Urgent: Regarding Sergio And Liane Sismondo's Books, Etc!

Sergio's passing was obviously sad, but this points out the need (should be mandatory) for a plan when the inevitable finally happens. Giving someone space after they suffer a loss is a human thing to do but how much space is too much. Frankly, if anyone had my material in their possession when they "shuffle off this mortal coil" I would fully expect it's return in short order. Six months is unacceptable.

This also raises the subject of expectations when dealing with a sole proprietor vs a business/organization such as the PF, PSE etc. How is your material stored? What is there for insurance coverage? What happens if the owner dies? Will my material be considered part of the estate? Could my material be caught up in probate court? While Sergio is not in any way accused of shenanigans this topic does remind me in some ways of the David Kols debacle and the people left holding the proverbial bag after his passing.

Not a good look to have no plan and not respond to inquiries. At the very least there should have been someone, perhaps an attorney, charged with getting material back to rightful owners expeditiously.

In my opinion, the personalities involved are not the point.

The point is that we ('we' as a community of philatelists) seem to struggle with communicating past 'lessons learned'. For a hobby which is history-centric, this seems odd to me.

There have only been a handful of times in this community that we have seen any cautionary mention when we make recommendations for others to submit their material to X, Y, or Z.

We hear that Company A or Organization B has 'insurance' but do we really have any idea if the insurance will cover the liabilities if something unthinkable were to happen?

Of course, there is always a certain amount of risk involved in all transactions. But why not mention potential risks when we make recommendations to ensure that others can make the best-informed decisions they can?

For me, anytime I pack material up and send it off I to anyone I consider the possibility that I might be 'giving' it away. I limit my exposure as much as possible and would not put myself or my family in a position where the loss would have a significant negative impact to our future.
Don

I wonder if Hugh Wood offers something like auction insurance for consignors? Short term, fully protected.

Unless insurance has been paid months in advance or the heirs have continued to pay it, I would not be surprised if the insurance coverage has expired.

Re-reading the standard Hugo Wood wording (which applies both to APS and RPSC members apparently), as the consigned lot is still the property of the consignor, it would be covered against loss & damage, like any other part of their collection.

I mentioned this on another thread, but FYI, Apfelbaum is selling several Italian area "collection" lots with material that is on Sismondo lot cards. I wonder how the material wound-up with Apfelbaum?

There were reports of a dumpster being filled from their former address in NY, without known authority to do so. Perhaps some dumpster diving is the answer.

The clearing out was mentioned on SCF.

Edit:

They were loath to move material cross boarder especially into Canada. Could be the US located material was just let go without concern. Stamps carry little value, if any to someone looking to re-rent or resell a condo in NY.

Since the discussion of insurance came up, anyone who sent material to them for certification should be reimbursed IF they, the owners, had the material insured in the first place. The proper way to make a claim for material or payment after a death is via probate or trustee.

I believe anything located in the USA shortly after his death is gone for purposes of being reunited with 3rd party owners.

Just so others know who are trying to get in touch with Liane Sismondo, I was never successful throughout all attempts by phone, email, and physically mailing multiple addresses.

I even got in contact with Dutch Country Auctions (who are auctioning off some of the Sismondos' books) about my book, and about trying to get in touch with Liane. They indicated she responded to them that I was not charged for the book. This was incorrect, as I have the receipt (.....as well as memory of the whole phone/Paypal transaction).
I sent the receipt to them as well as asking for her email address. I was given her email address (which I had already tried to contact her with about this situation earlier), and emailed her twice while cc'ing Dutch Country Auctions. With last message, I included a notification that I would be filing for a refund with Paypal if I did not get a response by the end of the week.

I did not get a response, filed a case with Paypal, and am currently in the stage where Paypal expects the seller to respond with information by a certain time. As I was never able to get in contact with her throughout all of this, I wouldn't imagine anyone else would be able to.

Sad to read all this ,he was a giant in the Philatelic Community and very much respected his work .

$30...ten hours of effort chasing it.

What was the book?

Just recieved this from Cherrystone for their 12-13 September auction (in part):

Rogdcam --- Just view those lots ,looks like a few I would like to bid on but nothing is a must have . I would like to view them especially one big lot ,are you going to a viewing ? You should be able to find something to start a new interest .

It is really hard to find the Sismondo lots in the catalog. I did find a couple so far and they look like Sergio created exhibits of mostly forgeries and fakes and reprints for different Countries. This is stuff that really would have been good to have at the APRL or for expertizing such as the PF. Maybe they will bid.

Lot 1446, Spain, is an example with scans. Lot 1458, Tibet is another lot but without images. Will have to dig through and find the others.

Lot 1398, Mexico, is impressive with lots of images:

https://stampauctionnetwork.com/X/x092370.cfm#420

I am sure you will find something interesting in this Cherrystone Auction .

Forget about the APRL forgery collection . You and me need to find a week to spend there , we need to stop at office supply store and pick up file folders and large envelopes before we sort and put everything in a searchable order ,not that we are any kind of FORGERY experts but just get everything they have in a viewable file system . It was a mess the last time I was there . Pick a week in the Spring time when the fishing is good around State College and I will join you to sort that mess


On Mexico material I can give you the Regency Auction Catalog for Mexico ,it has great photos and was the collection of the former head of the MEXICAN-ELMHURST CLUB , this catalog is like the Bible of early Mexican stamps ,I have it in a box somewhere ..

TIBET ,that lot is going to go thru the roof. After the guy in Vancouver B.C. died who was the world expert and the guy from Florida who was his collecting buddy died {his son wouldn't sell me his Dad's papers and books ,they are 5 years in a storage locker } . Somebody needs to establish themselfs as the TIBET EXPERT. and this lot would jump start that process .

OK, I found the two largest general Sismondo lots. They are 1313-1314. 1314 is three cartons of fakes and bogus issues.