Stamp Bargains picked up from Online Auctions

[gavin-h]

Not the cleanest around the stamp, but acceptable

"Minor signs of aging as to be expected at over 80 years old" as a great man not too far from here often says.

[josto]

Hi!

My latest online auction bargain. I bought this lot of KGV heads for 7.49$US including shipping. Although not the clearest picture, I thought the ½d green stamp at left looked interesting from what I could see. The lot arrived yesterday in the morning! I`m glad my eyes didn`t play tricks with me!

The ½dd green single wmk, dated 12 MY 16 with nice Traralgon postmark is ACSC 63(3)o pos. 3L58 "Crack through S.W. corner", cat. value 1000$AU used!

One of my better bargains this year!

Greetings

josto

[Bill H UK]

I was well chuffed with this deal recently:

One of my favourite sets has always been the Falkland Is. Centenary set of 1933. I've had the set to 1/- for many years, but never had any hope of advancing it beyond 1/-. The four top values were way out of my league.

Then I came across this offer on Ebay a couple of weeks ago:

£70, including the 2/6d! I thought I could defray most of the cost by selling the set to 1/-, so I put a watch on it while I mulled it over. £70 is still a big buy for me on Ebay.
Almost immediately, I got an offer of £60. OK, go for it!

This week I readvertised the set to 1/- at £65, or best offer, and today accepted an offer of £60 (still a fair price, I think)

So this little £70 beauty which I've been desiring for so many years drops into my lap for effectively ZERO!

Result!!

[norvic]

I love it when a plan plays out.

A very nice stamp, and a very good pair of transactions. Well done!

[RedKiwi]

So this little £70 beauty which I've been desiring for so many years drops into my lap for effectively ZERO!



Result!!

Indeed nice when something that you have long wanted comes your way in a good deal. Well done, Bill H UK.

[gavin-h]

So this little £70 beauty which I've been desiring for so many years drops into my lap for effectively ZERO!

I'd expect nothing less from a Yorkshireman! Great work, Bill.

[Bill H UK]

Thanks, Gavin, but I'm no Yorkshireman!
(Scouser, actually!)

[RedKiwi]

I always like picking these up when I see them. This is a NZ 1913 1d Auckland Exhibition stamp (as it clearly says on the front ), but what is often missed by sellers is that there are two versions of this stamp. The slot machine - or coil stamp - which this is, is much less common than the regular issue. It is distinctive not only because of the trimmed horizontal perfs, but these also have dark brown gum. This has a CV of $300 NZD; not bad for £5.

[amfhf1]

How this was described on ebay UK: GOOD MIXING POSTAGE from JERSEY 1909 on LETTER SECTION.

A bit tatty but for 300 euros I think I did ok.

[Rog]

Good to see how these were used. I have had several with Guernsey or Jersey circular cancels, but had not seen them as used before.

Thanks for sharing

[norvic]

How this was described on ebay UK: GOOD MIXING POSTAGE from JERSEY 1909 on LETTER SECTION.

A bit tatty but for 300 euros I think I did ok.

That's really rather spectacular. Was there competition/bidding or was it Buy It Now?

Could you please provide the link so that we can see what else the seller has!

[GB 789]

Yes can’t be many of those left now with the £1 on piece, it’s the sort of thing you hope to discover in a glory box under a pile of covers or similar!

A superb item.

[lesbootman]

Thanks, Gavin, but I'm no Yorkshireman!
(Scouser, actually!)

Maybe you've assimilated a bit of Yorkshireness though Bill.

Great pair of deals - I bet you were chuffed!

[norvic]

Yes can’t be many of those left now with the £1 on piece, it’s the sort of thing you hope to discover in a glory box under a pile of covers or similar!

A superb item.

I'm waiting for Glen to come back and tell us how much an equivalent Australian item would sell for - even with revenue use as these might be said to be.

[ebay]

amfhf1 that piece looks so nice,

[Spartacus]

I must agree, you don't see these high values on piece very often.
A good buy indeed.

Cheers !

[W5LDY]

How this was described on ebay UK: GOOD MIXING POSTAGE from JERSEY 1909 on LETTER SECTION.

A bit tatty but for 300 euros I think I did ok.

That's really rather spectacular. Was there competition/bidding or was it Buy It Now?

Could you please provide the link so that we can see what else the seller has!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364561630739

Currently has vast quantities of German post WW2 zonal issues on cover, plus varieties, also pre-WW2 German stamps with Zeppelins, all on auction. Further Germany on Buy-it-Now of all periods.

[amfhf1]

I should have said 300 Canadian sorry

[billw2]

Not sure I posted this before…. Forgive me I don’t have a scanner at hand but you’ll get the idea.

Bought this rough cover on eBay some years back for like $65 US. The 1861 date meant it was maybe just maybe what I thought it was…

Yup! I was right and the PF agreed. I knew it had condition issues when I bought it.

Scott 70d. 24 cent 1861 issue, Pale Grey Violet. Second scarcest shade the 24c comes in. Maybe 20 known on cover. The PF has certified 6 or so in the past 30 years.

Catalog value should be around $4,500. Off cover used cat is $3,000 last I paid attention.

[Rog]

Very nice. Have you tracked down the addressee at all?

[David Benson]

Here is the Captain's Desk Box.

https://www.willishenryauctions.com/catalogs/antiques-estate ... -desk-box/



Mahogany, top of box has brass plate engraved “W. Whiting”, top compartment includes general papers from Captain Winslow Whiting of the American Barque “Volant” of Plymouth, Massachusetts, bills of lading from ship and boat builders, sail makers, etc. concerning repairs to the ship due to the fire of August 6, 1860; statement from Captain Whiting and some crewmen prior to fire of how coal was properly secured, etc.; receipts of duties paid – London, Newfoundland 1858; paper money; leather bound diary on board Barque Volant (includes typed pages of this diary); and obituary of Captain Winslow Whiting; bottom compartment includes carte-de-visites, 11 eyeglass cases with eyeglasses; bronze plaque in bas-relief with “Massachusetts Bay Tercentenary in New England 1630-1930″ on the front, and pilgrims, native americans, the Mayflower, airplane, witch on broomstick, etc. on the back; three packets of letters (mainly from Captain Whiting to his wife Abby) dated 1842-1854; four small hidden drawers with military medals and ribbons, and 14 framed carte-de-visites (1″ x 3/4″); five cubbyholes in front contain small tin sander used for drying writing ink, miniature photos, letter opener, and arrowheads; one brass corner on top of box missing, handles missing; 7 1/2″ h, 19 1/2″ w, 11 1/4” d, (ex. Whiting estate, Plymouth, MA).


The interesting part of the lot

" three packets of letters (mainly from Captain Whiting to his wife Abby ".

David B.

[Rog]

Great find David

[billw2]

Very nice. Have you tracked down the addressee at all?

I have not but one of these days I want to start researching my 24c covers. I have about 150 of them and of those about 110 go to Britain. Most to England and a decent number to Scotland, Wales and Ireland and a couple to Jersey and the Isle of Wight.

Weren’t you interested in Norfolk postal history? I know I have a few going there from the US.

[Rog]

Yes, I do collect postal history and have a few realated to Norfolk. I'm getting interested more and more!

[billw2]

Yes, I do collect postal history and have a few realated to Norfolk. I'm getting interested more and more!

I’ll see what I have that went there….

[billw2]

Well I thought I had more but this one is also on topic and it’s a pretty neat one.

1868 cover from Cleveland, Ohio to King’s Lynn, Norfolk. I bought this at auction quite reasonably and well below my max bid. It likely went rather cheaply because nobody picked up on the 1868 usage.

24c stamps on cover from the US to Britain aren’t that rare; the rate from 1849 through December 1867 was 1’ per 1/2oz which was 12d sterling or 24 cents US. That’s why the stamp existed.

But this was sent in feb 1868 when the rate dropped to 6d/12c so this was either (unlikely) a serious overpayment or a double rate letter. 24c frankings after 1867 are MUCH less common.

Also it’s in really nice condition and has a nice Attorney’s corner card on it. It was issued a clear Philatelic Foundation certificate some years ago which no longer accompanies.

In addition to it once having been issues a PF certificate it is also ex Hyzen (Leon Hyzen who had an excellent collection of the 24c 1861 issue) and there’s a mark on the back indicating it was once purchased from the famous dealer and one time American Stamp Dealer Association president Ezra Cole.

It was mailed in Cleveland Ohio on February 6th 1868, went through the New York exchange office on Feb 11th and made it to London (likely via Southampton) on February 22nd and on the reverse is a Lynn receiving mark from February 23.

[Rog]

Very nice!

I like the "Old England". King's Lynn is in west Norfolk, not that far from me really. Great colour for the envelope too.

I might have to see about getting some of these.

Thanks

[billw2]

Rog,

They’re out there but some quick looking shows they’re not easy to find going to Norfolk.

Prices depend greatly…. The pre-1860 covers with generally 2 12c stamps aren’t too terrible to find, with the 1860 issue 24c stamp they’re pricey, with the 1861 they’re not too bad unless we’re talking a scarce (Steel Blue), rare (Violet) or very rare (Pale Grey Violet or Blackish Violet) shade.

The UPU rate covers to England (1875+) are way way less expensive and increasingly common, like exponentially so and often cost under $15 US for a typical usage.

I know a guy who collects those and is simply buying them to every town or village in Britain he can find.

[Bill H UK]

Yes can’t be many of those left now with the £1 on piece, it’s the sort of thing you hope to discover in a glory box under a pile of covers or similar!

A superb item.

I'm waiting for Glen to come back and tell us how much an equivalent Australian item would sell for - even with revenue use as these might be said to be.

There's actually a thread somewhere where Glen usefully explains why most of the used QV £1s (and presumably the KE7, too) are cancelled in the Channel Islands, it is to do with paying customs duty which this one is, too.
So strictly it is fiscal use - but a very handsome item nonetheless.

[norvic]

Yes can’t be many of those left now with the £1 on piece, it’s the sort of thing you hope to discover in a glory box under a pile of covers or similar!

A superb item.

I'm waiting for Glen to come back and tell us how much an equivalent Australian item would sell for - even with revenue use as these might be said to be.

There's actually a thread somewhere where Glen usefully explains why most of the used QV £1s (and presumably the KE7, too) are cancelled in the Channel Islands, it is to do with paying customs duty which this one is, too.
So strictly it is fiscal use - but a very handsome item nonetheless.

I didn't realise that the stamps were used to pay Customs Duty 'up front' by the sender, rather than being charged to the recipient and collected on delivery. I wonder if this applies to all of them?

The only other use for the £1 stamps would presumably be international parcels (or VERY* large inland), bulk telegrams, or (if this was done) stamps as a receipt for bulk payment in cash of printed paper/reduced rate imitation typescript bulk mailings.

* What this receipt doesn't tell us is the weight of the package or what the dutiable contents were.

And as it's disappearing up the page I'm repeating the image!

[mozzerb]

The only other use for the £1 stamps would presumably be international parcels (or VERY* large inland), bulk telegrams, or (if this was done) stamps as a receipt for bulk payment in cash of printed paper/reduced rate imitation typescript bulk mailings.

* What this receipt doesn't tell us is the weight of the package

The postage is given as 7d, which was for a parcel of 5-7lb 1906-15.

You do occasionally see these high values on very high rate international covers, and on those "diplomatic bag" tags that seems to have been paid in bulk.

[Bill H UK]

This isn't the thread I was looking for, but covers some of the same ground.
https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=5670791&hilit=jersey+QV+%C2%A31#p5670791

The postage is only 7d, so not a huge package. Glen suggests tobacco duty, but it is clearly posted FROM Jersey, so seems odd that they would collect the duty there? It's possible, I guess, but I'd like to be clearer. (In the thread above, Glen maintains they were used on imports TO the Channel Is., but this one looks like it's FROM Jersey)

How many fags would it cost only 7d to post, and yet be economic to pay 25/- duty up front?


The fact that it's on a combined postage and duty parcel tag makes it a lot more desirable than simple fiscal (document) use, in my opinion

[mozzerb]

This isn't the thread I was looking for, but covers some of the same ground.
https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=5670791&hilit=jersey+QV+%C2%A31#p5670791

The postage is only 7d, so not a huge package. Glen suggests tobacco duty, but it is clearly posted FROM Jersey, so seems odd that they would collect the duty there? It's possible, I guess, but I'd like to be clearer.

How many fags would it cost 7d to post, and yet be economic to pay 25/- duty up front?

Probably unprocessed tobacco, not made up into cigar(ette)s?

There were other arrangements for having the sender prepay the duty, even in international mail (the UPU "Franc de Droits", although I'm not sure offhand when that started). You can still do that AFAIK.

In this case it was probably convenient, as even if UK duty was being collected in Jersey, it was being collected by the Post Office -- whose revenue would presumably be folded into the accounts on a UK-wide basis?

[Bill H UK]

On another thread, HONZA explains, thus:

https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=1506909

The reason for the frequency of these Jersey & Guernsey postmarks on high value QV, EVII & GV is that until 1969 the Channel Islands did not have their own postal service. They used the UK carrier, Royal Mail.

But the Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom - they have their own parliaments and tax structure, so when parcels containing tobacco were sent to the mainland extra duty had to be paid.

To smoothe the transit of mail the post offices in the Channel Islands were charged with collecting this duty at the time of posting and payment was indicated by means of extra postage stamps cancelled with the rest. Personally I have no problem with this.

They were not used to pay the tobacco tax unless they went by post, so I regard this as the same as paying in stamps for extra services such as registration, insurance, recorded delivery, airmail etc.

What I don't understand is why go to the trouble. if you were going to pay the duty anyway - perhaps there was an exemption on the first few grammes.

[Bill H UK]

This isn't the thread I was looking for, but covers some of the same ground.
https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=5670791&hilit=jersey+QV+%C2%A31#p5670791

The postage is only 7d, so not a huge package. Glen suggests tobacco duty, but it is clearly posted FROM Jersey, so seems odd that they would collect the duty there? It's possible, I guess, but I'd like to be clearer.

How many fags would it cost 7d to post, and yet be economic to pay 25/- duty up front?

Probably unprocessed tobacco, not made up into cigar(ette)s?

There were other arrangements for having the sender prepay the duty, even in international mail (the UPU "Franc de Droits", although I'm not sure offhand when that started). You can still do that AFAIK.

In this case it was probably convenient, as even if UK duty was being collected in Jersey, it was being collected by the Post Office -- whose revenue would presumably be folded into the accounts on a UK-wide basis?

That all sounds correct (even today, ebay collect tax at source, though not with postage stamps!)
Apart from the 'unprocessed tobacco' bit - I can't see why Jersey would be exporting unprocessed tobacco?!

[mozzerb]

Apart from the 'unprocessed tobacco' bit - I can't see why Jersey would be exporting unprocessed tobacco?!

Not sure why they would be exporting tobacco processed into cigarettes either -- but a century ago blocks of tobacco for pipe smokers would have been a much more important product?

I'm guessing the reason was that the duty to import tobacco into Jersey (and Guernsey) was low or none, so it made economic sense somehow to use the Channel Islands as a half-way house? Then again, a few pounds of tobacco is a relatively small amount, so these uses could just be specialist tobaccos?

[Bill H UK]

Ah, see what you mean. Plausible, yes.

As I recall, cigarettes only became popular after ww1.

[Global Admin]

This should leave no doubt that the £1 values were used in Guernsey to pay Customs Duties and not for postage.




the text on the Parcel Post label says Amount pre-paid for Customs Dues £1.19s.9d




Arguably 1/80th of one of the £1's was used for the 8d postage - made up by the 5d stamp and 3d as part of a £1 Seahorse left over after 19s9d of duty.

While this is from 1914 rather than the QV period, it is sufficient to illustrate the true usage.

To add to John's tiny older images here is a single £1 Green Seahorse from such entirely non-postal use -

[Rog]

Rog,

They’re out there but some quick looking shows they’re not easy to find going to Norfolk.

Prices depend greatly…. The pre-1860 covers with generally 2 12c stamps aren’t too terrible to find, with the 1860 issue 24c stamp they’re pricey, with the 1861 they’re not too bad unless we’re talking a scarce (Steel Blue), rare (Violet) or very rare (Pale Grey Violet or Blackish Violet) shade.

The UPU rate covers to England (1875+) are way way less expensive and increasingly common, like exponentially so and often cost under $15 US for a typical usage.

I know a guy who collects those and is simply buying them to every town or village in Britain he can find.

Thanks Bill, I will set up a couple of eBay saved searches to see what appears.

[Bill H UK]

Thanks, Gavin, but I'm no Yorkshireman!
(Scouser, actually!)

Maybe you've assimilated a bit of Yorkshireness though Bill.

Great pair of deals - I bet you were chuffed!

I was (and am) indeed well chuffed, Les - but you know the Yorkshireman's motto:

Eat All, Sup All, Pay Nowt.

I'm not like that!!

Although I did recently go into a bake shop in Driffield because their scones looked nice, and asked for four. The assistant said "£6 please", and I did involuntarily respond "HOW much!!??"

I walked out feeling that maybe I'd been here too long

[lesbootman]

Us folk of a certain age can be excused for being astounded when folk ask six pounds for four scones.

A bit like going into the PO and seeing a sign saying "only £18.30" on a PP.

[Global Admin]

Look on the bright side - a pint of warm English beer there runs 6 quid in London these days, so the plate of fresh scones seems a bargain.

https://www.finder.com/uk/international-pint-price-map

[Bill H UK]

Them's London prices. About £3.80 a pint here. (Actually, at £6, I believe you're on the low side for London these days.)

A startling indication of inflation came up yesterday......

The government has just increased the MINIMUM wage to £11.44 per HOUR.
When I started work in 1970, I was paid less than that for working for a WEEK!

[RedKiwi]

A pint of Guinness in Stockholm, Sweden is about 120 SEK (appox £9). I don't drink out much.

[Bill H UK]

What about scones, though?

[RedKiwi]

Sadly, hard to find a good scone here. But the Swedish equivalent - bulle - are about £2.50 each in Stockholm centre.

[amfhf1]

I am hoping a hot bath improves this.

And the cancel is wrong in so many ways.

Wrong state wrong date and I don't like how one is up side down in comparison to the other.

But a space I never expected to fill SG Aus d62

About 350 Canadian my poor credit card

[gregbear61]

Please consider if it is a forgery or copy when it arrives - it was sold by the Sydney forger trading on eBay as niftystamps111.

I'm glad you posted it. I noticed it as well at AUD $450, and then saw the seller.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=395007027832&_ssn=nifty ... =1&_sop=16

[Global Admin]

I am hoping a hot bath improves this.

And the cancel is wrong in so many ways.

Wrong state wrong date and I don't like how one is up side down in comparison to the other.

But a space I never expected to fill SG Australia D62

About 350 Canadian - my poor credit card

I've met you, and really felt sure you had more brains!

The stamp above is the real deal - does it bear any resemblance to the fuzzy laughable copy you bought?

Cheerfully offering $A450 for a photocopy -- WELL DONE! Of COURSE, a £40,000 cat stamp will be sold for 200 quid. Gotta luv ebay Bahhrrgeenzzz.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/395007027832

Did you also buy the 10/- Due he had offered with the exact same fake cancel? Might as well keep them as a pair. Why not cut the photo of a REAL one from an Auction catalogue and put that in your album. ZERO cost then, and just as genuine.

And did you buy the many early Tasmania imperf photocopies he just sold? All snapped up by eBunnnnnies with FAR more money than sense.

EVERYTHING this crook sells are forged.

Did you search for the ebay forger niftystamps111 seller name here first and discover in 5 seconds that he is the serial faker - OF COURSE NOT. He is some fun reading for you before you go bankrupt supporting this guy's illegal business.

https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=85476

Did you notice from his feedback he only runs 'PRIVATE AUCTIONS' which is a huge warning light that things are rigged and dodgy. OF COURSE NOT.

Did you consult an ACSC 'Postage Dues' catalogue that tells you that only 2 used copies are known, both with Violet cancels of Sydney Parcel Branch? OF COURSE NOT.

Discussed here widely of course, but hey why read any FACTS??? Why spend $100 on a catalogue, when buying photocopied fakes etc, are only costing you $450?? Perfectly logical.

And as for the 'hot bath' pipe dream ... I suggest you google the words 'fugitive inks'.

OMG ....

LOOK at what the Bunny Brigade have bought off this serial faker - All this junk has SOLD to clueless idiots - all fake -

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=395007027832&_ssn=nifty ... =1&_sop=16

[billw2]

Glen beat me to it. I don’t collect Australia but I know those high value postage dues that have broadly similar designs to the US postage dues are worth stupid money.

Cherry-picking stuff from online auctions is 95% of the time YOUR knowledge exceeding the seller’s and quite often the other bidders.

Look at those covers above that I posted. I know a lot about the 24 cent 1861 issue, I know that a cover with an 1861 date on it and a grayish looking stamp is quite possibly a 70d. I know that the 1868 date on that second cover means it’s a double rate. The sellers didn’t have that knowledge so I used MY knowledge to my advantage.

I’ve picked 2 Scott 62b examples off of eBay. It’s the type 1 10c 1861 issue. It has minor differences from the relatively common Scott 68, but the 62b cats for like $1,800 vs $65.

If we’re talking about a specific stamp that’s very rare and valuable that you buy for 1% or so of catalog there’s something likely wrong with it as in its a fake and bidders that know spot it and won’t bid.