Postal Auction No. 54
This auction CLOSED on Thursday 31st July 2008. For prices realised click "Last Auction Prices" link at left.

This postal auction catalogue can be viewed on the screen, or you can print out the large PDF file. If you prefer to have the whole catalogue, email your address to ashford@stampsale.com and we will send you a catalogue by airmail. Estimated prices are in New Zealand dollars. Approximate exchange rates are NZ$1 = US$0.77 = 0.49Euro = 0.39 British pounds = $0.80 Australian. Check the clock (above) for the current time and date in New Zealand. Email us any questions you have. We can send scans of some lots if required. See "Conditions of Sale" below for more information about bidding.

AUCTION CATALOGUE
View all catalogue text (944kb PDF file)

AUCTION PHOTOS
Once the photo has loaded into your browser, try clicking on it to get a larger image.
Photo (front cover) lots 61, 162, 1161, 1167, 1184, 1222, 1272, 1359, 2239 (stamps)
Photo lots 52-440 (world stamps)
Photo lots 441-1177 (world stamps, New Zealand errors)
Photo lots 1180-1299 (NZ errors, Chalons, Sidefaces)
Photo lots 1278-1349 (NZ Sidefaces to 1898 Pictorials)
Photo lots 1350-2012 (NZ 1898 Pictorials to Health)
Photo lots 2011-2328 (NZ Health, Back-of-the-Book)
Photo lots 2258-2332 (NZ postal history)
Photo lots 1037-1061 (world postal history)
Photo lots 1060-1088 (world postal history)
Photo lots 1089-1112 (world postal history)
Photo lots 1113-1137 (world postal history)
Photo lots 1138-2035 (world postal history, NZ covers)
Photo lots 2036-2276 (NZ covers, Cinderellas)
Photo lots 2277-2335 (NZ postal history)
Photo lots 1175-2237 (NZ blocks, 1/2d Mt Cook etc.)

Click here for printable bid form (203kb PDF file)
Click here for an online bid form »

CONDITIONS OF SALE:

1. HOW TO BID. This postal bid sale is very similar to a normal auction that you would attend in person. The main difference is that all bids are sent to us any time before 6pm on the closing date, and the sale results are concluded in our office. On the bid form write the lot number of each item you are interested in, and the highest price you are prepared to pay for each lot. A bid is successful if it is the highest bid received on the lot, subject to any reserve price set by the vendor. If the successful purchaser bids higher than the estimated price, the final purchase price will often be less that the bid price. Lots are sold at approximately 10% above the next highest bid. (This is NOT a 'tender' sale where the price offered is always the price paid.)

2. ESTIMATES. The estimate price against each lot is a price that we consider to be a reasonable value of the lot in the current market conditions. Bidders may bid above, below or at the estimate. There is no buyer's premium. Estimates are in New Zealand dollars.

3. RESERVES. Most lots have reserve prices set by the vendors. We cannot sell at below these reserve prices. Most reserves are between 75% and 100% of the estimate. Bids below 75% of the estimate are normally unsuccessful.

4. INCREASE BIDS BY... There is a space on the bid form where you can add a percentage increase to your bids if there is heavy bidding in the sale. This facility exists because sometimes bidders are disappointed when they miss out by only a few dollars. A bid of $100+20% is treated the same as a bid of $120. Bids below the estimate will have the percentage added if it is necessary to reach the reserve price.

5. LIMIT OF PURCHASE. You can control your total auction purchases by writing a 'limit of purchase' figure on the bid form. This allows you to bid on as many lots as you wish, but still control how much you purchase. Once this limit is reached, further bids are cancelled. The limit would include any percentage increase you wish to make - it is a total spending limit.

6. 'BUY' BIDS. If there are any lots that you are particularly keen to purchase, we can accept 'buy' bids. Remember that popular lots can sell for several times the estimated price. If you will not be happy purchasing at several times the estimate, then it is better to place a normal dollar value bid. If several 'buy' bids are received on any lot, the Sale Manager has absolute discretion and his decision is final.

7. LATE BIDS. Yes, if your bids are received by us after the closing date, you will miss out! Always allow enough time for the mail to reach us. Alternatively phone, fax or e-mail your bids. If two bids are tied, the first one received is successful.

8. BIDS BY TELEPHONE OR FAX. You are welcome to bid by telephone or fax. It we are out of the office or on another call when you phone, leave a message including your bids and other necessary details. The Telecom answering service will take your message 24 hours a day. The fax also functions 24 hours. Telephone bids must be confirmed in writing.

9. BIDS BY E-MAIL. You can send bids by e-mail, provided that all necessary information is included. If you intend to pay by credit card, please provide the c ard number, expiry date and 3 digit CVC number (on the back) with your bids. Bidders who do not give these details before the auction will require correspondence afterwards and are processed last. New bidders should send their credit card details, address where credit card statements are posted, and authorisation signature by mail or fax.

10. DESCRIPTIONS. Each lot in this postal bid sale has a description that we consider is fair and accurate. Every collector has slightly different ideas on what represents 'average' or 'fine' condition, especially in relation to other stamps in his collection. Centring, gum and perforations can vary considerably in early issues. Our descriptions are based on years of international experience, and should prove reliable. Sometimes a catalogue reference number, perforation gauge or watermark is quoted even on a simplified stamp at a basic price.

11. VIEWING. Colour scans can be sent to your e-mail address or postal address for reasonable requests. Clients are welcome to view any lots at our office prior to the closing date. Please telephone in advance so that a suitable time can be arranged.

12. RETURN OF LOTS. If a lot is found to be incorrectly described, it may be returned if the return is made within 3 days of receipt. With the volume of material handled, occasionally a small fault may be overlooked and the lot may be returned because of this. Collections and mixed lots are often in mixed condition and may not be returned because of this. Under 1% of lots sold are returned.

13. WITHDRAWN LOTS AND ACCEPTANCE OF BIDS.
Although rarely necessary, we reserve the right to withdraw any lot without explanation or notification, and we reserve the right to reject any bid without explanation or notification.

14. PAYMENT. Accounts must be paid within 7 days of receipt, unless already paid by credit card. Payment may be made by Mastercard or Visa as well as personal cheque, bank cheque or cash. Overseas clients please note that if you pay by cheque, the currency of the cheque should match the country of the account, such as US$ drawn on a New York bank. Our bank will not accept, for example, a personal cheque in NZS drawn on a USA bank. Note that overseas cheques can take several weeks to clear and clients without a significant purchase record may experience this delay before receiving the goods. Alternatively, ask your bank for a bank draft in NZ dollars. Payment by Mastercard or Visa is usually the easiest method for overseas clients. Sorry, we cannot accept Bankcard, Diners or American Express.

15. POSTING OF LOTS. Apart from postage and handling, there is a small additional charge for insurance of sendings to most countries. Sorry, we do not take responsibility for items that go missing to or from South America.

16. GOOD & SERVICES TAX. GST is not charged to the buyer. It is charged to the vendor in the commission. There is no buyer's premium.