auction catalogues ARE a great source of information. they both help fill in specialized information AND give you a sense of the size of that philatelic universe. Some catalogues become cherished references, and sell for big bucks themselves; others are one-time viewings before heading to the recycling bin.
"ARE a great source of information....sense of the size of that philatelic universe."
"Been studying it for a couple hours. I've learned alot just from reading it!
"
I love looking at all the bulk lots!.......For 20 years I have sought out the best looking used single that I could afford for my US collection, bid on it, one at a time mind you, and if successful, put it into my album. I've been looking at all of the "shoebox" lots that are available and lately I feel like I've been missing out on alot of fun! For instance, I saw a lot that advertised 3 shoeboxes full of US used stamps from the 19th century up to the 1980s. It seems that it would be more educational (and enjoyable) to go through such a lot of stamps.
I know everything is personal preference but I would love to hear others' opinion on this aspect of the hobby. Thanks in advance!
Ernie
I'm sure its also a good way to get burned financially on a bunch of material that you've not inspected, is not highly sought after, and no one else wants!
I have been purchasing box lots at auction for well over 30 years. Yeah, I have fallen short on a couple, but most of 'em are a blast. The value for me is the "treasure hunt," not the actual treasure.
"I'm sure its also a good way to get burned financially on a bunch of material that you've not inspected, is not highly sought after, and no one else wants!"
I'm definitely a boxlot fan and have a great dealer out in British Columbia (Canada) who I get mine from. He does packages from about $50 and up to about $300. The packages are single stamps - some pretty good values in those suckers. Then you've got the bankbox lots that are $200-$450. Good deals. I stick with the packages - I've done quite well with those
"I've done quite well with those "
Oh he's awesome - you get a range of everything - all off paper - he just takes things from packets and hoards from collections he's received - sometimes you'll get stamps on old album pages, a postcard or souvenir sheets - I even found in one package an old medal perf guide that is amazing!!!
I've found stamps in those packets that easily catalogue $5 to $10. Everything is unchecked. I've been dealing with this fella for about 15+ years and been pleased and surprised every time.
I've been getting the Vance Auction "catalog" for many years, make that several decades.
I received one yesterday and as usual read Vance with the same concentration that I read through the local newspaper's obituary page, checking for friends, looking for old shipmates and trying to ascertain that my name hasn't cropped up.
I have won several bulk lots over that time span but noticed one thing, if I win, it is always at the top of my proffered bid. That's okay since I seldom bid even 50% of the rosy "estimated realization" and never more than what I am ready, willing and able to pay.
I was only disappointed once when I bid on something and entered the adjacent lot number. But the shoebox of South Africa common definitives still gave me a lot of pleasant hours looking for and finding varieties that filled several pages.
One interesting thing about Vance is the quality of the paper. They use a newspaper style format and after removing the center staples the sheets make super, re-usable stamp drying pads. Two full (double) pages, folded in half makes a convenient 8"x12" drying pad, eight panes thick, that are absorbent and easy to handle and that sm to last forever..
Hi Everyone;
When I lived in Illinois, there were many stamp shows to attend and also monthly bourses.
At every dealer's table there was either a penny box of loose stamps to look thru or
cigar/shoe box lots, or both. Some of the box lots were dealer remainders and had lots of
MNH multiples of good packet type material. I still have all those dealer lot duplicates, and
will be selling some of them on here.
As an example I have two stamps from Tanganyika, in multiples of over 60 copies. I have
already sold over 15 sets, on Delcampe, eBid, and Webstore. So yea I'm a diehard box lot
junkie.
Just a drifter passin' thru....
TuskenRaider
Just got on Vance Auctions' mailing list and received their mail bid catalog #308. Great catalog. Been studying it for a couple hours. I've learned alot just from reading it!
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
auction catalogues ARE a great source of information. they both help fill in specialized information AND give you a sense of the size of that philatelic universe. Some catalogues become cherished references, and sell for big bucks themselves; others are one-time viewings before heading to the recycling bin.
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
"ARE a great source of information....sense of the size of that philatelic universe."
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
"Been studying it for a couple hours. I've learned alot just from reading it!
"
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
I love looking at all the bulk lots!.......For 20 years I have sought out the best looking used single that I could afford for my US collection, bid on it, one at a time mind you, and if successful, put it into my album. I've been looking at all of the "shoebox" lots that are available and lately I feel like I've been missing out on alot of fun! For instance, I saw a lot that advertised 3 shoeboxes full of US used stamps from the 19th century up to the 1980s. It seems that it would be more educational (and enjoyable) to go through such a lot of stamps.
I know everything is personal preference but I would love to hear others' opinion on this aspect of the hobby. Thanks in advance!
Ernie
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
I'm sure its also a good way to get burned financially on a bunch of material that you've not inspected, is not highly sought after, and no one else wants!
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
I have been purchasing box lots at auction for well over 30 years. Yeah, I have fallen short on a couple, but most of 'em are a blast. The value for me is the "treasure hunt," not the actual treasure.
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
"I'm sure its also a good way to get burned financially on a bunch of material that you've not inspected, is not highly sought after, and no one else wants!"
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
I'm definitely a boxlot fan and have a great dealer out in British Columbia (Canada) who I get mine from. He does packages from about $50 and up to about $300. The packages are single stamps - some pretty good values in those suckers. Then you've got the bankbox lots that are $200-$450. Good deals. I stick with the packages - I've done quite well with those
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
"I've done quite well with those "
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
Oh he's awesome - you get a range of everything - all off paper - he just takes things from packets and hoards from collections he's received - sometimes you'll get stamps on old album pages, a postcard or souvenir sheets - I even found in one package an old medal perf guide that is amazing!!!
I've found stamps in those packets that easily catalogue $5 to $10. Everything is unchecked. I've been dealing with this fella for about 15+ years and been pleased and surprised every time.
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
I've been getting the Vance Auction "catalog" for many years, make that several decades.
I received one yesterday and as usual read Vance with the same concentration that I read through the local newspaper's obituary page, checking for friends, looking for old shipmates and trying to ascertain that my name hasn't cropped up.
I have won several bulk lots over that time span but noticed one thing, if I win, it is always at the top of my proffered bid. That's okay since I seldom bid even 50% of the rosy "estimated realization" and never more than what I am ready, willing and able to pay.
I was only disappointed once when I bid on something and entered the adjacent lot number. But the shoebox of South Africa common definitives still gave me a lot of pleasant hours looking for and finding varieties that filled several pages.
One interesting thing about Vance is the quality of the paper. They use a newspaper style format and after removing the center staples the sheets make super, re-usable stamp drying pads. Two full (double) pages, folded in half makes a convenient 8"x12" drying pad, eight panes thick, that are absorbent and easy to handle and that sm to last forever..
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
Hi Everyone;
When I lived in Illinois, there were many stamp shows to attend and also monthly bourses.
At every dealer's table there was either a penny box of loose stamps to look thru or
cigar/shoe box lots, or both. Some of the box lots were dealer remainders and had lots of
MNH multiples of good packet type material. I still have all those dealer lot duplicates, and
will be selling some of them on here.
As an example I have two stamps from Tanganyika, in multiples of over 60 copies. I have
already sold over 15 sets, on Delcampe, eBid, and Webstore. So yea I'm a diehard box lot
junkie.
Just a drifter passin' thru....
TuskenRaider