Live Stamp Auction Etiquette

I was going by (what I thought I read on) the World Stamp Show web site. I saw two listings... but didn't read the "and" between the times. Meaning two separate auctions on each of these days. Sorry!

Sunday May 29, 2016
1:00pm and 3:00pm
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries.

Tuesday May 31, 2016
1:00pm and 1:30pm
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Also, Harmer's (HR Harmer) has one during the show as well.)

Rev - you are correct - I forgot about the house having a booth also and was only thing about a viewing room. I'd guess it is viewing at the bboth that then gets moved to the viewing room (which should have more space than a booth)for the one day that comes with renting the auction room space

On a related note, I was a bit disappointed that a large majority of the material being auctioned across the various auction firms is relatively high end stuff that is way out of my league. As a "middle class" collector of U.S. who has participated in a fair number of auctions with these same firms online through SAN to obtain some better material, being able to feasibly participate in more of the live auction activity would have made the overall stamp show experience more interesting for me. I can see why, from a business perspective, the firms would offer a lot of high end and foreign material to appeal to the well-heeled individuals in the expected international audience for this show, and it certainly would be fascinating to sit in the audience watching some of this amazing stuff be auctioned off. However, not being able to experience the excitement of participating in the live auctions with a realistic expectation of winning some material at prices within my budget represented one of the "cons" when weighing the pros and cons of incurring the expenditures of time and currency required to attend the show. Not a decisive one that tipped the balance, but it would have made the decision as to whether to attend a little more interesting if more of the auction material was within my reach.

Oracle I completely agree. I may go but if the any of the auctions had contained WW collections I would have definitely attended.

Been there, done that, and I've found the novelty to fade fast.

The best thing about an auction at an exhibition is that it is the only place you can sit down without being expected to buy something that minute.




The exhibits (which we are actually encouraged to loiter over) and the club meetings & lectures (which we are all invited to attend) strike me as far less likely to disappoint than observer status at a live auction.

Live auctions of things I would never buy (eg high-end fine art) are always more fun than live auctions of things I really wish I could buy.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

I've had the good fortune to attend the once-a-decade shows in London and Tokyo. They were fascinating in their own ways, especially with some of the exhibit items. Truly the rarities of the world.

But as for the "shopping" (dealers and auctions), most of the merchandise was similarly (and justifiably) aimed at the high-end collector. This is understandable, given the costs of assembling this show, with the consequent fees that the dealers are paying. They've got to try to maximize their sales per square foot.

So, for those of you who are going to a show like this for the first time, just be forewarned. You may ultimately find that a good regional show would yield better value in adding to your collection. And please don't judge those shows, nor the regular APS winter and summer shows, by your experiences at New York.

Especially, please don't feel put off, particularly if you experience some "attitude" at this show. It's a different economic model.

They are being charged really high fees to hold an auction there, hence need to sell high end items.

For those of you in the West (or those of you who wannt to visit), there will be 2 large auctions at the APS show in in Portland OR in early August with lots of more affordable lots (both singles and collections).

Bravo for this common sense comment! A huge show as this will be at Javits Center in New York is very expensive for the exhibitors. So we should expect an emphasis on higher end priced items. Otherwise the dealers would not profit from exhibiting with a costly booth.

As a more recent, but very active collector, I plan to enjoy a couple days later in the show.

If I visit any of the multiple auctions it will be to a) research the available material, b) understand the projected auction pricing for some US Classics items similar to my own collection, and c) learn the actual "market prices" that those items sell for.

I must admit that I find the entire discussion regarding "etiquette" at stamp auctions to be quaint at best. My take as a career-long marketing director is that the auction houses play an important role in buying and selling collections. And they need to sell a goodly amount to make the show a success.

But ANY interested attendee should feel comfortable viewing the goods prior to the auctions, or attending the auctions in person. I plan to myself as a means to help me learn what I may expect as I attempt to SELL my own US Classics collection.

I hope some Forum members plan to attend the NYC World Stamp Show. If you will be there, please email me what days if you'd like to connect there.

Cheers,

There are a number of mid-level dealers at the show, so there should be something for all pocketbooks. Most will probably be in the "low rent district" at the back end of the show near the society booths.

revcollector, we going to see you there?

Somebody needs to write a extensive article about STAMP AUCTIONS . It should be broken down to explain the clowns who show up at viewing and at the auction . The games bidders play , even those who win lots and then after the fact want to change the terms and conditions of their purchases . There has been two or three times that I wanted to drag a bidder off the auction floor because of their stupidity.
There are also a lot of games the auction house plays and that needs to be explained on how to avoid them . Experience is the best teacher and belive me I got bite by all the games played and some of them more than once .
Bidding at action is a game and sometimes it burns your ego but I wish someone out there 40 years ago wrote it out for me to read .

Revcollector, sounds like the place to find a "stampcrow"

I will be hanging out there myself.

I wish I could be there but I guess I will have to camp ( Black Lake )in N.Y. and catch some fish instead.