Lot 367 1844 (April 23), Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, pre-Mexican War military letter, folded letter showing a clear blue circular Jefferson Barracks Mo. (23 Apr) datestamp with matching straight-line Paid and manuscript “25” denoting the prepaid rate for a single letter over 400 miles, the contents datelined Jefferson Barracks, Missouri (22 Apr) in a four-page letter from Lt. I. P. Richardson to his father in Vermont reporting imminent movement of his regiment by water to Natchitoches, Louisiana and onward to Fort Jesup near the Texas frontier only months before annexation, expressing regret at leaving friends in Missouri, commenting on the possibility of U.S. troops entering Texas, and reflecting on the uncertainty of military life together with his personal wish eventually to resign and settle on a farm in Michigan, a fine and complete pre-Mexican War military letter from one of the most important western army posts, very fine. Sold for C$700.00 plus 18% buyer’s premium.
Thank you to all bidders and buyers who participated in Sparks Auctions’ Autumn Postal History of the World sale, held December 16, 2025. The sale saw strong competition, as we welcomed many new bidders to the auction.
Invoices have been sent to all successful bidders via email. If you believe you were successful in the sale and you have not received an invoice, please contact us—be sure to check your spam folder as well.
Shipping will be handled according to the methods outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Sale. Prices Realized are available on Stamp Auction Network or can be downloaded from our website.
For local buyers: please note that pickup at our office is by appointment only. If you prefer to have your lots shipped, kindly contact us to make arrangements. While visiting, we invite you to stop by our retail store where David Giles will assist you with additional stamp and collecting supply needs.
Stay up to date on our upcoming sales and events by visiting our website. We are always accepting consignments—reach out today to discuss the inclusion of your material in a future auction, or for our offer to purchase.
Our sale and show schedule includes details of our forthcoming Winter Stamps and Postal History of the World auction in March. Chris Green will be in the United Kingdom in mid-January and would welcome the opportunity to meet clients in York or London.
We are pleased to present our latest sale of Postal History of the World, offering over 500 lots spanning the sixteenth through twentieth centuries and representing an impressive breadth of global material. Collectors will find appealing offerings from a wide range of countries and fields, including Canada, China, India, the Ionian Islands, Russia, South West Africa, a range of European countries and their Post Offices Abroad, and a number of desirable collection lots such as strong holdings of the German States, interesting Great Britain, and desirable topical material.
Lot 393 1940 (November 16), registered cover from Boston to Hungary with “P.C. 116 DETAIN” label, franked 25c in mixed commemoratives, all tied by Boston duplex datestamps, the reverse showing Boston Registered and New York (Foreign Mail) transit backstamps (17 Nov), the front affixed with a printed white “P.C. 116 DETAIN” label at left with manuscript reference “S.M. 119/E 28.11.40 – 13828”, this label applied under early U.S. postal censorship procedures to mail destined for Axis or Axis-controlled territories during the American neutrality period, when selected overseas correspondence was intercepted and withheld at New York under Treasury Department authority, a scarce and striking cover, very fine.
In addition to this broad worldwide range, the sale features four particularly notable special sections, each representing a distinct area of historical and philatelic interest – Mail of the Holy Roman Empire, United States Air Races & Early Aviation, World War I Airship Postal History, and 1970 FIFA World Cup signed cards:
Mail of the Holy Roman Empire
This selection includes a fascinating group of manuscript letters and official documents from the late sixteenth to early eighteenth centuries, representing the administrative, ecclesiastical, and noble correspondence of the Holy Roman Empire. Spanning Silesian municipal governance, princely bishoprics, noble houses, and the imperial chancery under Leopold I, these items preserve heraldic seals, chancery scripts, and the layered structure of early Central European authority and communication. These lots may be found both under Austria and Germany, as appropriate.
World War I Airship Postal History
A notable holding comprising a wide range of Zeppelin-related postal history lots documenting the operational world of German and Austro-Hungarian airships during the First World War. Feldpost items tied to specific Zeppelins and airship commands, scarce unit cachets, officer-signed correspondence, and striking home-front relics, including anti-Zeppelin propaganda and wire fragments from the downed Cuffley airship, highlight the diversity of this collecting field.
United States Air Races & Early Aviation
The catalogue also features a remarkable selection from the Golden Age of Air Racing, when the late 1920s and early 1930s saw aviation transformed into an international spectacle. Individually offered signed covers provide a direct link to the celebrated pilots of the period—Doolittle, Holman, Barnes, Omlie, Udet, Doret, and others—each a compelling artifact from aviation’s most dynamic years
1970 FIFA World Cup Signed Cards
Rounding out the special offerings is a vibrant cultural highlight: eleven signed “Sportimex” souvenir cards issued during the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Widely regarded as the greatest tournament ever played, and the first to be broadcast in colour, Mexico 1970 brought together Europe’s strongest sides and South America’s greatest stars, culminating in Brazil’s legendary triumph under Pelé and Jairzinho. These June-1970-cancelled cards provide an evocative and authentic link to football’s first truly global spectacle.
High-quality online images, along with videos of collection lots, may be found on Philasearch and Stamp Auction Network. Live bidding will take place at our offices in Ottawa, Canada, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, with participation welcome in person, by telephone, or online. All transactions are conducted in Canadian dollars, typically providing a favourable exchange rate for many of our international clients.
Our Winter 2026 sale preparation is well underway, and we continue to welcome consignments for our Spring 2026 sale. We invite enquiries regarding both consignment and the outright purchase of collections.
Lot 104 Canada #167Pvar 1931, 3c deep red King George V, stamp-sized die essay, on glazed paper, affixed to card, as are all known examples, the design with “POSTES / POST” on either side of the arch in contrast with the issued design of “POSTES / POSTAGE”, initialled “PJV” (Peter J. Veniot, Postmaster General) above manuscript “15 June 29”, a rare die essay, with only a few examples believed to exist, an exceptional showpiece. Estimate C$1,500, sold for C$2,000 plus 18% buyer’s premium.
Our Autumn 2025 General Sale 54 has finished. Prices Realized can be checked on our Stamp Auction Network listing or downloaded from this link. A number of unsold items are still available for purchase at the reserve price plus buyer’s premium, taxes and shipping; you can see the list here.
Invoices were sent out on November 4th by e-mail, please contact us if you were expecting an invoice and did not receive one. Local customers please note that we will be coordinating appointments for those who wish to pick up their lots. If you would rather have your lots shipped to you, e-mail or call us to make arrangements.
Our Mailing List is always the best way to find out the schedule of future auctions, updates, and other information about Sparks Auctions.
Our Fall 2025 Sale is in progress today. Worldwide stamps and postal history are currently on offer.
Lot 804 Tanganyika #10-28 1922-1925, 5c to £1 Giraffe issue, the complete set of 19, hinged, well-centred and with overall good colour, an iconic set of British Africa, fine-very fine. Scott CV U$820
Today in our Fall 2025 General Sale, we offer Worldwide Stamps & Postal History.
Lot 585 Falkland Islands #65-76 1933 Centenary ½d to £1, set of twelve, hinged, the lower values with hinge remnants, the key 5sh through £1 King George V extremely lightly hinged, bright and fresh colours throughout, well-centered, very fine and choice, one of the iconic sets of the British Empire. (S.G. 127/138, £4,250) Scott CV U$4,800
