Auction #7

The dates of our seventh auction coincide precisely with those of our first auction three years ago. In our 7 auctions we have seen about one new discovery per auction on average. These have often been an unreported example of a modern error or variety, but they include new discoveries such as the imperforate margin plate block of Canada #270, and the 1946 14 cent definitive.

A new variety of any number one of the world is newsworthy. This auction we feature a new discovery on a number one of PEI.

Lot 819 — Prince Edward Island #1 1861 2d deep rose Queen Victoria horizontal imperf pair, unused no gum, accompanied by 2010 Greene certificate stating "Scott #1 variety, unused imperforate pair genuine on thinner paper than usual, but similar in colour to the perforated stamp, shade is slightly deeper than the perforated stamp", very fine. A previously unreported variety as the 1861 printing rather than the 1862 printing of Scott #5. Estimate $1000.

Although our BNA section has fewer lots than usual there are a good percentage of highlights.  Who will decipher the meaning of the cryptic manuscript message — and especially the date of January 1870 — in the interesting Lot 821?

Exceptional quality stamps are not ignored and one of the best in the whole auction is a stamp which is not too scarce in average condition but is a real rarity in the top condition as found in this auction.

Lot 838 — Newfoundland #43 1896 1¢ brown Prince of Wales, fresh, mint with never hinged original gum, extremely fine. Accompanied by 2010 Greene Foundation certificate. A rare stamp in this quality. Unitrade CV$525

The prospect of adding a unique item to a collection or exhibit always gives a special thrill. There are less than a handful of issued stamps which are truly "unique" AND listed by the major catalogues. Each would cost a fortune to acquire. There are more opportunities to acquire a one-of-a-kind item which is unique by virtue of being a one-off error during printing (for example a fold-over which results in a missing colour or missing surcharge). These are often listed in major catalogues and they are usually very expensive. Fortunately for collectors there are opportunities to add legitimate philatelic material which is more affordable while at the same time being unique.

It is reported that Queen Elizabeth personally approves the stamps of Great Britain which bear her portrait, and that the same is true in many of the Commonwealth countries. If one had the good fortune to acquire a sheet of issued stamps signed by Queen Elizabeth, it could possibly be called "unique," but the item would have no philatelic importance in an Exhibit. On the other hand, a proof sheet of the same stamp with the Queen’s initials or signature (indicating her approval of the design) and presumably other ancillary markings would have significant philatelic importance.  It is even possible they might be valued about the same in an auction.

We illustrate three lots with unique items (one estimated at only $50) in our seventh auction.

Lot 1154 — Azores E/P Collection of Archival Proofs, total of 163 stamps (27 items) from the 1920s including imperforates, multiples and perforated blocks. Several have printer’s or Post Office notations and corrections either in selvedge or on the stamps. Some are missing denominations, have printing errors, etc. A wonderful addition to an exhibit. Fine-very fine. Estimate $1500.

Lot 1273 — Israel E/P Original Artwork for 1961 Airmail issue #C24 by Friedl Stern, accepted design is essentially the same, but has Israel on right, framing tree at left and Jerusalem is horizontal. Sold by Argyll Etkin of London for over £290 in 1996. Example of #C24 included for comparison. Estimate $50.

Lot 2022 — Portugal Collection of Archival Proofs, with a total of 120 proofs from the 1920s-1940s on 23 items including imperforate multiples and perforated blocks. Several have printer’s of Post Office notes either in selvedge or on the stamps. Some are missing denominations. All stamps have archival punch holes. A rare offering and a must have for the exhibitor of these issues. Fine-very fine. Estimate $1000.

In Highlight #4 we featured nineteenth century Canadian local stamps — most of them bogus.  In the worldwide sections there are many lots of both local issues and propaganda stamps which come from the era during and after World War II.  Sometimes these two categories overlap as in Lot 1152 from Austria.  Many of these are carefully described, numbered, and valued in the Specialized Michel Catalogues.

Among the propaganda items are Lots 1248, 1249, and 1899.

Lot 1249 —  Michel #28II 1943 British Propaganda forgery, on which the typical Hitler head has been replaced with that of Heinrich Himmler, Type II narrow line variety, mint never hinged, fine-very fine, signed on reverse. Michel €400.

Lot 1899 — World War II Propaganda and Occupation Issues. An interesting selection of 63 stamps including Azad Hind (Free India), apparently complete (21 stamps), both imperf and perforated, French Volunteer Legion of the German Army (9 stamps), German Occupation of Lithuania (12 stamps). All mint, some never hinged and fine-very fine. The key Azad Hind set of 3 imperfs is never hinged but with light gum bends. Estimate $500.

Other issues either offered a local service, made an attempt to do so, or were overprinted for that purpose. Examples are the issues of Fredersdof, Saverne, Gorochow, Labomi, and Zara in Lots 1253-1258.  Larger lots of locals etc. are found in Lots 1869 and 1874.

Lot 1874 — World War II and Post-War Local issues accumulation. An interesting grouping of over 150 stamps issued during or immediately following the German occupation of various territories. Note Memel, Estonia, better Ukraine and Lithuania, Russia, Bohemia & Moravia, Plebiscites, Laibach. Also British Propaganda forgery of 1938 Winter Help issue depicting Himmler (small fault). Several stamps bear expert markings. Inspection may prove rewarding. A lovely accumulation containing a wealth of seldom seen material. Estimate $500.

With over 600 lots described under the heading "Collections, Large Lots, and Remainders" bidders have a very wide choice. There are many lots of intact collections some of which have not been looked at for decades or even as long as a century. There are cartons which include an entire small estate; or the remainders of a large consignment which didn’t fit anywhere else. We often have a scan or multiple scans on our website to illustrate parts of a lot that can not easily be illustrated in the pages of a catalogue. For example, Lot 1880 is a somewhat traditional collection from the Lindhurst consignment and has a total of 20 pages of scans. The Image Gallery can be found by clicking on the link at the right.

To illustrate the diversity we highlight two lots in the first of a group entitled "What appeals to you?"

Lot 1963 — Worldwide: The "I will never get it finished" lot. Imagine a stack of old-time album pages 14-inches (34cm) high. These have been sitting in an estate for about 50 years and came from the U.K. auction house Dowell, Lloyd and Company, from undoubtedly dozens of collections. There are lots of classic issues and some concentration in British Commonwealth. While taking them out of bags and piling them up we didn’t notice anything outstanding but there are many thousands of stamps on what must be at least a thousand album pages. We figured that on average every 10 pages or so could be packaged together and sold retail or on eBay for $25 or more. Based on a projected retail of at least $2,500 this lot has to be right for someone. Also a smaller carton of odds and ends plus supplies. Estimate $500

Lot 2021 — Poland, A large volume full of unlisted labels and unofficial issues 1960s-1980s. Includes solidarity labels, political labels plus many items that could be listed in a specialized Poland catalogue. A great lot for the Polish specialist. Estimate $300