Lot 308 (C) New Brunswick #1, 2d 3d, 6d Red & Mustard Yellow Crown & Heraldic Flowers, Pence Issue, A Fine Cover Franked With Singles Paying 9d Triple Letter Rate, One Of Only 4 Known, Multiple Backstamps, Sent From Chatham To Yarmouth, NS, 1971 RPS Cert.

A fine cover of the 3d, 6d red & mustard yellow Crown & Heraldic Flowers from the 1851-1860 Pence Issue franked with singles paying 9d triple letter rate, one of only 4 known, multiple backstamps, sent from Chatham to Yarmouth, NS, 1971 RPS certificate. The certificate identifies the 6d as olive yellow, but this is because there was likely no listing for the mustard shade at that time. This definitely is the mustard yellow, as it lacks the greenish undertone that the olive yellow has. Both stamps are tied by clear strikes of the #8 Chatham cancel, which lists for a $60 premium in Scott on just a loose 3d single. There are multiple backstamps, including Bend Of Penticodiac (Moncton), Sackville and a partial destination red Yarmouth cancel. The 6d stamp has full margins on 3 sides and is clear at upper left to just touching at upper right. The 3d stamp has clear margins to oversize margins on 3 sides, but is heavily cut into at the bottom margin. A portion of the backflap is missing, but the cover otherwise would be VF. So, to be conservative, I would grade the cover as fine.

Unitrade does not list a combination cover like this, but it is very likely to be scarcer than the UK cover, in lot 352, as there are only 4 known according to the consignor. So, our estimate of the value for this cover is $9500.

The pence issues are notorious for condition problems. First of all the paper used was very soft and fragile: it tears very easily, creases easily and thins very, very easily. As a result, very few stamps have survived without at least one of these three faults. Many have been repaired or rebacked to conceal these faults. The genuine paper should have a somewhat rough surface under magnification, and will often show very fine mesh. If it is smooth, lacks any bluish undertone and shows no mesh at all, even when held to backlight, it very likely has been rebacked. The second major condition issue with these is small to no margins. This is because the printing plates for these were laid down by hand, by just 2 or three individuals. Spacing between the impressions was often no more than 1 mm, to even less, and occasionally slightly more, so that margins are rarely more than 1/2 mm wide. So, quite often a stamp will appear to have fewer than 4 margins, even when it does. Full margins on all sides is XF to superb. VF stamps will have 4 margins of 1/2 mm width.

This is a consignment lot. Accordingly, a 15% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price.