PREVIEW of our 7th Auction
2.-3. March 2018
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The Inverted MadonnaBudapest 1925 – besides cigarettes, tobacco and newspapers, postage stamps are sold in the so-called „trafiks“ (e.g. tabacconist`s , stationer). Also the new beautiful two-coloured stamps depicting the „Patrona Hungarica“ (madonna of Hungary) are available... Hidden in the tabacconist`s stock of postage stamps is a sheet of the 5000 K. denomination, which has a small flaw: the centerpiece of the stamp showing the madonna with the child is inverted! Most of these stamps are sold unnoticed and still until today this is the only sheet showing this stunning variety. Only a few copies survived, most of them being tucked away from the market in postal museums or public collections. A fabulous copy of the iconic Hungarian variety will be offered in our 7th auction from March 2-3, 2018. It is graced by a perfect centering and a perfect perforation (which is scarce with these stamps which are plagued with perforation faults due to the thin paper which was used for the printing). The stamp comes on a large piece tied by a BUDAPEST 85 cancellation and showing the corresponding registration label alongside. |
About bugs and stamps in times of turmoilWe found this fancy advertisment in the „Entomologischer Anzeiger“ of 1921. Entomology is the science of insects and there was a big market in the 1920s for collectors of bugs, butterflies and other insects. But do not worry – we will stick to our topic – postage stamps. The guy who placed this ad, a Mr. Gustav Preinfalk of Vienna, was ready to swap „Kriegs- und Umsturzmarken“ (war stamps and stamps in times of turmoil) against bugs he was looking for.Those war- and after-WWI stamps of the formerly Austrian provinces were „hot“ for collectors in the early 1920s. After the decline of the Habsburgian monarchy there were many new stamp issuing countries such as the Baltic States, Poland since 1918, Yougoslavia or Czechoslovakia and as a collector you could really start „at the beginning“! We are able to offer quite a good range of these scarce overprint stamps in our upcoming auction. Here are some examples:  |
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POLAND: depicted are the catalogue nos. (according to „Michel“): No. 36, 42 used, postage due no. 6 mint and dito used as well as postage due no. 11 unmounted mint. There were only a couple of hundred copies printed each.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Catalogue nos. 42 b, 51 II on piece (only 76 printed!), 98, 104, 137 used as well as no. 144 mint (only 100 printed). An old customer of ours from the Czech Republic said to us on the occasion of one of his last visits to Hamburg: „We do not have any classic stamps from the 19th century, our classics are the „1919“ overprints!“ We are happy to offer more than 20 selected single lots of these scarce overprint stamps and they all come with certificates of well-known experts.
LITHUANIA: The letter which is shown here bears a so-called „Telsiai“ provisional of 1920. An urgent need for postage stamps was responsible that this provisional came into existence. After the troops of General Bermondt had occupied the region around Telsiai and Krottinga in the beginning of January there was no supply of stamps from the district post office of Kowno and it was an urgent need of postage stamps. The problem was solved in that way that the officials at Telsiai produced their own stamps. The official seal of Telsiai was stamped on a sheet of plain paper and it was reproduced by means of hectography. Only 450 copies (25 sheets of 18 stamps each) were made, among these 54 copies on ruled paper. You can see such a copy on the letter depicted above. After 3 days (Jan 13-15, 1920) nomality came back, stamp supplies came from the administration „above“ and gone was the Telsiai provisional. You may think that the existence of this provisional is owed to philatelists, however, this emergency measure was taken to meet the demand of the public and complete letters survived only in very few numbers.
RUSSIA AND SOVIET UNION
Besides the Baltic States you will find again a comprehensive offer of Russia and of the Soviet Union. The stamps shown here are vertical interpanel stamps of the 1866 issue in unmounted mint condition. They were issued 150 years ago and they are post office fresh as bought from the counter the day before. You really have to be lucky to find these stamps in such a pristine condition.
We are sure that you will like these two covers. Although is was normal postal usage, the country-mixed frankings to Greece are always very attractive and much sought after. Also the colour franking of the 1866 issue including the high 30 Kop. denomination has sort of an eye-appeal due to the outstanding calligraphic „design“ of the address panel.
A good mixture shows our offer of the Soviet Union. The 1930 imperforate Zeppelin set in unmounted mint condition is only one of several interesting lots which cover also the issues of the modern Soviet era.
There are some other areas of EUROPE which are very „strong“ and which could be mentioned. However, we do not want to bother you with endless listings.
Just one item from the Kingdom of Italy: This covers bears the largest strip unit of the 1863 15 c. stamp, a horizontal strip of five plus one single stamp. This is a well-known cover in the philatelic literature with much eye-appeal for every advanced collection of Italy.
OVERSEAS COUNTRIES
Nearly 800 single lots are on offer which is structured by continents. We are going to show you some outstanding items of South America. Firstly, collectors do not focus by far on this area as for example on Asian countries and especially on China, and secondly, because our offer comprises some items which come once in a blue moon.
The letter depicted above bears a 10c. stamp of the Bolivian Condor issue of 1867-68. Condor letters are the best you can expect from Bolivian postal history. The stamps were intended to be used for postage and for fiscal purposes alike. („Correos“ and „Contratos“). However, out of 10 used copies of the Condors most probably 9 are used on documents. The 10c franking shown here covered the postage for a letter from Coro Coro to Cochabamba. There is only a handful of letters known bearing this franking.
Again BOLIVIA: the 500c „Eleven Stars“ is the scarcest stamp of this country, iconic as well in mint as in used condition. The copy shown here bears a 1870 cancellation and comes with a Brian Moorhouse certificate. Besides you see two copies of the 25 Bolivianos stamps of the VENEZUELAN Escuela series. The philatelic literature states that 20.000 copies of this stamp were printed, however, nearly all of them were destroyed as there was simply no need for this high denomination. The catalogue valuation in mint condition is 5000 Euros in the „Michel“ (which adjusts to it`s rarity) but the used copies are undervalued. According to our records there are no more than 30 copies of this stamp in existence and we would not be surprised if the hammer price will meet full catalogue.
The core of our auction offer are 1500 single lots of GERMANY and German areas. German States (250+ lots), German Colonies (220 lots) and Occupation areas of WWII (more than 300 lots) are strong sections. But of course, the so-called „standard“ issues of the German Reich or the the after WWII areas will meet every demand. Where to begin with?
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Let us take as „representative“ this stamp stamp (Mi.No.2) of Kiaochow. A nice copy.
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Something for everybody – as comes our whole auction offer. Enjoy studying the catalogue!
And one more thing: You should come personally to Hamburg and view our phantastic offer of lots and collections. These are 1600 lots in total and included are some substantial consignments coming from private hands. Our offer bears good prospects which will make your trip to Hamburg worthwhile! Our staff will only be too happy to make arrangements for your weekend in the Hanseatic city!
Our catalogue will be online here by the 26th of January. The print version will be mailed from our printers by the 26th of January.