JULY 2010

We have had summer weather here since late May. We have also have had plenty of rain so extra time has to be spent in the yard! I admit to less and less enthusiasm in maintaining that perfect lawn! I enjoy the small vegetable patch I have and plant flowers for the spouse, but that uses up my enthusiasm for outside chores!

This month we completed our German States Part II price list. Actually we also finished our private post list except that we have not yet done all the typing! Converting to our new format for our price lists requires that the lists be retyped from scratch as opposed to adding and deleting to our previous list. Believe me - that is a lot more work! Another 6 - 8 months and we will be just about complete with the conversion then maintaining our lists will be much easier.

Next month we will finish the private post list and also our Post WWII locals and Soviet Zone list.

Please take an extra 5% discount on orders posted during July. Remember that you have to ask for the discount to get it!

We are actively adding images to our stamps for sale listings on our site. We are starting with the most expensive items first. If you are considering a higher priced item,check our site for a picture!

ANK ÖSTERREICH SPEZIAL-KATALOG 2010/2011

The Austria Netto Catalog has just been released. There are quite a few price increases spread throughout the catalog but almost all are minor - in the 5% range.

Many of the early issues show price increases - mostly among mint issues.

10Ia * from 3150 Euro to 3300 Euro

11 Ib* from 5000 Euro to 6000 Euro

63-8* from 90 Euro to 110 Euro

208-11** 80 Euro to 110 Euro

208-11U 110 Euro to 178 Euro

There are very few price changes from 1920 - 1945

There are also very few price changes after WWII. There are a few increases in NH and U categories here and there.

Block 15 ** 28 Euro to 38 Euro

Block 15 U 22 euro to 38 Euro

Many postage dues sets show significant increases.

P10-21** 250 Euro to 300Euro

P10-21 U 55 Euro to 75 Euro

P34-44** 430 Euro to 475 Euro

Quite a few of the Feldpost sets show increases.

Italy 1-19** 35 euro to 45 Euro

1-19 * 10 Euro to 15 Euro

1-19 U 25 Euro to 40 Euro

24-25** 50 Euro to 150 Euro

24-5* 15 Euro to 20 Euro

24-5U 50 Euro to 80 Euro

HR Harmer's June Auction Results

In recent months I have grown used to a gradual decline in auction results as many buyers have begun to watch their bidding more closely in current economic times. As Harmer's always has good collections in their auctions I monitored the auction on line. Live internet bidding is the next best thing to being at the auction! The only complaint I would have is that online and telephone bidders greatly slow down the auction process

The big surprise to me was the lively bidding. I started by watching the bidding on German area singles and sets lots - every lot received bids from the floor and/or internet. Many sold well above the estimates and some sold for over double the estimate.

A complete sheet of Offices in Turkey #45 estimated at $400-$500 sold at $1400. A selection of 5 DM German states lot estimated at $200-$300 brought $700.

The collection lots also did very well but most hammered within the estimate range. Naturally all of the lots I was interested in sold at the high end of the estimate range!

Looking back at the auction results I saw only four German area lots that did not sell at all. Overall, the auction should have satisfied both buyers and sellers alike!

SCOTT 2010  VOLUME 3
Last year I complained that there were few price changes of any kind in the Germany section of the new Scott catalog. This year there are even fewer price changes! Overall 99.99% of Germany prices remain unchanged. Very careful checking revealed a few increases almost all so small that one wonders why they bothered. I actually found price changes on some $30+ sets of 25 cents and 50 cents!

It should be noted that the new Scott catalog shows none of the significant price decreases shown by Michel for 1946-1955 issues of the Bund, Berlin and DDR. It may take another year or two for Scott to notice!

If you have a 2007 or later Scott Volume 3, I would suggest you wait another year before investing in a new version.