THE SHOCKING TRUTH !!
WAS THAT “SCOFFED OFF” STAMP COLLECTION WORTH $15,000?
WOULD YOU PAY $15,000 FOR IT?
Hello Collectors,
So, to paint this picture a little more clearly, a widow (Joan), who lost her husband three years prior, is trying to sell the husband’s collection. Joan has had no luck in having a dealer (or two) look at the (as determined) “very impressive” holding of scarce upper end stamps.
Needless to say Joan is bitter about the whole aspect of stamps and everything that goes with it.
BULLSHIT! to the old phrase - “it was fun along the way” - comes to MY mind. Maybe, it was “fun” during the collecting years but what about NOW?
So as I continued to review the specialized Canadian collection, my question to Joan was:
“Your husband spent a lot of money buying items for this collection, didn’t he”?
“A lot of money,” Joan nodded and acknowledge
SO NOW WHAT?
THE SOLUTION.
READ ON SLOWLY WITH CAUTION!
This is the approach proposed by MJR to Joan.
- A meaningful down payment to Joan from MJR.
- Obtain expert advice from collectors and dealers of this type of material.
- Acquire certification on key items, if needed.
- Read! Do our own research!
- Search out various auction houses that have the expertise, experience and client base who would have an interest in this philatelic area.
- Once sold, MJR would supplement the amount already provided.
The proposal was agreed to by Joan and the venture went ahead.
As I loaded the last of the boxes (which included albums and stock books) into our truck, I noticed a couple of tears slipping down Joan’s cheek. This was still a VERY DIFFICULT DAY for Joan.
Now to carry on with the story, all the commitments proposed by MJR were completed. From the day MJR obtained the collection and ultimately to the day the collection was delivered to auction - took one year. The auction house broke down the collection with the intent to maximize the prices of the lots.
Before I tell you the amount realized, there are a lot of lessons to be learned here. Rather than go into detail - a simple question, after all is said and done.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR COLLECTION?
Price realized at auction $12,500. After consulting, consignment & auction house fees the widow’s portion was a sizeable amount which was added to the original down payment from MJR.