Sparks Auctions' Sale #35 Postponed To January 27-29, 2021

Received this email:

Sparks Auctions' Sale #35 Postponed to January 27-29, 2021
To all our valued customers,

Today, the Government of Ontario announced a business and social shutdown in the province from December 26 through January 23, to reduce the spread and effects of COVID-19 on our communities. Our offices will therefore be closed during this period and we are moving the dates of Auction #35 to January 27-29, 2021. We are hopeful that the shutdown achieves its goals and that these dates will not change again.

The sale has been available for bidding on Stamp Auction Network since December 11. Bidding has been brisk since then. We will be monitoring email and phone messages during this closure and would be happy to assist you with any questions you may have.

Rest assured that we will keep you informed of any changes. Thank you for your business and for understanding.

Stéphane Cloutier
Auction Manager, Sparks Auctions

Yes, our whole province is shutting down, the current patchwork with each county/municipality being at a different level of restrictions has been a bust. E.g. my mostly rural area has very low case count, but lots of people driving an hour or two from lockdown areas to shop here... Which obviously defeats the whole purpose of it.

Haven't heard from Maresch as yet, but we'll see if they reschedule their January auction as well (if they reschedule to the same day as Sparks, expect to be entertained by another annoyed email from Sparks!).

I will never understand the "science" behind shutting down an auction firm that has remote live bidding.

They probably hope to buy time for in-person viewing or make on-request video presentations of lots. The province of Ontario is entering a 28-day lockdown of non-essential businesses from Dec. 26th to Jan. 23rd, which means Sparks will have to close. The sale itself looks great.

Received email, has been rescheduled to Feb 15-17th, assuming current provincial lockdown ends by then.

Here's the complete email, FWIW....



A short update from Sparks Auctions

To all our valued customers,

Today, we have updated our Sale #35 auction dates on Stamp Auction Network to February 15-17, 2021, only if we can reopen after the current Ontario lockdown period ends.

This sale has been available for bidding on Stamp Auction Network since December 11. Bidding continues to be brisk, and we ask for your patience, whether you have already placed bids, or are waiting to bid during the live sessions of the auction. We will continue to monitor email and phone messages during this closure and are always happy to assist you with any questions you may have.

Thank you for your business and for understanding this very difficult situation.

Stéphane Cloutier
Auction Manager

New dates confirmed - Feb 16-18

From email
<<Your patience is being rewarded! Our 35th public auction is being held next Tuesday through Thursday, February 16-18, 2021.

The auction sessions will start at 10:00am EST each day as follows:
• Tuesday, February 16th - Canada & British North America
• Wednesday, February 17th - British Commonwealth, Worldwide, and the Canada
Section of Postal History.
• Thursday, February 18th - Worldwide Postal History & Literature, Lots & Collections.>>