Special Auction #1

[Nick]

Just received the catalogue for the Special. What a feast! (and I'm not normally given to using exclamation marks).

There is noticeably no mention of who the seller is. Is that confidential?

Nick

[Edo_Rajh]

Special auction? I'm interested. What it's about?

[Tim_Balm]

OK....  The Special Auction is an auction of 651 lots from one of our members who is selling his collection.  He contacted me after I wrote the article on disposing of your collection (V11N4).  There are unfortunate circumstances behind his need to sell.  Due to the circumstances, I will not widely divulge the name.

For this auction, I decided to turn the tables and give the international folks a break by sending the mailing to them early.  I believe I sent out the int'l ones on the 10th or 11th of Feb.  I just mailed the domestic (US) listings today.  Global mail service is a thing of wonder.  I actually received bids last Saturday from our member in Denmark.  Nick, you say you rec'd yours today.  Edo obviously has not received his yet.  I have heard nothing from Japan, Canada or Australia - but (among those 3) only the Japan member participates in the auctions.

Yes, there is some very nice material in this auction.  Items that are not easy to find.  I would guess that is true for the holdings of many of our members.  I know I was "jealous" the other day when Edo said he had purchased a (Nicaragua) Cabo Gracias #1.  I have never even seen stamps from there in any of the bourses or shows that I have attended.  But that just creates the thrill of the find when I do stumble across it.

So, Nick, salivate over the stamps (figuratively, of course) - and try to figure out how to over-extend your stamp budget.  Some of these things will not come your way again for a while.

Tim

[Edo_Rajh]

Wow! Then I should put on hold some planed purchases. Hardly wait to receive auction list.

[Nick]

Due to the circumstances, I will not widely divulge the name.

Point taken, Tim. Didn't mean to pry, just curious. Best wishes to whoever it is.

Nick

[Edo_Rajh]

Just an update - I received catalogue today.

[Tim_Balm]

Well folks,

Bidding on the special auction ended last night.  All the preliminary programs have been run and the lot winners determined.  But... I need to do my "double-checking" before notifying every one.  This could take a few days.  More than 90% of the #1 lots were sold and more than 50% of the non-#1 lots sold.  There were over 2500 bids (2582 by quick, unverified count).  A typical FICC auction will attract 500-800 bids, and those keep me busy for a whole weekend when they end.

I think it is absolutely great that so many members will add to their collections.