(app. 221 EUR)
04.03.2026 08:00 EST
(app. 221 EUR)
Heure actuelle: 07.03.2026 - 17:53 MET