Need Auction House Recommendation

Hello,

Can anyone recommend an auction house that they feel is a good choice for selling a large, mint early Chinese stamp collection? I'd appreciate any names as I'm new to this hobby!!

Hello byrdste,

Welcome to SCF

Just tell what you have on internet, maybe the auction house will contact you. In USA, there is a big Chinese stamps auction house, I just forget the name, like Michael...? Someone here will let you know.

Best regards,
ZhangCheng

here is:michaelrogersinc.com

For Chinese stamps, proper lotting is extremely critical, as is the need for expertizing. The first factor is pretty much beyond your control; the second isn't, other than the fact that in the minds of international buyers, you may select the "wrong" expertizer. Also, if a $50-60 purchase is within your comfort zone (before you begin), buy a 2012 (NOT 2011) Gibbons Part 17 Catalog, which covers China, Macau, Hong Kong, etc.

Myself, I would not dump a Chinese collection into the eager hands of an auction house. I'd prefer to deal with Michael Rogers or Rising Sun, etc., directly across the table, which in some cases, would eliminate the need for expensive expertizing.

OP, are you an experienced seller on ebay? That would affect the rest of my answer.

Bottom line- Most China = $$$$$$. Just about any auction house will make sales of this material but as mentioned above you should take the time to do a bit of research. Really early china isn't like PRC but you have to have the newest catalog to check. Prices from even 2010 are not in sync with current market and to be honest on many issues catalog goes out the window with items fetching 5x catalog. I'm not personally firmiliar with the specialist but the 2 auction houses mentioned above are probably your best bet . If you have time post a few pics and members here will help out.

Gibbons issued a Part 17 in 2011, then almost immediately published a new Part 17 in 2012 because prices had increased so rapidly and randomly. Owning a copy does not confer any great benefit in selling, but it makes you aware of the market in the international sense, more than Scott would.

Let's go back to my premise of experience in ebay selling. You might start by selling off everything anticipated to be worth LESS than $25, and in general, you will get what it's worth. No expertizing needed in this price range, and auction houses are glad they don't have to fool with low-priced sets and singles. I would NOT attempt to sell any Chinese over $25 or so, as you begin to incur meaningful risks of shipping, and complaints from finicky buyers. Nor would I sell any covers on ebay. One little squiggly character can mean the difference between a $5 and a $500 item, especially when we're talking about the turbulent years 1935 to 1955.

But this would be a way to simplify the process, and let an auction house (or a buyer) focus on the big-ticket items. Even the low end should find plenty of bidders.

More and more you see really high value items on ebay and likely with the vast worldwide audience they are fetching close to auction prices.Of course this may be from dealers and auction houses hedging their bets on making 20% or more. As stated though (and not meaning to stereotype) Shipping offshore can be a very risky venture. Of course registered and insured help insure delivery but dealing with paypal complaints and having funds held up especially in the 100's if not 1000's is a big deterrent.
While were on the subject- What other asian countries would be ones to watch for? I have a bunch of north / south Korea, Vietnam, singapore ect... Are any of the other asian countries trending higher with the china increases??

My guess would be that older Singapore are moving up rapidly. I don't see any big increases in North or South Korea, but I could be wrong. North Korea postal history prior to the Korean War is, and always has been, red hot; now subject to forgeries, including old envelopes, postal markings, and receiving cancels, all painstakingly reproduced and appropriately but artificially aged.

I would recommend Kelleher Auctions. They run auctions in Hong Kong as well.

George

Welcome to SCF byrdste!

Your country of origin would be a good start before naming an auction house


KGV.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions! I've decided to get Michael Rogers to help out with the auction. I wouldn't have known of him had it not been for your help! Thanks!!