The Frelinghuysen Family Stamp Collection Goes To Auction

An interesting read on a collection that has just hit the auction market after some generations:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/n...r3HJAPmQ2P3g

Wow, very cool!

Indeed, very cool. The Inverted Jenny from that collection went for a "cool" $718,750!

http://www.examiner.com/stamp-colle...0-at-auction

Some of the provisional issues went for over $500,000 (not including the buyer's premium). The Inverted Jenny was one of the better preserved ones. A magnificent collection.

I wish I could receive an inheritance like this:-)

You know, I understand that errors command a premium because there are far less of them around than the original stamp, but they hold no real value to me personally, other than monetary. I know most collectors may disagree with me on this point, but when I look at them, I just see a postal mistake.

The rest of the collection, however is unbelievable! $2.96 Million dollars in postmasters provisionals!

I wonder how one gets a copy of the auction catalog. That would be one fun read!

Answered my own question. You can order the catalog for $15.00 here:

https://www.siegelauctions.com/dyna...e=30&dummy=1

I would so much prefer a PDF I can read on the iPad instead of a printed book.

I just spent the better part of 2 hours reading through the auction catalogues. Unbelievable collection! Collections like this make me wonder ... if this family can keep great rarities hidden for decades (including previously unknown varieties and multiples), how many other great collections are waiting to be discovered?

Thank you for sharing!

Brian

wt1 Thanks for sharing!

Wow!

Thank you Russ! Reading through it now!

What an incredible collection. It also make me a little sad to know someone passion for so many years is sold off like this. Think of the time and effort that went into this collection. I know one day my collection (which is nothing like this) will be found by someone in my family and they will see $$$$$, not the love and care I put into my collection. I have in my will that the collection I have be kept together and sold for charity.

What kind of arrangements do other collectors here have for their collections?

Since my grandkids have shown no interest, my collection will go to the American Kidney Foundation in my wife's memory.