The morning call., 1893-12-03
AUCTION SALES OF STAMPS.


to his accumuiations of rarities? II he
would there is nothing on record to indi-
cate it. Yet this is the sum paid for a
stamp at one of the auction sales of last
season, and stamp-collecting is still to-day
viewed by many as an inferior hobby in
every way to either coin or autograph
collecting.
The fact that such big sum Of money
was expended for single specimen at an
auction sale tends to show in a most un-
miStakable way that philatsly has reached
a dignity that few ou tside of its fascinating &
influence are willing 10 concede to it: it
also indicates that vast sums of money
are invested in stamp collections, and
that rare stamps have a value that
is es tabliShed by the most practicable and
reliable of causes supply and demand.
This has been most fully demonstrated by
the auction sales that have within a few
years become SO prominent feature in
pEilatelic circles.
When the first sale of stamps at auction
was held some predictions were m ade that
prices would be smashed and philately be
given blow from which it would not be
able 10 recover. So far were the croakers
out of their reckoning, however, that anc-
tion sales are DOW one of the most popular
means for the advanced collector to secure
desirable specimens for his album. These
sales are generally held during the fall.
winter and spring, but never to any extent
during the summer. as few care TO pay
much attention to their collections during
the dog-days, particularly in the East
The most important sales are held In
New York and London, but the largest and
most notable sale thus far falls to the
credit of the j. w. Scott Company, limited.
of New York. 1t took place last April
and extended over period Of eight even
ings. 1t comprised the collection of stamps
of the Western Hemisphere, which had
been accumulated by f. de Coffet 1t was
extensively advertised in the philatelic
papers of this country and of Europe, and
buyers from all over the world were rep
resented, one London firm alone buying
several Thousand dollars worth. Some idea
of the magnitude of this event can be
gained from the fact that the total amount
realized was in the neighborhood of $780,
600; that twenty-eight lots brought over
500 each, fifteen $500 or more each, four
over $500 each, while one specimen, a
British Guiana 2-cent stamp, used, brought
S10I0. The highest price ever paid for
stamp up to tEat time.
While in the main stamp auctions are
conducted like auctions of other articles.
they have features that are peculiar TO
themselves. Catalogues are issued and
circulated by mail to the most prominent
collectors the world over. OF course only
the better class OF stamps are offered, the
rarest stamps being listed separately.
Bids are made by mail direct to the party
who conducts the sale or to some agent in
the city where the sale is to be held. Some-
times the stamps are sent to the most im-
portant philatelic ceHters to be ex-
hibited for the benefit of intending pur-
chasers. But even where a personal in
spection is not had purchases may be
n
condition are as general thing accurately
described.
Many specimens are so scarce that no
regular catalogue undertakes to place a
price on them, and ii is to stamps of this
character that auction sales give market
value. How difficult it is to fix any actual
value on rare stamp. however, Is shown
in the emarkable fluctuation that attended
the price of the So stamp of the State De-
partment of the United States. A little
over year ago this stamp was not valued
much over its face value and great sur
prise resulted when, at an auction sale in
the fall of 1892, it brought about $40. But
ceedlng sale IL mace a big advance and
before the season was over S103 was paid
for a specimen. This season, however,
saw somewhat OF reaction. so far as this
particular stamp is concerned. The first
one put up brought only $50, but this was,
ness depression, as other stamps also
showed proportionate decrease from the
prices of last year. 1t Is expected, however,
that with the advance of the season prices
will again show an upward tendency.
There has been steady growth In IA
vor OF auction sales. among collectors and
dealers alike, and each year sees an in
creasing mum Der of them. Formerly when
collector desired to dispose of his col
lection, or anv portion of it, or of his du-
plicates, he was completely at the mercy
of the dealers and had TO sacrifice his
hoardings of years. To-day. by means of
the auction plan, he has the world for
market. and there are few collections that
do not now realize considerably in excess
of what they cost.
In this city three sales were held last
winter. which averaged somewhat over
$4,000 each. and at which very good prices
were paid. No sales for this season have
yet been announced, but several are in
contemplation. 1t is safe to say that dur
ing the past year not less than $4,000
were realized from auction sales in this
country, while even greater amount was
paid in this manner in London alone.
There are already indications, from the
sales that have taken place thus far this
season and from these announced, that
this years revenue from this source will
largely exceed that of last.
1t would be eminently uniting while On
this topic to permit the celebrated stamp
bourse of Paris to go unmentioned. Here
is what prominent American dealer had
to say regarding this unique institution,
which he visited during trip through
Europe on stamp purchasing tour:
Not far from the beautiful boulevard
Champs-E!ysees and on a space perhaps
200 feet square / saw fully 800 people,
some standing in groups of a dozen or more,
while in other cases there appeared but
two or three; all, however. seemed engaged
in conversation that claimed their entire
attention, for each one seemed obiivious to
the surroundings and little notice was
taken Of the style and fashion that per-
vaded the adjacent thoroughfares. / at
once concluded that this was the bourse
and made my way to the midst of the
gathering so that / could see the manner
in which matters were conducted.
Il was surprised to see such a cosmopoli-
tan gathering. but this is only character.
istic of Paris. suppose.
All nati0Dalities, sexes, ages and condi.
tlons of social standing were here repre-
sented. While quite naturally the French
language seemed to prevail. hare and there
could catch words spoken in German and
English. There were present the gentle
man with his high hat and frock coat. the