The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-13
The 'Sinkler'' Sale
 By "OBSERVER"

The sale of the Wharton Sinkler" collection held by Eugene Klein in Philadelphia on March 8 proved be- yond any doubt that scarce United States stamps in first class condi- tion are in consistent demand and afford keen competition between large numbers of buyers. The sale of 755 lots realized total of $79,- 928.6O with no less than $45,598.70 going to the Y. Souren Go. of New York, who, as usual, walked away with practically every outstanding piece.
 The highlight of the sale was. of course, the mint block of the Pc Pan American with inverted center. This was the first time such a block has appeared in an auction sale and Souren acquired it for $10,000. It is one of the two known blocks, the other being in the collection of the late Colonel E. H. R. Green. Fol- lowing is a short resume of the sale with the prices realized for some of the more important pieces in the collection and 1t can be seen that there was an utter disregard of catalogue values on a large percen- tage of the lots.
 A beautiful assortment of Sc and 10c 1847 on original covers sold at very substantial figures, practically every item selling at full to several times the catalogue value. A cover bearing a strip of three Sc went to Souren at $370 considerably over the estimated price. Covers mailed from small towns and those in par ticularly fine condition all realized excellent figures with keen competi- tion from many buyers.
 There was particularly keen coln- petition on the department stamps. Almost without exception, the real- ization was from 80% to three or four times the catalogue value. The condition throughout this group was unusually fine. Sets of the department issues with Specimen" overprint sold at current figures, rather low in comparison with cata- logue values, but refiecting the lim- tied demand for these stamps de- spite their acknowledged rarity.
 The $1O and $20 state department, the two great rarities, each sold at $550, 10% over their catalogue value, going to Ward. The complete set of Specimen" stamps in imperfor- ate pairs went at $645 to an order bid. Prices in general were quite close to catalogue value with quite a number of items realizing conSid- erably more than these quotations.
 The sale was well attended, with buyers from all parts of the country. Many New York dealers were pres- ent in person and practically every lot received spirited competition from the floor. Without exception, the sound, substantial stamps and blocks showed the great strength of the American market and. contra wise, the questionable, speculative material continued to show a limit ed demand. It is stated that the Philatelic Research Laboratories were given the opportunity to check on the great majority of the lots in this sale and Mir. 6ouren states that the favorable reports rendered by them made 1t possible for him to ace quire 90 many valuable pieces with full confidence in the correctness of their description and ciassifica- lion. PArtiular credit s due Mr. Klein for the dignifed and com potent manner in which the entire kale was handled. It was credit to American Phllately and complete veriflcation of the opinion held by 60 many that the best and most sub. ssantiai market for United states stamps ls right here in our own country.