Question For Big Blue Experts

I've come to this thread very late. The $2.9M collection that was on consignment to Harmer-Schau was taken back by the consignorm, who is now still working on it.

Squirrels don't bother me, it's the stamp I don't recognize that throws me off. Out comes the Scott, counting comes to a halt etc. That's what I always loved about stamps, you never know what you'll find on the next page.

Yesterday I was thinking about starting a new topic and I wanted to refresh my memory about "Seebecks". I goggled it and your blog was on top. Your article about the Seebeck era was excellent, good job!

When I saw "good job," I knew you had to be talking about Jim (Jkjblue)'s Big Blue Blog:

http://bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.co...onduras.html

Sorry JKblue, very useful information.

Ken

Thanks Ken.

"Filling Spaces" blog (1840-1940) (Bob) is the blog that inspired me to start my own, so I always feel complimented if we are confused with each other.

Did anyone else notice the big Noblespirit collection is off ebay again?

Yeah, and just as I had managed to scrape together $469,031.33 to make an offer for it. He pulled the $35,000 US collection too.

Since this thread has become a catch all for big worldwide collections, I guess I'll post here that Harmer-Schau has a lot in their latest auction described as:

"Worldwide Collections, Extensive Collection in 4 Scott Internationals, thousands of mint and used in well filled albums, to 1940, incl. U.S., noted used #1, 1861s to 30¢, 1869s to 12¢, large Bank Notes to 90¢, large group of Revenues, nice selection of mint and used British, French, Portuguese and German Colonies, extensive Latin America, incl. Brazil #2 used, high cat. classic Europe, Asia incl. China, Hong Kong and Japan, better early Canada, Russia, some faults, intact as received, worth a close look, generally Fine.
Estimate $12,000-15,000."

This is Sale 106, lot 3124, opening bid $8000. Unfortunately, there are no scans of pages. But, considering the paucity of large Big Blue collections over the past couple of years, I thought it worth noting. Hopefully someone going to the August 2015 APS Stampshow where the auction is being held will have a chance to examine the lot.

I noticed that collection. Without pictures it is impossible to know what it's worth, but I also looked at the cover lots in the Harmer auction and I thought they carried very low estimates. I expect many of those cover lots will sell at 2 or 3 times the high estimate. If that is a guide I wouldn't be surprised to see the Big Blue collection exceed estimates too.

I thought lot 3131 was also interesting;

Worldwide Collections, Collection to 1933, thousands of mint and used in 11 rebound Scott vols., value in Europe and Colonies, many better items throughout, noted Austria #B110 o.g., Germany incl. 1930s mint Semi-postals and Airs, some faults, but condition much better than usually seen, worth inspection, Fine.
Estimate $3,000-4,000.

I can't figure out how you get 11 volumes out of a 1933 collection.

"I can't figure out how you get 11 volumes out of a 1933 collection."

Lots of interleaves... Could be Specialty Albums...

[quote"I can't figure out how you get 11 volumes out of a 1933 collection."][/quote]

By specializing.

littleriverphil Good point I was just assuming it was a WW collection, but 11 Specialized collections make a lot of sense. I guess I better call them.

It will be very interesting to know what these 11 volumes are. The original Specialty albums date from around 1933, so these could be "first editions." (Not that it matters in their value.) But still, one can imagine a collector seeing looseleaf albums being the future and deciding to go with these rather than the then more popular Brown Internationals.

I have a stupid question about Harmer-Schau worldwide lots. What percentage of catalog value is the estimate they give, very generally? I mean a real rough estimate, or is it not possible to make an assumption? I figure some of you that may have purchased from them before might have a clue, but I understand if you don't want to disclose too much. So if lot 3131 is estimated to sell for $3000-$4000, what would a very rough estimate of the catalog value be?

I'm guessing it's something like 15k to 30k, but that based on pure BS.

Hungary I missed your question, but it looks like the general practice where there is an "Owner's catalog" the estimate is 10-15% of the estimated catalog. If it is a hard to find stuff the estimate can go higher. One thing I've learned is that each auction house has it's own rules. Some estimate very conservatively while some hype their material, you can only learn by experience.

I watched most of the auction. The WW collections were auctioned at 12:30 AM The 4 volume big blue collection sold at the opening bid of $8000. I wanted the 11 volume bound set and I thought I had a good chance after that. The 11 volume opened at $1450 and went to $4250 so fast I was caught napping. I was annoyed I missed it and went to bed so I don't know what happened to the Internet business.