The Allan Steinhart Collection of Prestamp and Stampless Covers, to, from, and through British North America 1685-1865 reaches the auction block. The collection is being sold by Matthew Bennett International, in Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday May 28, 2005, in 1,600 lots. 

Allan Steinhart was perhaps the greatest Canadian postal historian and postal history dealer ever. He sought covers in every nook and cranny and seldom failed to miss the significance of any old letter that passed his purview. He resembled Edward VII in appearance, loved to eat, took the long way on a road trip, always had something new for you to look at, and his knowledge of rates and usages, and who he could offer his new finds to, appeared encyclopedic. He is sorely missed by the international postal history, stamp dealing, and collecting communities.

Harmers SA are offering his personal collection of extraordinary letters and envelopes from the historical period spanning the French and English struggle for supremacy in North America, the Fur Trade, the American War of Independence and Civil War, and the Gold Rush. Among the highlights are the earliest recorded cover from New France, dated 1685, the oldest known cover to New France, circa 1710, a 1759 folded letter from Levis detailing the loss of Quebec to the British, and a 1776 Ship Letter from a British Soldier pursuing retreating American rebel soldiers after their failed attack on Quebec. 

Excerpts of many letters are included in the descriptions, making the catalogue an interesting historical study even to those uninterested in the postal history. Many items are provenanced from past name collections also. Reflecting the times, many pieces are soldier's letters. Unique, scarce, and unusual postal markings and destinations appear throughout Steinhart's award winning collection. One of only three known single franked Penny Black covers to Canada is estimated at 6-8000SF. The only recorded cover to American occupied Montréal, during the Revolutionary war, is expected to fetch 7,500-10,000 SF.

The only recorded example of a Red River postal marking between 1856 and 1870, on a Pembina cover, manuscript dated 1858 in a small circle, is expected to realize 10-15,000 SF. Arctic history buffs will enjoy an 1824 Captain Parry folded letter written aboard H.M.S. Hecla in Davis Strait, and  an 1845 folded letter, penned by Petty Officer Rhodes aboard H.M.S. Terror, 20 days before he disappeared with the Third Franklin Expedition.

Knowing Steinhart's sense of humour he likely enjoyed a cover from Dum Dum, India as much as Colonial Canadian covers to the Ionian Islands or Mauritius. Many covers travelled the world following soldiers, hence his rare missent stampless cover to Hong Kong, which was supposed to have gone to Madras in 1850.

As a collector turned dealer who hates to part with anything but knows the banks and tax authorities would prefer that some business be conducted, I can only marvel at how Allan Steinhart assembled and retained this remarkable holding. 

Live bidding is available from New York and from the London, Ontario Royal Philatelic Society of Canada convention on saleday. There is an 18% buyers premium plus Swiss VAT as applicable.  Viewing is being conducted in Baltimore and Zurich. A 231 page colour illustrated auction catalogue is available.

Newsletter #66
Heads She Wins, Tails She Wins

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