Just got on Vance Auctions' mailing list and received their mail bid catalog #308. Great catalog. Been studying it for a couple hours. I've learned alot just from reading it!
auction catalogues ARE a great source of information. they both help fill in specialized information AND give you a sense of the size of that philatelic universe. Some catalogues become cherished references, and sell for big bucks themselves; others are one-time viewings before heading to the recycling bin.
  1 Member likes this post. Login to Like.
"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"
I love looking at all the bulk lots!.......For 20 years I have sought out the best looking used single that I could afford for my US collection, bid on it, one at a time mind you, and if successful, put it into my album. I've been looking at all of the "shoebox" lots that are available and lately I feel like I've been missing out on alot of fun! For instance, I saw a lot that advertised 3 shoeboxes full of US used stamps from the 19th century up to the 1980s. It seems that it would be more educational (and enjoyable) to go through such a lot of stamps.
I know everything is personal preference but I would love to hear others' opinion on this aspect of the hobby. Thanks in advance!
Ernie
I'm sure its also a good way to get burned financially on a bunch of material that you've not inspected, is not highly sought after, and no one else wants!
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin 20 Feb 2015 12:39:14pm
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
I have been purchasing box lots at auction for well over 30 years. Yeah, I have fallen short on a couple, but most of 'em are a blast. The value for me is the "treasure hunt," not the actual treasure.
  1 Member likes this post. Login to Like.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke"
"I'm sure its also a good way to get burned financially on a bunch of material that you've not inspected, is not highly sought after, and no one else wants!"
Welcome to my world..... I love going through big boxes, I spend more time dinking than assembling.
The trick is,not to expect any gold nuggets in the dirt, just have fun playing.... many times I find little treasures because someone didn't understand what they were looking at.
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent). 20 Feb 2015 09:58:26pm
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
I'm definitely a boxlot fan and have a great dealer out in British Columbia (Canada) who I get mine from. He does packages from about $50 and up to about $300. The packages are single stamps - some pretty good values in those suckers. Then you've got the bankbox lots that are $200-$450. Good deals. I stick with the packages - I've done quite well with those
  1 Member likes this post. Login to Like.
"Let's find a cure for Still's Disease, Breast Cancer and Canine Addison's Disease. We CAN find a cure and save lives!!"
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent). 20 Feb 2015 10:47:50pm
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
Oh he's awesome - you get a range of everything - all off paper - he just takes things from packets and hoards from collections he's received - sometimes you'll get stamps on old album pages, a postcard or souvenir sheets - I even found in one package an old medal perf guide that is amazing!!!
I've found stamps in those packets that easily catalogue $5 to $10. Everything is unchecked. I've been dealing with this fella for about 15+ years and been pleased and surprised every time.
  1 Member likes this post. Login to Like.
"Let's find a cure for Still's Disease, Breast Cancer and Canine Addison's Disease. We CAN find a cure and save lives!!"
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy.. 21 Feb 2015 02:03:44am
re: Received Auction Sale catalog
I've been getting the Vance Auction "catalog" for many years, make that several decades.
I received one yesterday and as usual read Vance with the same concentration that I read through the local newspaper's obituary page, checking for friends, looking for old shipmates and trying to ascertain that my name hasn't cropped up.
I have won several bulk lots over that time span but noticed one thing, if I win, it is always at the top of my proffered bid. That's okay since I seldom bid even 50% of the rosy "estimated realization" and never more than what I am ready, willing and able to pay.
I was only disappointed once when I bid on something and entered the adjacent lot number. But the shoebox of South Africa common definitives still gave me a lot of pleasant hours looking for and finding varieties that filled several pages.
One interesting thing about Vance is the quality of the paper. They use a newspaper style format and after removing the center staples the sheets make super, re-usable stamp drying pads. Two full (double) pages, folded in half makes a convenient 8"x12" drying pad, eight panes thick, that are absorbent and easy to handle and that sm to last forever..
Login to Like this post
".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
When I lived in Illinois, there were many stamp shows to attend and also monthly bourses.
At every dealer's table there was either a penny box of loose stamps to look thru or
cigar/shoe box lots, or both. Some of the box lots were dealer remainders and had lots of
MNH multiples of good packet type material. I still have all those dealer lot duplicates, and
will be selling some of them on here.
As an example I have two stamps from Tanganyika, in multiples of over 60 copies. I have
already sold over 15 sets, on Delcampe, eBid, and Webstore. So yea I'm a diehard box lot
junkie.