25
April, 2009 - Charles G. Firby Auctions
The Herbert Louis McNaught Collection of
One Half-Cent Small Queens
(Scott 34)
Mr. Firby recently offered a specialized collection of the ½¢
Small Queen at auction. This was one of those special offerings that
so delight collectors. It allows us to enjoy viewing the results of
years of a collector’s effort and expertise. Mr. McNaught, whose
collection was offered, worked closely with Mr. Firby and the two
obviously enjoyed a good relationship. There must have been a lot
of respect on both sides.
Mr. Firby’s
introduction set the tone:
“We
are pleased to have been selected to present Herb’s exceptional,
and undoubtedly, best of kind collections in existence today. Herb
was a dear friend whom I had the pleasure of speaking to nearly every
week for many years, in spite of the fact that we lived in different
countries. I will really miss him and know that this feeling will
continue. He was without doubt one of the kindest people I ever had
the privilege of knowing.”
We show below a
selection of some of the stamps in the sale. There were many other stamps
we have not included, mainly because of their bulk. There were a fair
number of plate blocks both perforate and imperforate, two complete
sheets of the Small Queen Panes 1 & 2, and a great number of covers.
(The prices below
have all been converted at the rate of $1US =$1.21 Cdn.)
"Die
Proof" |
"Plate
Proof" |
Lot 2103
37Dp
Estimate $1,500
Realized $8,470
|
Lot 2104
34
Estimate $1,200
Realized $2,300
|
"Specimen" |
"Stitch
Watermark " |
Lot 2106
34 var
Estimate $200
Realized $230
|
Lot 2143
34iii var
Estimate $750
Realized $3,025
|
Lot 2143 is considered
to be the unique example of this rare stitch watermark variety.
"Pre-printing
Paper Crease" |
Lot
2146
34
Estimate $100
Realized $194
|
"Imperforate
Pair"
Mint NH |
"Imperforate
Pair"
Used |
Lot 2132
34a
Scott $600
Realized $968
|
Lot 2135
34a
Estimate $1,000
Realized $847
|
"Imprint
Imperforate Block of 4" |
Lot
2136
34a LH
Estimate $1,600
Realized $2,722
|
"Strip
of 4, Imperf. Between" |
Lot
2137
34b
Estimate $2,000
Realized $2,722
|
"Gutter
Block "
On thick white paper |
Lot
2139
34ii,iii NH
Estimate $2,000
Realized $847
|
"Misperfs." |
Ex
Lot 2147
34 var (7 pieces)
Estimate $100
Realized $302
|
"Double
Perfs." |
Ex
Lot 2149
34 var (2 Pieces)
Estimate $200
Realized $514
|
Unique
Partially Imperforate Cover
Dated August 24, 1897
Imperforate
Cover |
Lot
2309
34b
Estimate $1,000
Realized $1,815
|
Mr. Firby called
this cover probably a unique usage, the only example he has ever seen.
That made it a choice item for the bidders and they responded accordingly.
According to our
records, this cover previously sold at a Maresch sale on May 23, 1985.
At the time, it realized $400. Mr. Maresch also commented that it was
the only one he had seen.
We would like to
express our appreciation to the late Herbert McNaught for his wonderful
accomplishment in putting together this very special collection. We
are all the beneficiaries of his efforts. We are sure it must have given
him great pleasure, and it has done the same for us.
If you would like
to see our commentaries on other outstanding Canadian collections, please
click here.
|
