During CAPEX  `96, the 1996 World International Philatelic Exhibition held in Toronto, a lady approached Charles and told him that she had been directed to his trade stand by several people that had been standing by the entrance to the hall.

She slowly removed the Sandford Fleming essay from her purse while inquiring as to whether it had any value. Charles had known of this items existence for years but had never before seen it. It had until this point never been offered publicly,  in spite of the fact that it had been created in 1851.

Charles, quite excited at this point, thought long and hard and proclaimed that he believed it was capable of realizing as much as US $50,000.00. The lady, whose family had acquired the item from the Fleming family during 1934, was taken aback and after a bit of discussion agreed to consign it to Charles for public auction. The rest is history.

A 24 page auction catalogue, which contained much new research, provided irrefutable proof that the specimen was actually from a sheet of stamps and was, therefore, not a die proof (as the historical belief had been until this time).  This is an important aspect of Canadian philately:  This stamp has now become Canada's true Number 1 although the cataloguers have not yet accepted this opinion.

The Essay did, in fact, realize US $50,000.00 + 10% buyers premium  ($55,000.00)  in October, 1996.

It was, once again, resold by our firm at our January, 2004 public auction for US $110,000.00  + 15%  ($126,500.00).

This lofty price catapults this special item into the rarified range of being one of  the top ten most  valuable items of Canadian philately. It is, in fact,  the world's most valuable proof  or essay.

                                                                                         CLICK  HERE  TO VIEW THE ARTICLE.

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A FORM FOR USE BY A COLLECTOR WHICH PROVIDES  INFORMATION REGARDING DISPOSITION

Of course printing a copy of this valuable form is only the beginning. It will also be necessary to think about the intent as well as to decide what you would like done after you leave us. Remember, to have any benefit it must be completed in it's entirety.  Also, keep this important document with the most valuable portion your collection.

THIS IS IMPORTANT :  I cannot begin to tell you the anguish that many spouses go through during the process of disposing of  the collection of a loved one, after the collector  passes on.   

           PRINTING THE FORM SHOWN BELOW WILL DO YOUR FAMILY A GREAT FAVOR!

YOU CAN CUT OUR NAME OFF OF THE FORM IF YOU WISH AND OF COURSE YOU CAN ENTER THE  NAME OF ANYONE THAT YOU TRUST TO DO A GOOD JOB FOR YOUR FAMILY. 

                         AS NIKE SAYS   " JUST DO IT " - FOR YOUR  LOVED ONES SAKE.

                                         CLICK  HERE TO PRINT A SIMILAR FORM