1851 Canada 12d Victoria Laid Paper

The 1851 Canada 12 Pence Black, known among collectors as the "Black Empress of Canada," is one of the most celebrated and valuable stamps in the world. Featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria printed in deep black on hand-made laid paper, this imperforate stamp was the highest denomination in the Province of Canada's first postal issue. With fewer than 100 examples known to exist and prices that regularly exceed $100,000, the 12 Pence Black occupies a place among philately's greatest rarities.

The Birth of Canadian Postage

On April 23, 1851, the Province of Canada assumed control of its postal system from the British Imperial Post Office. To mark this transition, three stamps were issued: a 3-pence beaver, a 6-pence Prince Albert, and the 12-pence Queen Victoria. The designs were forward-thinking. The 3-pence beaver was the first stamp in the world to feature an animal rather than a head of state, a bold choice that reflected Canadian national identity.

The 12-pence denomination was intended primarily for letters sent to Great Britain via the Cunard packet steamship service. At 12 pence (equivalent to one shilling), it covered the cost of transatlantic postage. The portrait of Queen Victoria used for the design was based on Alfred Edward Chalon's celebrated 1837 painting of the young queen in her coronation robes, the same image that had been used on the 1847-1854 issues of New Zealand.

The stamps were printed by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson in New York (later part of the American Bank Note Company), using the same fine line-engraving techniques employed for security printing on banknotes. The printing was executed on hand-made laid paper, which shows distinctive parallel lines when held up to light.

Why So Rare?

The 12 Pence Black was a commercial failure. Its face value was extremely high for the era, equivalent to a full day's wages for many workers. Very few letters required this amount of postage, and the public found it far cheaper to use combinations of the 3-pence and 6-pence stamps when higher values were needed.

As a result, sales were minimal. The precise print run is not definitively known, but it is believed that only about 51,000 stamps were printed. Of those, the vast majority were never sold and were eventually destroyed. Today, approximately 75 to 100 examples are believed to survive, split roughly evenly between mint and used copies.

The Stamp's Physical Characteristics

• Country: Province of Canada

• Catalog Numbers: Scott #3, SG #5, Unitrade #3

• Denomination: 12 pence (one shilling)

• Color: Black

• Paper: Hand-made laid paper (showing horizontal laid lines)

• Perforation: Imperforate

• Printing Method: Line engraving (recess/intaglio)

• Printer: Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, New York

• Issue Date: April 23, 1851

Authentication

Given the stamp's extraordinary value, rigorous authentication is essential. Here are the key factors experts examine:

Paper

The laid paper is the first thing to check. Genuine copies show clear horizontal laid lines when viewed against light. The paper has a slightly rough texture and a warm, off-white color that has aged naturally over 170+ years. The paper is relatively thick compared to later issues.

Impression Quality

The line engraving should be deeply impressed into the paper, with fine details of Victoria's portrait clearly visible. Under magnification, you can see individual engraved lines in the hair, crown, and dress details. The impression was produced under heavy pressure, and on some copies you can feel the raised lines on the back of the stamp.

Color

The color should be a deep, intense black. Some copies show slight variations (grayish black, intense black) depending on the ink batch and impression. Faded copies may have been exposed to light or chemicals and should be examined with particular care.

Margins

Because the stamps were imperforate, they were cut apart by hand, usually with scissors. Margin size varies considerably and significantly affects value. Four large, even margins are the ideal. Copies where the design is cut into on one or more sides are worth substantially less.

Cancellations (Used Copies)

The most common cancellation is the seven-ring target postmark in black. Manuscript cancellations also exist. The cancel should appear consistent with the period and should not show signs of being added later.

Known Forgeries

Several forgeries of the 12 Pence Black have been identified over the years. The most dangerous are contemporary-era reprints on similar paper. Key differences include:

• Slightly different paper quality or laid line spacing

• Minor design variations in the engraving

• Incorrect color tone

• Wrong paper thickness

Professional certification from the Vincent Graves Greene Philatelic Research Foundation (the leading authority on Canadian stamps) or another recognized expertization body is absolutely essential for any purchase.

Condition Grades and Values

Values for the 12 Pence Black depend heavily on condition, margins, and (for used copies) the quality of the cancellation.

Condition	Mint (unused)	Used
Superb (four large, even margins, fresh color)	$250,000 - $400,000+	$150,000 - $300,000
Extremely Fine (four clear margins, good color)	$150,000 - $250,000	$80,000 - $150,000
Very Fine (four margins, design well clear)	$80,000 - $150,000	$40,000 - $80,000
Fine (four margins, one or two may be tight)	$40,000 - $80,000	$20,000 - $40,000
Good (design cut into on one side)	$15,000 - $35,000	$10,000 - $20,000
Defective (major faults, repairs, or heavy damage)	$5,000 - $15,000	$3,000 - $10,000

At a 2017 Sparks Auctions sale in Ottawa, a mint example realized close to $300,000 CAD. The stamp described by Spink as "the finest known used example" has been valued at considerably more. In 2011, another example sold for US $425,000 through Spink Shreve Galleries.

Famous Examples

Several individual copies of the 12 Pence Black have their own histories and reputations within the philatelic community:

• The Dale-Lichtenstein copy: One of the finest known mint examples, this stamp passed through two of the most important Canadian stamp collections of the 20th century.

• The Weill Brothers copy: Another exceptional mint example that was part of the famous Weill Brothers' stock in New Orleans.

• The Spink "finest known used": Described as having an intense deep color, full large margins, and a single clear strike of the seven-ring target cancel.

Each of these stamps has been illustrated in major philatelic references and carries provenance that adds to its value and historical interest.

The Pence Issue Series

The 12 Pence Black is best understood as part of the complete 1851 Pence Issue, which also includes:

• 3 Pence Beaver (Scott #1): The most common value, still scarce and valuable in fine condition. Mint copies start around $5,000.

• 6 Pence Prince Albert (Scott #2): Scarcer than the 3 pence, with mint copies starting around $15,000.

• 12 Pence Victoria (Scott #3): The great rarity of the set.

All three stamps share the same laid paper, imperforate format, and line-engraved production. A complete set of the Pence Issue in fine condition is a trophy achievement in Canadian philately.

What to Look for When Buying

1. Expert certification is non-negotiable. A certificate from the Vincent Graves Greene Philatelic Research Foundation (VGGPRF) is the gold standard for Canadian stamps. Do not purchase without one.

2. Examine the margins carefully. Margins account for a large portion of the stamp's value. Four margins with the design well clear of the edges on all sides is the minimum for "Fine" grade.

3. Assess the paper. Hold the stamp to light and verify the laid lines. The paper should feel old and consistent with genuine examples.

4. Check for repairs. At these values, stamps are sometimes expertly repaired. Thin spots, added margins, and filled thins can be nearly invisible to the naked eye. UV light and watermark fluid can reveal some repairs.

5. Consider provenance. Stamps with documented ownership histories through major collections carry a premium but also provide assurance of authenticity.

6. Budget appropriately. Even defective copies start at several thousand dollars. Be prepared to spend significant money, and factor in the cost of insurance, proper storage, and expert consultation.

7. Be patient. Examples come to market infrequently. Major auction houses (Sparks, Siegel, Spink) are the most reliable sources. Attending their sales or bidding online gives you access to stamps with proper descriptions and condition reports.

The 1851 Canada 12 Pence Black is not just a stamp. It is a piece of Canadian postal history, a work of 19th-century engraving art, and one of the enduring trophies of worldwide philately. Owning one places you in a very exclusive group of collectors.

Browse all Stamps →

Related Items