STAMPBOARDS - Postage Stamp Chat Board and Stamp Forum

David Benson wrote:
Not really interested in anything else Tongan but have kept the inverted centre block of 4 and a couple of singles in case they are needed for exchange purposes.

Were these 6 Tonga Inverted Centre stamps the ones sold in recent times David, as it seems likely?

If so this one on the weekend must have made you pleased!

$65,000 plus 16.5% for the block is quite amazing on a fullish looking $25,000 estimate. Thinned and off centre too.

Truly amazing realization on this block.

Beyond your wildest dreams, David?

$A75,725 invoice is astounding given the small faults, centering, and SG of 'only' £24,000.

The 2 singles went in a recent sale for $6325 and $A8625 each, invoice.

The $A75,725 is assuming the block stays here .. do you know it it is, or is exported David?

Glen

David - do you recall the sale price at Threlford in 1975?

I remember selling one for about $1500 that I always regarded as way too low!

I *think* I got it cheaply at Philas in that late 70s or early 80s era?

The answer to all questions is yes and I already sent Gary an email thanking him immensely.

I expected about 1/2 and it was fun listening to the auction.

I spoke to Gary and as you may know the top postal bidding was $21 and then there were 3 phone bids, as far as I know all from overseas. One dropped out at $32 and the others fought until the result. Gary did a magnificent job. Luckily there were 2 as it would then sold for half of the amount.

Technically I didn't buy it at the Sir Lacon Threlford sale as I was the underbidder, it went for 2000 Pounds and I had already bought almost all of the major items of the earlier period.

It was bought by a dealer, I forget his name, Col. Taylor or something like that.

I spoke to him the next day and asked if it was for sale or for a customer, he said it was for sale and if I wanted it for 10% extra which I agreed to.

To put it mildly, the price was truly amazing, it is unique,

David B.

May as well add, I was worried about the sellability of it at this time because of the high $A and the bidders would probably be British or American,

David B.

David. Great result.

You must be very pleased. Your Tonga Exhibit will be a bit thinner now!!

Martyn

Great result David ... for both you and Prestige.

I doubt any other auction globally would be seeing it invoiced at ~$US75,000.

Thank you for your generous offer to bring the case of Moet to the stampboards dinner next Sunday.

I asked Dan and Leo at Prestige if their combined tech expertise might be able to give us a link to click on, to hear the audio of the bidding war of that lot being sold -- will be fascinating listening for many I am sure, if they can assist!

I'll do a piece for Linns on this one.

Glen

Martyn

re.

David. Great result.

You must be very pleased. Your Tonga Exhibit will be a bit thinner now!

!

It wasn't part of my exhibit, I only collect the NZ produced stamps up to 1895 (also the 1899 TL overprint as that was produced in Tonga & New Zealand), I gave up on the 1897's in the early 1980's,

David B.

David .... Gary tells me unknown to him when he spoke to you, his wife was dealing with a 3rd phone bidder up to $44,000.

He confirms that the block went overseas so no GST on the hammer plus and Buyer Fee, so invoice was $A74,750, plus shipping.


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Note, I told DB that the first phone bidder dropped out in the low 30s. However, Lakshini was handling that client & said he went to $44,000.

All three phone bidders are from overseas (3 diff countries). Of course, I can't tell you who bought it, or even where he's from. But at least you know it was a guy!

Cheers
Gary

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The undoubted highlight of the auction was a whopping $74,750 paid for David Benson's unique block of 4 "Inverted Heads" from Tonga. While the estimate of $25,000 was conservative, nobody expected the sale price to be so high. This famous item opened on the book at $21,000 but three phonebidders piled on the pressure.

The auctioneer went up in $1000 increments to $40,000 and then bids of $2000 from that point. The first to fall, an American client, dropped out at $44,000. At $50,000 there were audible gasps in the room. When the hammer dropped at $65,000 spontaneous applause broke out.

Stunning result David!

I must admit, when I saw this in the catalogue, I thought you would be the purchaser not the vendor!

admin wrote:
I asked Dan and Leo at Prestige if their combined tech expertise might be able to give us a link to click on, to hear the audio of the bidding war of that lot being sold -- will be fascinating listening for many I am sure, if they can assist!

Glen

Well, better late than never .. Leo sent me this link just now -- a little cumbersome to access it, but it DOES work ... well worth a listen for all members!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DWEPY10R

Glen

re.

" will be fascinating listening for many I am sure "

It was for me,

David B.

For a unique piece it deserves such a realization. 8) As MrBoggler I believe it is often says, "show me another" .

Any inverted centre has eye appeal, this is a real showpiece. Maybe the buyer will "pull a Bill Gross" and trade the block for the 1 remaining stamp they need to complete a collection.

Came across this thread link when looking for something else here -

http://www.glenstephens.com/snaugust11.html

A great story, that bears being bumped.

Glen

I have been told that the top two bidders were collectors of inverted centers,

David B.