Auction No 145 - Prestige Philately

Jun 13, 2009
Prestige Philately - Auction No 145 Page: 3
Prestige Points #145
Seventh International Rarities Auction
Gary Watson
Director and Auctioneer
General Manager:
Daniel Brown
Email: daniel@prestigephilately.com
Accounts:
Bev Woods
Email: accounts@prestigephilately.com
Despatch and Client Liaison:
Nick Anning
Email: nick@prestigephilately.com
Lotting and Client Liaison:
Matt Hancock
Email: matt@prestigephilately.com
Client Support:
Kim Campbell
Email: support@prestigephilately.com
Our Sydney Agent:
Kevin Nelson
Phone: (0402) 224 400
Email: kevin@prestigephilately.com
Our Perth Agent:
Ross Duberal
Phone: (08) 9341 3576
Email: ross@prestigephilately.com
Our British Agents:
Roger Lee
Phone/Fax (01869) 240 555
Email: roger@prestigephilately.com
Patrick Reid
Phone (01344) 300 309
Email: patrick@prestigephilately.com
1. All of us at Prestige Philately are proud to present to you the catalogue for our
Seventh International Rarities Auction. In keeping with our previous Rarities Auction
catalogues, no expense has been spared in presenting philately as art. Virtually all
of the lots are illustrated - many enlarged up to four times actual size, or even bigger.
Many secondary images have also been included: enlargements of varieties, central
designs etc. Where it makes sense to do so, we have presented extracts, rather than
entire items. We’re sure you will agree that this makes the catalogue even more userfriendly
and a more valuable reference work.
2. I’ve made the point before that all our Rarities Auctions have been characterized by
being completely different from one another. On this occasion, because we are
offering Bernie Manning’s Queensland as a stand-alone sale (see the next page), it
is a relatively small auction. However, we are again pleased to bring you an
exceptional array of stamps, covers, postal stationery and other material, with
estimates from $100 (not all elusive material is expensive) up to $15,000 thus offering
something for most budgets.
As with Rarities #6, this auction is remarkable for the balance achieved between
Australian Commonwealth (94 lots), the Australian Colonies (80 lots), and the Rest of
the World section (62 lots).
3. From Australia, we have a fine selection of Kangaroos, most of which are
unmounted mint, plus a good range of KGV material. And, courtesy of George Lang
from Western Australia, we are presenting the most important group of Australian First
Day Covers ever to appear at auction.
The Australian Colonies section includes many wonderful multiples and proofs, plus
an appealing selection of Victoria’s first stamps, the “Half-Lengths”. For those who
prefer a more modern flavour, the Western Australia Group Settlement datestamps
may entice you.
From overseas we have some splendid Classics, including mint and used Plate 11
“Penny Blacks”, the first we have ever offered. And don’t miss the wonderful 14-
page letter from a naval officer at Gallipoli: Lot 206. Collectors of Australian issues
should also pay attention to the archive of material relating to the 1958 joint issue with
New Zealand celebrating the 50 th Anniversary of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s first
Trans-Tasman flight: Lots 217 to 223. We even have an exciting new discovery from
Papua.
4. If you have been following the market in recent times, you will have noted that
philatelic auctions are doing very well. Our general sale in April had a solid clearance
of 87% of the lots, but the realisations exceeded 110% of the total estimates. Our
“Ello” New Guinea auction in March did even better with every lot selling. And the
same 100% sellout was achieved for our Bushfires Relief Charity Auction: our
appreciation to everyone who helped us to donate $122,000 to the Red Cross.
The bottom line is that while the financial markets are in recovery mode, while shares
and property are under pressure, and while interest on bank deposits is close to zero,
many stamp collectors are happy to put more of their resources into their collections.
And why not?
We are pleased to again give you the opportunity to buy items of beauty that will
provide great enjoyment for many years to come.
Our American Agent:
Steve Schumann
Cell Ph: (510) 415 6158
Email: steve@prestigephilately.com