Comments Requested On Revenue Auction On San

https://stampauctionnetwork.com/B/B96.cfm

There appears to be quite a few pricy items for sale here with no certifications listed. Personally I would be hesitant to spend significant cash for anything that isn't certified.

Any forum members care to comment on lots that would give them pause? Or lots that are probably genuine?

I noticed that as well when viewing the catalog yesterday. I will be interested to hear opinions.

Let me make it clear, I do not collect revenues and know absolutely nothing about what is being offered. However, I've been around the auction block a few times. In his terms of sale, the auctioneer gives a rather cloudy explanation of the expertization process, specifically avoiding the question of who pays for the certificate. If I were buying, at this point, unless I felt fully confident that the item was sound and genuine or offered with a good certificate, I'd pass.

I know the auction house well. I've bought from them numerous times... I've also had problems and returns many times. Be VERY wary of any imperfs, part perfs, or proprietary roulettes without certs. If you're going to bid on any of that type of material, you MUST put it on extension.

There are definitely some bogus items throughout.

That said, I plan to bid on some material, but not the high-dollar items.

If I had the money, I would probably bid on the Pacific Mail Steamship cancel collection. If nothing else, I'd love to get the mixed ship examples. Sadly, it's far beyond my means.

There are more images of the balance lots on Aldrich's website than on SAN.

Does anyone know: did John Lewis pass away, or is he simply selling his collection? I believe his son passed away several years ago; they were a father and son collecting duo. When I first started buying revenue cancels back in the early 2000s, I would butt heads with John on ebay all the time... and he would almost always win, as he had unlimited funds. He was my ebay arch-nemesis for several years until ebay anonymized user IDs. We conversed several times via email, but I haven't touched base with him in years.

UPDATE: It turns out that John passed away in September.

The collection is strong and there are a lot of definitely genuine items. I do see some lots that raise my eyebrows, though.

Lot #81, for example, proports to be a bisect use of a 2c first issue revenue on document. These items are too easy to fake (half a common stamp + old wrapper + tie with a generic handstamp and you're done), and I'm pretty sure this one would get "no opinion" at best if you sent it in. If genuine, it would be a pretty awesome item, but the problem is I don't think there's enough evidence to call it authentic even if by chance it is a genuine use.

There are a lot of inverted centers, some with certs and some without -- these pretty much demand expertisation as well, as there are many quality forgeries out there. Still an amazing array of these errors, even if we only count the ones with certs. Neat stuff.

There's some good material in this sale.

The tax rate for proprietary medicines was one cent per 25 cents of retail value, so there is no reason to have a two cent stamp on it. I would want to examine it, but the rate does match the bisect. There are other lots to be concerned about such as 35,80,133,156,200,201,205,281,284,287,295,296,427. Not saying that all are bad for sure, but for sure all need a cert.

as previously mentioned given the selling dealer I would say caution is warranted for the high value and rare items. the cancels speak for themselves. eyes on would be the best way to go if you are spending real money. that said the collection as a group is very nice.

I second that emotion. I'm sure there are a few on this board who would agree.

I doubt it would happen, but maybe the winner will break it up and disperse it.

Well prices seem very strong for the first day of the sale. Anyone have any wins.

Strong is an understatement. Some of the results are so incredibly out of place, even on the fake/dodgy items, that I have some suspicions... I'll just leave it at that.

I wasn't around for the Joyce, Tolman, or Cunliffe auctions, and the feeding frenzies that ensued at those auctions. But the results yesterday were easily the craziest revenue results I've seen in the roughly 12 years I've been participating in major auctions for revenue material.

More after the second session.

No kidding! I'm bidding on some lots but getting blown out of the water.

Ex $1550 for a 40cent stamp cat!!!!!! Probably about $400 tops. Lot 67. Of course a desirable printed cancel, but c'mon. Really?

Yeah, I spoke with Richard Friedberg during the session yesterday about that exact item. I've sold several in the $300-350 range, and Richard says he usually prices them at $600 (full retail obviously).

This example IS the strongest strike I've ever seen, and it's complete (sometimes you see elements falling off the edge of the stamp), so I can see it hitting $500-600, but $1550 is nucking futs.

Check out lot 113. I assumed it would go for $300-500... umm... apparently not.
114 is in line; those always are in demand, regardless of the condition of the underlying stamp.

I've won one lot thus far, and had to go way beyond my original budget. Five other lots I was the underbidder on, and about nine others I never even bid, as they soared way past my maximum right out of the gate.

Richard and I talked about the Pacific Mail Steamship cancel collection... whoever bought it paid $250 per stamp! Now, the scarcer items in it do indeed go for $250-450 per, and there's no real market standard for the multi-ship examples (there are 4 in the collection), but they paid $250 even for the (comparatively) common CHINA, JAPAN, ARIZONA, and ALASKA cancels, which are normally $50-100 at retail.

Somebody just decided to acquire it regardless of cost.

Virtually no bargains to be had...

Which lot # was for the Pacific Mail Steamship cancel collection? Thanks.

Lot #368. Hammer price was $37.5K.

Thank you, codehappy.

The person who paid $50,000+ for the Pacific Steamship collection was the same bidder who paid $1,550 for the Poland cancel on R13c and big bucks for a number of other cancels. I agree that the Friday session was crazy.