AUCTION RESULTS

I watch auction results in both European and US auctions closely – looking for new material and assessing market trends. (I must admit that I ignore auction results for the US area as I do not buy or sell anything US except stamps for postage.) Overall auctions in both Europe and the US have had superb results during the past three or four years. Collections have been selling at a very high percentage of offered lots and selling at higher prices than in recent years.

In general buyers frequently pass on certain types of lots. Collections of low to medium priced covers and cards either are often passed over or sold at or below the starting prices. Collections with mostly common stamps and collections from obscure countries also do poorly.

Auction houses who offer only above average material get the highest prices for lots sold. Most of the collection lots have images of the better stamps making it easy for buyers to evaluate. Their start bids are usually low and estimates very conservative. These auction houses get more bids and their lots sell for higher prices. Collectors will pay for quality stamps.

Overall though collection lots sell at a higher rate than individual items and at higher prices. This trend has appeared in the past five years and seems to grow stronger each year.

MICHEL GERMANY SPECIALIZED CATALOGS 2026

Michel has changed from a two volume set of Germany specialized catalogs to a three volume set. Volume one remains essentially unchanged with the same format and same covered stamps. Volume 2 is now broken into two separate volumes. Volume 2 lists the Soviet zone post WWII local issues, the post WWII occupation issues and DDR and Berlin issues. (Other than format revision the actual listings reflect few changes including few price changes. Vol 3 covers Bundesrepublic issues with more previously unlisted areas such as black prints and varieties

Overall I find few significant changes in listings and prices from recent issues. The most noticeable change is that it costs substantially more for the same coverage as received in previously year issues.

I order my catalogs at shop.briefmarken.de (Schwaneberger) – you can order online and the site can be viewed in English. Vol 1 is priced at 91.70 Euro, Vol 2 and 3 at 73.83 Euro each. Postage for each volume is 41.18 Euro.

Our Printed Price Lists

It has been three years since we stopped mailing our printed price lists monthly to our customers Sadly we have lost a few customers who order through mail only. We still maintain price lists for all areas we stock but update them far less often.

In an attempt to accommodate our by mail customers we will periodically revise our price lists but will include far fewer Michel listed varieties and reflect mostly Scott listed items. Most of our varieties are now listed on our web site. This change will permit us to keep our mailing lists more up to date if not quite as comprehensive as we would like.