Heritage Auction Galleries is Back in the Stamp Market

GEM100 · January 13, 2009 12:36AM

For Immediate Release
Jan. 9, 2009

For more information, contact:
Kelley Norwine, 1-800-872-6467 Ext. 1583; KelleyN@HA.com
Steve Crippe, 1-800-872-6467 Ext. 1777; StevenC@HA.com
Hi-Res photography available on request

World’s 3rd Largest Auction Firm Re-Enters Stamp Market

Inaugural Heritage Stamp Auction, Feb. 5-7, 2009

DALLAS, TX – Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas (www.HA.com), Heritage Stamp Auction the world’s third largest auction company, is re-entering the philatelic market after 15 years with its Inaugural Signature® Stamp Auction to be held in Dallas and online, Feb. 5-7, 2009.

A fantastic array of high grade stamps abound in this sale, and a few highlights are Mint, original gum examples of the 1847 Franklin 5-cent (Scott #1a), $3 Columbian Exposition (Scott #243), a rare “Inverted Jenny, (#C3a),” which is – simply put – the Holy Grail of stamp collecting, a pair of 1840 Great Britain 2p Blue (S.G. #5/Scott #2) and the largest known multiple of the un-issued, non-denominated H “Yellow Hat” variety are among the items that will be offered in this important auction.

Well-known for its rare coin, currency, art, Americana, sports, comics, movie posters and jewelry auctions, full-color glossy catalogs and state-of-the art online resources for buyers and sellers, this will be the firm’s first philatelic auction since 1993 when its predecessor stamp division was known as Ivy, Shreve and Mader.

Heritage has more than 400,000 registered bidders in the United States and around the world for its 26 categories of collectibles and antiques, and enthusiasm for the new stamp division has rapidly grown in recent weeks, according to Steve Crippe, Heritage’s Director of Rare Stamps.

“I am overwhelmed at the response I have already received from collectors and consignors about our re-entry into the stamp auction market,” said Crippe. “Heritage believes there is significant strength in the marketplace for high-quality, historic, rare philatelic items.”

Highlights of the upcoming stamp auction include:

· 1847 Franklin five-cent dark brown (Scott #1a), original gum, graded PSE Mint 98J, Mint. This is the highest graded Mint #1 in any shade, known to date and has a spectacular corner sheet margin from position 100R. This stamp is estimated to exceed six figures when the hammer drops.
· 1893 $3 Columbian Exposition (Scott #243) lightly hinged with fresh original gum and graded PSE Superb 98 OGph. Pre-auction estimate is $20,000-$25,000.
· 1918, 24c Carmine Rose & Blue (#C3a), original gum, graded PSE f70. The Holy Grail of stamp collecting. This copy is Position 22 and is one of only 2 copies attaining this grade (as of 10/08) and only 3 copies are graded higher. Pre-auction estimate is $400,000
· 1840 Great Britain 2p Blue (S.G. #5/Scott #2), Mint original gum pair with generous and well balanced margins. Estimated at $35,000-$50,000.
· A mint, never hinged, block of 20 fresh and evenly centered non-denominated 1999 H “Yellow Hat” variety. It is the largest known multiple of these stamps, and the pre-auction estimate is $150,000 - $200,000.

The auction will also offer Classic U.S., 1869 Pictorial Issues, Bank Notes, Columbians, Trans-Mississippians, Pan-American inverts, Washington-Franklins, Post 1920, Airmail, Special Delivery, Duck Stamps, (including Rare Plate Proofs), Postage Dues, Shanghai overprints, Officials, Newspapers, Proofs and Essays, Postal history, British, Canadian, Rare Foreign, PSE ‘Top of the Pop’, and Modern errors, according to Crippe.

Veteran collectors will remember Heritage Co-Chairman Steve Ivy who founded Steve Ivy Philatelic Auctions and Steve Ivy Rare Stamps in the early 1980s. He also was a principal in the firm of Ivy, Shreve & Mader from 1990 to 1993 when the company was sold to Greg Manning Auctions, Inc. With a 15 year non-compete agreement now completed, Ivy and Heritage Auction Galleries are back in the stamp market.

“Heritage is opening a whole new venue for collectors to find the treasures that they love and to expand their hobbies to include stamps in their pursuit of rare collectibles,” said Ivy. “Heritage is re-entering the stamp market using our ability to reach the most discriminating collectors from all over the world. Our customer service, integrity and our easily accessible permanent database of more than two million auction items have helped us become the largest, most trusted collectibles auctioneer in the business.”

For additional information, to receive a catalog or to register online, go to www.HA.com or call 866-835-3243, and mention reference #DM15076.

####

Media contact
Kelley Norwine
Heritage Auction Galleries
www.HA.com
3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor
Dallas, TX 75219
(800) 872-6467 x 1583
KelleyN@HA.com

Please direct photography requests to:
Cindy Brenner
(800) 872-6467 x 1289
CindyB@HA.com

EDITORS: Heritage is happy to set up interviews with relevant staff, or to provide you with hi-res photos if they are not yet available on our Web site.

Heritage Stamp Auction

StampAlarm · January 13, 2009 11:17PM

Sounds good. Almost forgot about Heritage getting back into the stamp business. Mr. Ivy has been
out of the stamp auction biz for some time. I read the story in Linns a couple years back. Welp, off to
see what Heritage has up. Thanks for the post.

edueku · January 14, 2009 11:06PM

Thank they're on SAN now too. Had trouble signing up at the actual Heritage site, maybe it will be easier through SAN.

GEM100 · January 15, 2009 3:21AM

Zac,

Sorry you experienced difficulty. Please call me personally and I will be pleased to assist you.

I am certain you will want to use our Heritage LIVE software, as it offers Live Video and Audio during the floor sessions.

My direct line is 214.409.1777

Best Regards,

Steve Crippe
Director - Rare Stamps

coinpictures · January 17, 2009 10:32AM

Just got my catalog in the mail today. Definitely a surplus of eye candy! A bit light in my area (revenues) but fans of graded U.S. classics will have an absolute field day...

edueku · January 17, 2009 10:58AM

Yes I want that used E4 graded 98J! Probably won't get it, but I'll give it a shot. Where are all the used graded special delivery's ? Seems one is lucky to see more than one any big auction, makes it tough to put a set together. I have had the only partial,substantial used set on the PSE registry since that set composition was added to the registry. My PSE Used Special Delivery set

GEM100 · January 18, 2009 12:17AM

<< <i>Just got my catalog in the mail today. Definitely a surplus of eye candy! A bit light in my area (revenues) but fans of graded U.S. classics will have an absolute field day... >>

Hello coinpictures

Recommend you check out Lot# 32552. Very tasty collection of Railroad Cancels on Revenue Issue

Link

Matttodd1 · January 18, 2009 5:37AM

Q]Where are all the used graded special delivery's ? Seems one is lucky to see more than one any big auction, makes it tough to put a set together. I have had the only partial,substantial used set on the PSE registry since that set composition was added to the registry. My PSE Used Special Delivery set >>

I haven't seen many. Here's my set, consisting of a single stamp so far.

My Used Special Delivery Set

COALPORTER · January 18, 2009 9:11AM

I'm thinking of getting back into stamp collecting.
I haven't collected stamps for 35 years, so i confess to being a beginner. (I bid in Heritage coin auctions all the time). Would this auction be a good place to start, or should I get upto speed first).

How whould an expert collector view this auction? Interesting ? Expensive? Do the opening bids seam reasonable or high ?

How much does "plastic" add to a stamps value ?

Are slabbed stamps like coins, where one needs to really know what you are buying, or you could be stuck with a real dog that you could only resell at a fraction, or do graded stamps have much less chance of being problems ?

edueku · January 18, 2009 11:36PM

Matt I knew your set was there in the registry I check every so often to see if anyone shows up with a set.

Coalporter: Steve Crippe can give you some advise, although i would say become familiar with graded stamp before you start buying, and all graded stamps are not slabbed , some are graded with just paper certs. Encapsulation is better. You know the stamp will be in good condition when you buy it already slabbed/encapsulated. Should become the rule as the years progress.

edueku · January 20, 2009 12:32AM

Wow Steve some amazing stamps in the Heritage auction, still discovering all the excellent used examples throughout the catalog.

edueku · January 30, 2009 4:37AM

Well I've put in a few bids maybe I'll get lucky on one. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

GEM100 · February 1, 2009 3:40AM

Zac,

Good Luck in the sale.

SPECIAL NOTICE: For Our First Stamp Auction, we have just announced that we will be accepting Credit Cards (no surcharge and NO LIMIT) and PayPal for Invoice payments. (HERITAGE usually places a limit on Credit Card amounts for auction purchases, but for the first stamp sale - NO LIMIT)

edueku · February 3, 2009 2:28AM

Thanks Steve I wish you guys all the best of luck, only two more days ( the 5th) I'm excited to see how it turns out.

coinpictures · February 3, 2009 11:42PM

Was browsing and found a few items to bid on... until I saw the 20% buyer's fee. Sorry, but that is obscene. No wonder Heritage makes so much money. Egads...

Matttodd1 · February 4, 2009 1:31AM

Just lower your bids by 20%. That's my philosophy, to figure any buyers fee into my max bid.

Matt

edueku · February 4, 2009 3:54AM

Fortunately I don't bid much in big auctions anymore , except on "must have items" a few of which are in this sale. I mostly bargain hunt online, but the pickings are slim these days probably due to the economy in part. I've seen some great stuff go for next to nothing on ebay, I think sellers are realizing this too.

fishguts · February 4, 2009 10:57PM

This catalog is full of must haves for me, but I can't see myself placing too many bids or being successful for that matter as just about every item comes with a 95 or higher cert! LOL

I find it most impressive. My wife doesn't! LOLOL

Matttodd1 · February 5, 2009 1:36AM

I'm a bargain hunter too. I rarely buy already graded stamps. I prefer hunting for an ungraded specimen and then send it in myself hoping to hit the jackpot! Of course, doing it like this I've done really well with some and taken an absolute bath on others. I keep telling my wife its my version of gambling!

Matt

edueku · February 6, 2009 5:14AM

Looks like I won the used E4 Special Delivery graded 98J WOOHOO!("WOOHOO" is not a new PSE grade by the way) Will finally be adding a stamp to my SD registry set for the first time in a while. Check it out, a real beauty. Had the economy been better the stamp might have gone for more than twice this($1000 + 20%), really a bargain.

E4 98J Highest Graded

coinpictures · February 6, 2009 5:19AM

I'm seeing a LOT of passed items, over 50% of lots actually, which tells me that the opening bids were WAY too optimistic.

covers · February 6, 2009 5:52AM

I think much of the reason for passed lots is that the stamps were consigned, and reserves placed, before the economic downturn. The expectations were just too high and not adjusted downwards.

The best things, and the specialists pieces did well.

coinpictures · February 6, 2009 9:41AM

coinpictures · February 7, 2009 11:52AM

edueku · February 7, 2009 12:25PM

Hey coinpictures great buys. I need to get a zep set someday too(besides the baby zep I have) Probably go for used though, as that is my preferred condition these days. Yes pretty soft market and bids, but excellent for buyers. I'm sure prices will even out if there are enough serious collectors, I consider myself one even if I don't have a large bankroll. Besides the E4 98J I won in an earlier session , I also won a #319 98 today for only $150 + 20%(which I think is pretty good for any early 20th century in that grade) SMQ $365.

Was Ron Jeremy really a guest auctioneer or are you just being funny, I didn't watch any video of the auction. If he was that is really hilarious!

coinpictures · February 7, 2009 12:49PM

<< <i>Was Ron Jeremy really a guest auctioneer or are you just being funny, I didn't watch any video of the auction. If he was that is really hilarious! >>

I was being facetious. The auctioneer that started off Friday's late session looked like a dead ringer for Ron Jeremy; it gave me a chuckle.

edueku · February 7, 2009 1:03PM

OK I thought it was something like that(a lookalike) but then again Heritage went all out promoting this auction so you never know. Jeez I actually got 2 of their catalogs for this auction!

coinpictures · February 7, 2009 1:13PM

So did I. I donated one to to my local stamp club.

coinpictures · February 10, 2009 10:54PM

There is NOTHING worse than waiting for your goodies to arrive. In this world of immediate gratification, this wait is agonizing... and as far as I know my lots haven't even shipped yet.

Oh the humanity...

edueku · February 11, 2009 3:33AM

Same here.

edueku · February 11, 2009 8:32AM

Just got a confirmation via email that my items have been shipped priority mail, should have them in a couple days! WooHoo!

coinpictures · February 11, 2009 9:07AM

Yup. Mine went out Fed Ex 2-day; should have them on Friday. woot.

quarterlvr · February 11, 2009 11:59PM

Yeah, I thought they just did coins and antiquities. I'll have to go over and check them out, especially since I just swore off Ebay recently! I need another place to hang out and buy stuff I can't afford for my collection!

coinpictures · February 12, 2009 12:25AM

<< <i>I need another place to hang out and buy stuff I can't afford for my collection! >>

Story of my life.

coinpictures · February 13, 2009 2:46AM

edueku · February 13, 2009 11:51PM

Good for you glad you got a great deal!

GEM100 · February 15, 2009 3:03AM

Thanks to everyone who participated in our sale, looks like some board regulars bagged a few goodies.

We've added nicely to our sell-through with Post Auction Buys. Or, Make an Offer, all of which ends in about 10 hours. So, please visit our website; and see if something you missed is still available.

Heritage Stamp Auction - "Post-Auction Buys" and "Make Offer"

edueku · February 15, 2009 11:10PM

Yes picked up some good stuff Steve, looking forward to the next sale.

Heritage Auction Galleries is Back in the Stamp Market

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