Tantalizing Quality

Our first updates have focused on the enormous quantity of stamps and collections we have received for our next auction.

It’s time to tantalize with quality.

We have many, many lovely stamps coming up for sale.

One long-term customer — a real gentleman in all respects — has had to pass on his albums because of ill-health.

When we first discussed this with him he expressed the concern that it was most important that his stamps go to collectors who would appreciate them as he has.  This was mentioned as more important than mere money.  This concern of his evokes a word more often heard in museum circles; this collector has decided to “de-acquisition” his lifetime hobby.

I could tantalize you with dozens of extremely fine single lots but will use this one which is likely not  the most valuable stamp from his collection that we will be auctioning.

6d Albert
Six pence on laid paper with orange-red postmark

We will offer a fresh, extremely fine six penny on laid paper which is immaculate in all respects and is graced by a lovely orange-red postmark.  This colour is distinct from the usual shade of red postmark which is itself quite scarce.  Different collectors have different criteria (some want Jumbo margins, for example) but in my opinion this is likely the most visually appealing used Canada number two in existence.

Stay tuned.

Sorting Cartons & Stockbooks

One of our earliest consignments came into Sparks Auctions right after our last sale. It was a lifetime accumulation in fifty-nine cartons. Some of the cartons were as small as an “archive” or “banker’s” box, but others were at least twice that size. There was a lovely Commonwealth Collection and an extensive collection of U.S. precancels. Unfortunately for our describers, many of the stockbooks were arranged somewhat haphazardly. We would find several pages of Channel Islands, followed by Falkland Islands, then used Canada blocks, and so on. Some of these were lotted as we received them; others we carefully re-arranged or took out single lots.

BCOF

As you can see, there were many interesting items in the stockbooks.

We spent time debating how to lot the U.S. precancels. I won’t spoil anyone’s anticipation but the lots deserve interest and inspection. Since then we have received several more lots from another consignor with tens of thousands more U.S. precancels.

Ian with boxes
Ian Choosing From Among 454 cartons

And as you can also see, we continue working on the 454 carton consignment!

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