Stamps of the highest quality, rare stamps which are seldom offered, collections carefully built over decades, and huge quantities of stamps filling cartons — Sparks Auction #3 offers it all!
As we have previewed in this space for the past month, preparations for our third auction are now complete. We will be mailing printed catalogues this week to our subscribers. The PDF versions of all catalogue sections are presented on the page in the right sidebar; they can be viewed on your computer with Adobe Reader or within your web browser, depending on your configuration. Our image gallery, containing more than 2400 scans, is now also on-line. The auction lots are loaded, along with images, at StampAuctionNetwork.com, and bidders who have registered with us in the past can submit bids there (see our bidding page at right for tips, or if you need instructions on how to register).
In the coming days, we will be using the site to highlight important and interesting items from the sale. As well, we will provide any corrections and clarifications to the catalogue on our Updates page. Please make it a habit to check back here to get the most up-to-date information as the auction approaches.
Perhaps the most frequent question we have been asked recently is to comment on the state of the stamp market since the September economic crisis. First, in times of past economic stresses our hobby has fared well and has attracted new devotees to this pastime. Dozens of auctions have been held and many new record prices have been achieved for items of special quality or rarity. In short we are seeing no dramatic change in the stamp market as a result of turmoil in the stock and credit markets.