Do Worldwide Collections Sell ?

Here is a classic worldwide collection that sold yesterday....notice the estimate value by the auction firm and the price it got ...yesterday 11-15-2012 ..

There was no shortage of images of the auction. I don't know how many bidders there were but there wasn't a shortage there either.

If you have superb material for a country.

And you have country after country.

You have a superb WW classical collection, and yes, it will sell for a superb price.

Definitely out of my league though.

Yup, that one would not end up in a boxlot carton..like the ones with the 5 and 10 dollar stamps and sets !!

Classic era material will always sell.

I don't think I have that in my back pocket either. Out of my league as well.

Great collection of early France and those Swiss "Cantonal" issues are really something else too.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Down at the low end, I have had a world collection on CraigsList for months, a flat 3 cents per stamp, in six big Minkus albums - no takers, only one inquiry. Still, local face-to-face sales are my only option (1) due to enormous postage, (2) opportunity for fraud, and (3) ultimate buyer satisfaction. I thought surely some loving grandpa would buy it for a grandchild, but not yet, although Christmas is coming, and I'm going to rewrite my ad(s). The Columbus Metro area is 2 million, so no shortage of prospects.

I took a look at your ad under "collectables" of the Columbus Craigslist-pretty impressive!

By the way, considering the demographics of stamp collectors, it is more likely some loving Grandpa will buy it....for himself.

Not to get too far off topic, but I checked the craigslist offerings for Portland, Oregon, and it is clear that many non stamp collectors think they have a bonanza if they have a few old stamps.

Here is a sample in a small collection for $250.

Not as bad as this local Craigslist seller.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...0074533.html

$1000.00 for 1930 - 1950 material

I just bought a big collection with approx 50,000+++ unique scott numbers all sorted by country and numbers plus an additional 50,000 or so unsorted plus catalogs, new stock books and more. Now I certainly don't expect alot of classics or huge treasures but with approximate cost at less than 1/4 cent per stamp it was well worth it for me to expand my horizons. Since I promised my wife I wouldn't take it all out until after the holidays , I feel like a 10 year old knowing where the presents are hidden and just want to peek.

Floortrader: thanks very much for sharing the link to the Spink auction lot. That really is an impressive collection. I don't have time to closely review it now. But I've bookmarked the site with the images for review later.

Oh, CraigsList is the Wild West and Mad Max of stamp offerings. But it has certain advantages -- no shipping, face-to-face sales that may result in additional sales, cash only, lots of exposure, and FREE. I see lots of philatelic rubbish on there.

Being reckless, feisty, and independent, if I see something stupid listed for $50, I may list precisely the same item for $20. If I suddenly stop posting, that means some @$%#%&@$* took offense and eliminated the competition, Wild-West style.

Further regarding absurd prices, people are desperate in these Hard Times. A lot of folks are not living paycheck to paycheck, they are living paycheck to eviction, and grossly-overpriced material is a predictable tactic of desperation. First thing to do, however, is to back your 1994 Subaru over your cellphone, and shut down your cable TV. Amazing how much $$$ that frees up.

I have neither cellphone nor cable TV. Just stamps. I like your dastardly idea, Doug.

Nitrolures: That's quite an acquisition you described! If you don't mind disclosing, did you pick it up locally, or did you find it online somewhere?

-- Dave

You aren't kidding. Our household media bill between Cell phone for Wife, Cable TV, Internet and land line phone is $250 per month. Could be worse if I had to pay for a cell phone but luckily my company provides mine. A cool $3,000 per year for Media.