Today's H.r. Harmer Auction.... Over The Moon!

I sat through most of today's H.R. Harmer auction at SAN, and was absolutely flabbergasted at the prices realized. Damned near everything sold for above estimate (and they weren't lowballing estimates like some auction houses do), with some lots going insanely above estimate.

I don't know if the quality was just that good or people are looking for places to spend philatelic money since there are no shows at the moment, but man...

I only had one lot I was interested in, and I managed to win it, but paid dearly for it.

Stamp market down? I don't freaking think so. And it wasn't just the high end material that was selling well either.

Seriously, what an eye opener. Great for the hobby.

You can't really be surprised at the price of that stamp; it's not all that easy to find with such a popular cancel (unless there was something else....).

That's not the lot I bought.

I already have the Brady's Bend cancel on a 30c third issue, although mine is munged.

Considering the amount of money I have into my stamp collection, I hesitate to even THINK the following:

Generally, when the economy takes a downturn, things like hobbies tend to get hit hard because there is less discretionary funds out there. I am lucky (???) in that I work in an essential industry and I still have a job. I also have a lot of vacation time to use up before my next anniversary in September, so I have been taking a week off here and there - I can't really go anywhere so I have been buying cartons of stamps online. I suspect many other stamp collectors are doing the same. The economy is in an undeniable slowdown, yet stamp prices are up, bucking the generality I stated above. I would tend to think this is a special circumstance and I ASSUME it isn't 'real', in the sense of a long-term trend. I HOPE the stamp market is experiencing a renaissance, but I will wait until things (Covid-wise and economy-wise) get back to some semblance of normal before I get too excited about it.

In the meantime, I guess I am paying a little more for my indulgence that brings me joy in a time when that is a little harder to find.

It really should not be puzzling. People have had time, a fair percentage of collectors are older and more secure financially, and so on line buying is up, both at auction and from dealer's sites. There are no shows, which means no one can replenish that way, so everyone is using auctions to do so. So prices go up because of competition.

A lot of good and accurate statements above .

We are seeing a lot more interest in stamp collecting right now thru internet sales . I am spending more time putting together country collections and topical mixtures ,there clearly is a lot more buying from start up collectors and activity from people adding to their collections .

It is a good time to reduce all those boxes and cartons that seem to build up in the closet and garage .

Hi Floortrader, Where are you selling your country lots, etc -david

Thru a friend of mine who sells on ebay .I stop at his house to work on lots for a few hours then we go out to lunch with our profits .He now buys at stamp auctions which gives me a source of new material.I work for stamps not for money .