For Monday, July 31, 2000

DF11

Canada #135 Used Block

The 1917 Anniversary of Confederation Issue is known to collectors of mint stamps as one where, although mint examples are fairly common, a lovely example with mathematical centering is very scarce and commands a huge premium over the typical fine centering or v.g. centering. Less well-known is how scarce are used blocks of this issue when properly used in period. We offer this lovely used block which is dated October 4, 1917. There is trivial separation from the top extending either one or two perf holes toward the center, otherwise this is about as nice a used block of this issue as you will ever find. One collector put together a study of this issue which included die proofs, a full mint sheet etc. but he never found a used block dated in 1917. We went back to the old (and lamented) Canada Specialized catalogue which lists a VFNH mint at $75 and a VF used block at $225. The current Unitrade lists a VFNH at $180. Using the same ratio, the catalogue value for this used block could be as high as $540. In any event, once this is sold, I doubt that I will ever be able to offer another this nice.

DF 11 CDN $295
U.S. $199