Jenny2U
That's a nice postcard from Herman Herst....
I like covers from dealers and famous philatelic authors. When they're recognized as such they can sometimes fetch high prices, especially in bidding
wars. Often, they languish in dealer dollar boxes, or sell unrecognized in bulk lots.
Around 1977 I joined the Hollywood, Florida Stamp Club as an eighteen-year old fairly knowledgeable collector (so I thought.) Every Tuesday evening was a well-attended meeting and auction Many older collectors and even some retired Nassau Street dealers (Violet Montalto was one I recall well) would sell remnants and odd-lots of fairly interesting stuff.
One particular lot I ended up winning for $25. Before the Internet and
ebay, stamp clubs were about the only game in town except for retail stores and stamp shows!)
No sooner had I won the banker's box-sized carton, than as I was carrying it back to my seat a rather feisty older fellow who I'd bid against sneered at me "so you're the young whipper-snapper who overbid on that box of junk!" The elderly gentleman was in a wheelchair but his hand was rummaging through the box as he spoke! "I'll give you two dollars for this cover." I eagerly took it as well as several other dollar bills shoved in my face from others who "just wanted one thing" from the hoard of mostly covers and cards.
I more than recouped the $25 I spent, selling half a dozen covers I had no interest in, so I was very pleased with myself. A little later someone told me "It must feel great to outbid Pat Herst, huh?!"
Even at a young age I'd heard of Herman (Pat) Herst, having read quite a few of his articles. I even had a book or two he authored. My ego soared when I considered he and I had similar tastes for certain stamp lots, and we were quite often fiercely competitive bidding on a wide range of generally eclectic material. We both shared a fondness for postal history with a story, especially poster stamps and other Cinderellas tied on cover.
--Jim Wentzell
stampguyaps177-681
Posted 10/19/2017 9:30 pm
