This Auction Lot Is My Dream Early 20th Century US Collection

This is a very impressive collection. I don't know who assembled this, but they put a LOT of time and money into acquiring a collection that shows very well.

If I had $33,750 plus tax, after the 77.5% off coupon, I would snap this up. Probably why I dont have $33,750.

(Disclaimer: I'm not saying 'buy this lot'. I didn't do a cost analysis, just admired the stamps as they scrolled by).



"https://www.apfelbauminc.com/catalo.../category/3/

I wonder what other people are thinking. I occasionally go through Apfelbaum lots (I get about 37 emails per day). Of the things I'm knowledgeable, I think the prices shown are way, way over true market value. So even with amazing rebates, I often have the feeling "still too much". The $34k of this lot is, let's say it, optimistically priced.

Standard disclaimer: I may be wrong though.

I'm only seeing a price of $155,000. And I am not seeing the dollar denomination stamps or mention of certificates.

On 'extreme couponing' they only pay $ 33,750, apparently.

Their pricing is arbitrary, but the collection is very attractive, regardless.

Attractive looking indeed, but as soon as I realized who the vendor is, the caveat emptor red flag was raised.

There are a few scattered certificates noted, but for the approximately 40 W/F coils not a single certificate is mentioned.

docgfd has the right of it re this seller.

I agree with the opinions of docgfd and M&M regarding the seller. Yes, the collection looks very nice, but not at that price!

Now if the seller gave me the W/F coils for free, I would gladly pay to have each of them certified and would not complain about the cost for those that came back as mis-identified.

My last submission of 8 WF coil pairs resulted in 5 determinations of faked perfs (made from imperf 408s and 409s). There are a boatload of fake W/F issues in collections. I'm gradually getting all of my W/F coils certified or replaced with certified pairs.

I generally agree. The pricing structure is strange and even with the emailed discounts, most lots are still overpriced.

There are also issues in sellers past.

What I enjoyed about this collection is the time and effort it took to find such nice examples. I wouldn't pay 34k... unless I had money to burn. Whoever put this together probably paid a premium for many of these stamps. And apparently trusted whoever they purchased them from, based on the lack of certs. They likely did have money to burn.

docgfd nailed it. With this seller the outside almost always outshines the inside.

Buying from them is basically buying a lottery ticket. You may win but then again you may not.

I'm one of those who has taken a chance in the past and have had good and bad experiences.

From them, a nightmare, not a dream.

Ok, thanks, good to know. I guess the lesson they learned was how to remain 'ethically challenged' without getting indicted.

I think 1TYPESTTER got it right "Basically buying a lottery ticket "

I seen this before two or three times before on chat boards . The fantastic purchase at APFELBAUM .

Like a lottery ticket there is one winner out of 100,000 buyers . The firm is working on that principle . Find a buyer who posts reviews and send them a winning lot and sit back and wait for the reviews