Eastern Auctions conducted a great sale that began on Nov. 8 with the 360-lot sale of the Highlands Collection of British North America. This was followed by a two-day, 1,194-lot general sale with material from Canada, British North America and abroad. One of the brightest Canadian lots that fetched an incredible price was a fabulous mint example of Vancouver Island 1865 5c Rose stamp – the finest the auction firm has had the pleasure to offer. This outstanding lot fetched 48,000 CAD (or roughly $35,666).
According to Wellburn, the foremost expert and collector of British Columbia & Vancouver Island, only 30 imperforate sheets of each of the 5c rose and 10c blue were included in the sole shipment of Vancouver Island stamps from De La Rue in London. These were simultaneously issued in the Colony with regular perforated stamps. A very small number of Five cent imperforate mint with original gum exist in sound condition. The auction house described this lot as follows:
“An outstanding mint single displaying the characteristic darker shade associated with this stamp, well clear at left to superb margins, slight bend of no importance, surprisingly possessing the cleanest original gum that we have ever seen. A handsome and peerless example with impeccable provenance; one of the rarest mint stamps of the entire British North America”.
Congratulations to the lucky buyer!
