Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
08:53:52am
https://deveneystamps.com/products/canad ...
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I suspect that being a machine cancel means it went through the mail and nothing more. Likely they could have used a penny stamp to the same effect. They rightly indicate it's not official and has, in my mind, the same standing as machine cancel on an envelope franked with a Christmas seal or nothing at all.
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I must admit that it is an intriguing issue showing local ingenuity and apparent local postal acceptance! Very cool item.
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12:13:37pm
I know the value is negligible but I picked it up anyway! It'll make an interesting addition to my Canada collection. I only have one legit bisect and this is probably the only way I can afford another!!
Note: The one above is one that seems to be tied to the piece but, of course, that can be faked. If I remember right I paid about $200 to a seller I trusted. The price made me a bit leery, quite low considering the value of the non-bisected stamp. I mainly picked it up because of the Liverpool Nova Scotia postmark. If I lived close to an appraiser I would have it checked out but I like the item very much anyway. When my collection is disposed of the person who ends up with the item will probably have it checked out! For now I'll just enjoy it!
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As far as I am aware all bisects are "unofficial" usages. Probably dependent on the office where they were posted to handle them as paid in full or to mark them as postage due.
I have only one that I consider a genuine non philatelic usage:
Including the letter in the cover:
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02:05:29pm
I assume the ones that are more "common" are the ones priced in the catalogues. The one I have above, the NS #2 or #3, is mentioned on my Unitrade, as are a few others. Without checking I don't know if any of the older US stamps exist in my Scott's US Specialized as bisects. All I know is that I have none and I don't remember seeing any!
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Jack,
Great cover. That screams authenticity. Does it square up with the rate at the time?
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I do think the amount (1.5 cents) matches the rate: I had found when I looked that at that time (1925) the third-class (advertising) rates was 1.5 cents for each 2 ounces. As the letter looks preprinted and clearly it is advertising I have assumed it was correct. I further assumed that whoever was making this mailing had strips of stamps and a paper cutter to neatly bisect the stamp but that is pure speculation.
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Here is another one:
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04:42:12pm
That's a fantastic cover!!! According to Unitrade the large Queen was only done diagonally but the small Queen exists both diagonally or vertically. Both list at $2750 CD, examples postmarked Halifax are considered to be "a private speculation". It's a darn nice cover though!!!
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I found another very similar Canadian cover to the previous one I posted. I guess I am surprised to see two such items:
Lot 99 Canada #36c 1885 2c Small Queen Bisect on Cover, mailed from Halifax (duplex dated NOV.30.1885) and addressed locally, franked with a 2c stamp bisected in half vertically (and properly tied) to pay the 1c drop letter rate, contrary to regulations. Tiny opening tears at top and partially slit open at sides, still a very fine example of this scarce usage. From the John Hillson Collections, illustrated on page 55 of The Small Queens of Canada (Revised Second Edition) by John Hillson as well as in H&N, page 57. Very similar to another cover mailed two days earlier in Halifax illustrated in Canada’s Small Queen Era 1870-1897 by George B. Arfken. Unitrade CV$3,000.
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05:35:41pm
The 2015 Canada Unitrade says "Copies postmarked Halifax are a private speculation". I'm not sure exactly what this means but I assume it means they were constructed and not postally used.
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Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
28 Jan 2026
08:53:52am
Most of us are familiar with bisects. For example if 3 cent postage is needed a 6 cent stamp cut in half is used. I see this done with older material and assume it is done be the postmaster at a certain station - hence "official". I saw this item on e-bay and since it is postmarked it seems official. Of course it might have been faked! Has anyone else run into material like this? I'm especially interested in Canada since I'm not sure what other countries do.
https://deveneystamps.com/products/canad ...
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re: Unofficial bisects????
I suspect that being a machine cancel means it went through the mail and nothing more. Likely they could have used a penny stamp to the same effect. They rightly indicate it's not official and has, in my mind, the same standing as machine cancel on an envelope franked with a Christmas seal or nothing at all.
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re: Unofficial bisects????
I must admit that it is an intriguing issue showing local ingenuity and apparent local postal acceptance! Very cool item.
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
28 Jan 2026
12:13:37pm
re: Unofficial bisects????
I know the value is negligible but I picked it up anyway! It'll make an interesting addition to my Canada collection. I only have one legit bisect and this is probably the only way I can afford another!!
Note: The one above is one that seems to be tied to the piece but, of course, that can be faked. If I remember right I paid about $200 to a seller I trusted. The price made me a bit leery, quite low considering the value of the non-bisected stamp. I mainly picked it up because of the Liverpool Nova Scotia postmark. If I lived close to an appraiser I would have it checked out but I like the item very much anyway. When my collection is disposed of the person who ends up with the item will probably have it checked out! For now I'll just enjoy it!
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this post
re: Unofficial bisects????
As far as I am aware all bisects are "unofficial" usages. Probably dependent on the office where they were posted to handle them as paid in full or to mark them as postage due.
I have only one that I consider a genuine non philatelic usage:
Including the letter in the cover:
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Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
28 Jan 2026
02:05:29pm
re: Unofficial bisects????
I assume the ones that are more "common" are the ones priced in the catalogues. The one I have above, the NS #2 or #3, is mentioned on my Unitrade, as are a few others. Without checking I don't know if any of the older US stamps exist in my Scott's US Specialized as bisects. All I know is that I have none and I don't remember seeing any!
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re: Unofficial bisects????
Jack,
Great cover. That screams authenticity. Does it square up with the rate at the time?
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this post
re: Unofficial bisects????
I do think the amount (1.5 cents) matches the rate: I had found when I looked that at that time (1925) the third-class (advertising) rates was 1.5 cents for each 2 ounces. As the letter looks preprinted and clearly it is advertising I have assumed it was correct. I further assumed that whoever was making this mailing had strips of stamps and a paper cutter to neatly bisect the stamp but that is pure speculation.
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re: Unofficial bisects????
Here is another one:
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Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
28 Jan 2026
04:42:12pm
re: Unofficial bisects????
That's a fantastic cover!!! According to Unitrade the large Queen was only done diagonally but the small Queen exists both diagonally or vertically. Both list at $2750 CD, examples postmarked Halifax are considered to be "a private speculation". It's a darn nice cover though!!!
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re: Unofficial bisects????
I found another very similar Canadian cover to the previous one I posted. I guess I am surprised to see two such items:
Lot 99 Canada #36c 1885 2c Small Queen Bisect on Cover, mailed from Halifax (duplex dated NOV.30.1885) and addressed locally, franked with a 2c stamp bisected in half vertically (and properly tied) to pay the 1c drop letter rate, contrary to regulations. Tiny opening tears at top and partially slit open at sides, still a very fine example of this scarce usage. From the John Hillson Collections, illustrated on page 55 of The Small Queens of Canada (Revised Second Edition) by John Hillson as well as in H&N, page 57. Very similar to another cover mailed two days earlier in Halifax illustrated in Canada’s Small Queen Era 1870-1897 by George B. Arfken. Unitrade CV$3,000.
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Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
29 Jan 2026
05:35:41pm
re: Unofficial bisects????
The 2015 Canada Unitrade says "Copies postmarked Halifax are a private speculation". I'm not sure exactly what this means but I assume it means they were constructed and not postally used.
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