Is Modern Stamps, Inc. A Legitimate Stamp Auction Firm?

I was looking on the StampAuctionNetwork today and saw a listing for the upcoming auction for Modern Stamps, Inc., specifically auction 537 on May 16, 2026. In the section U.S. COMPLETE MINT SHEETS Lots (141-158), I noticed they were selling multiple bulk lots with numerous current US Forever stamps. When I say current, I mean 2026 issues like Mohammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and Phillis Wheatley. Lot #144 even has sheets of Figures of the American Revolution that was just issued on April 10, 2026. They are also selling bulk lots of current issue Global Forever stamps and Floral Geometry high domination stamps. I checked the results of several of their recent auctions and noticed the same thing.

According to their website they are a "proud member of the APS" and have been doing public stamp auctions for over 40 years. Unlike other auction houses, they don't charge a buyer's fee. Perhaps some of the veterans of the stamp auction world could give some insight of this auction house. It seems to me there is a lot of red flags with them.

https://stampauctionnetwork.com//D/d5378.cfm#17

Their website: https://www.modernstamps.com/

It seems odd that they are auctioning new forever stamps, especially the figures of the revolution stamps. Some of the forever stamps can be purchased at the USPS website.

They have been around a long time as a smaller auction house, but what you describe certainly is cause for questioning.

Like I said, this has been going on for a while at this auction house. I checked their three previous auctions and have seen the same kind of current postage bulk lots. I have three theories about it:

1. The stamps are counterfeits. Counterfeit Forever stamps are a well-known issue. The problem with that is the time factor. Figures of the American Revolution was released less than a month ago. Would the likely overseas counterfeiters have time to copy it, print it, ship to America, and get it consigned to an auction in that short of time? If so, they have a very efficient operation.

2. The stamps are genuine but stolen. Perhaps a postal employee has figured out a way of talking home extra sheets of stamps and is consigning them to Modern Stamps. I have never worked for USPS so don't know how carefully they audit their inventory to know if this is possible to do on an ongoing basis.

3. The stamps are genuine but being used as part of a money laundering scheme. A person with "dirty" cash gets multiple people to buy them a bunch of forever stamps from local post offices. They consign them to Modern Stamps. The money gets returned "washed" from the auction house. The big downside would be the cost. The stamps always sell for less than face and the auction house takes their consignment fee, so you would probably lose half your money trying to clean it this way. Maybe it would be worth it for someone?

Any other theories?

I looked at the lots and discovered they don't show any close up photos. That alone doesn't mean they are fake, but I would do some more research before bidding on the lot.

Common way to earn extra money --- Tell your boss you need a check for $1,000 to load the meter machine in the mail room . He tell accounting dept. to issue you a check for postage . Take meter machine to U.S.Post Office ,tell postal clerk to load machine for $200.00 and give you $800.00 in stamps . Done . You sell stamps for $400.00 and pocket extra money .
Next week you ask accounting dept for check yourself for $1,000,repeat the process .

Floortrader - I don't think that would work anymore with everything being e-payment. According to the Pitney Bowes website, their postage meters are funded by a line of credit, a deposit account, or a credit card.

Pitney Bowes is not the USPS when reloading a meter.

I have dealt with them for years buying group and larger lots. They are as legit as they come. A small auction house with a very loyal customer base and great customer service. They have always sold these face lots in every auction. I like them because you can have auction fun on a smaller budget. Shipping is fair and fast.

I can name other much more well known firms (but won't here) with principals that have very questionable past behaviors so if you want throw shade you are throwing it in the wrong place IMO.

rodgcam - Thank you for posting your experience with them. If they have been a trustworthy auction house, I hope they don't taint their reputation by continuing to sell these suspicious lots.

I went back and looked at their last dozen auctions and yes face lots have always been a part of what they sell. Some were even Forever stamps. The sale of large amounts of current issue stamps started in December 2025. Assuming Modern Stamps inspects the stamps to make sure they aren't counterfeit, is that enough due diligence? Shouldn't the provenance of these stamps also be a concern? Who legitimately buys thousands of dollars' worth of stamps from the post office just to immediately turn around and sell them at a loss at auction? Something does not add up.

Like Will Rogers once said, "It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute."

US Figures of the American Revolution was issued in April and is in an auction at the begining of May?

They are only "suspicious" because you are throwing shade at them without any proof any suspicious activity.

How about you CONTACT them directly and ask your questions instead of blasting them on a stamp forum. Just a thought.

Anyone can be suspicious, of anything and anyone, but that does not in itself make the auction lot suspicious. Blurry images, poor descriptions or without much detail, somtimes make me suspicious.
Did anyone consider that there are collectors who buy this stuff on speculation, dealers who may have found varieties, and before they are revealed to others, are speculating buying large amounts, picking out the varietiy sheets, and dumping the rest. As well as estates just dumping collections of collectors because they dont collect themselves, they just want the cash without work. And there are some now thinking the post office may go bust and dont want to be caught holding penny on the dollar printed paper; hmm! Sounds like the penny stock market.
I buy Canadian postage lots from Canadian auction houses and lately there are lots with recent, within a couple months to a year material. Cheaper than buying at post office. To date I have found no counterfit material.
If you are concerned at all, either inspect the stuff or have the dealer check with your concern, otherwise why not just leave it where its at, and avoid those types of lots. Last of all enjoy the hobby.

The timeline from the first dayof issue of the US Figures of the American Revolution to the time the Auction House had to have the materil to include in this auction is in days...maybe hours.

Who bought that sheet and then put it up for auction where it is unlikely to get face value, even before the auction commission is taken off the top?

Call them and ask instead of conjecturing about counterfeits and blah, blah, blah. Want me to call?

I emailed Modern Stamps and asked them about all the current Forever stamps they have up for auction. This is their reply.

"You questioned how we have recent stamps in our auctions.
Some collectors sign up for the new issue service from USPS.
A credit card number (or bank account) is provided to USPS and all new issues are mailed as soon as they are issued.
Some collectors will buy several sheets of all new commemorative issues.
If the collector passes away, USPS will continue to send the stamps until they are told to stop.
In some cases this could be several months. We have had family members bring in many unopened packages from the USPS.
They have no use for the stamps, and just want to sell them. Generally, these are not consignments.
At the present time, we are the only dealer in the Detroit area buying large amounts of US "Postage".
You may have noticed we have had large quantities of "Postage" in all our auctions.
If you ever purchase an item which you believe to be not genuine, we will provide a full refund.
Best regards,
Ken"