Recent & Forthcoming auctions with Russia content:

Raritan stamps inc. March 12th 2001

Another feast for the Russia specialist from Raritan who, in their March 12th sale had some 1500 lots of Russian material. This particular sale had strength in the RSFSR and early Soviet material with sizeable coverage of Russo-Japanese war cards, First World War and Imperial items. All periods were represented including the modern RF issues. There were a number of interesting little gems tucked away and I await the realisation list to report more fully on these, preferring to concentrate this week on two more forthcoming auctions. Estimates from Raritan are around the market value although tending to be a little high on some of the moderns. If you missed this auction make sure you get the next catalogue, they are a pleasure to read, full of information and you will be spoilt for choice on where to place your bids.

Raritan Stamps Inc. PO box 1539, Highland Park, NJ 08904, USA. E mail: info@raritanstamps.com  Web site http://www.raritanstamps.com/ 

Results

This week saw the arrival of the prices realised from Raritans last auction and the results seem to indicate a steady interest in good Russian material. This may not sound too good at first glance but is more beneficial to the hobby than the boom and bust that typified philately in the 1970's.

Closer examination of the prices realised also gives some clues as to where the current interest (or bargains) are seen to be lurking. Obviously bidding reflects quality of lots but it is fair to say that Raritans offerings are of a good standard in all areas, which makes an analysis easier.

The Imperial section was slow to moderate in the realisations with a few choice items attracting bids at or just over estimate but quite a number going at around the 80% mark or remaining unsold. Notable exceptions, as always, were attractive covers or illustrated cards with good visual appeal.

The RSFSR section saw things hotting up with most lots seeming to find a buyer and achieving estimate. The bidding here would appear to indicate growing interest in a hitherto neglected field and is from my perspective a good thing. This interest continued into the early Soviet period with errors and varieties doing quite well and outperforming estimates - in one or two cases quite substantially.

Of especial note was a cover bearing early Soviet charity labels which came in at $425 against an estimate of $100. This continues the trend seen at the last society auction and since, Russian fiscals, charities and Cinderellas appear to be attracting ever more collectors and the prices are beginning to reflect this.

Other strong items in this section were definitive errors and varieties and perforation varieties with the Esperanto perf 11.5 marginals coming in at $2,400 against an estimate of $2,200. And lower down the scale the 1951 anniversary of the Revolution set in unmounted blocks of four making $110 against an estimate of $60.

Surprisingly the moderns section did reasonably well with a selection of lots from the 1980s all seeming to sell well if not expensively.

Air stamps, as always, did pretty well with the 1923 Fokker 5R green wide 5 variety (without overprint) making $6,000 against estimate of $4,000. Before you all rush to your collections to check them out I should point out that only two sheets (50 stamps) are known.

Some respectable prices for the 1927 air post congress were also registered with varieties going at around $350-375 against estimates of $100.

Postal stationery and the Offices in China and Turkey fared less well with a lot of unsolds and not much action. The civil war section saw steady interest, particularly in the South Russia issues.

Then it was the turn of the Zemstvo stamps and one has to say it was something of an anti-climax. Whilst sales were steady these were at or, in most cases below estimate. Whether this means a peak has been reached in Zemstvo prices or simply that the collectors wallets are still reeling from the Faberge sales it is too early to tell.

Ukraine was pretty quiet with around 40% of lots selling at or around estimate.

Finally there were some Russian lots in the Postcards and autograph sections and these fared better.

A collection of 62 Postcards showing the Russian fleet of 1904-5 went for $400 against an estimate of $300 and there was steady interest in autographs with cosmonauts being the most popular - especially items connected with Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereschkova (just in case you have forgotten - the first man and woman in space respectively).

There was slightly less interest in the political autographs this time round - possibly because they were, on the whole, lesser known individuals unless you happen to study Soviet history, (having held back this time I wish I had bid on a few more).

A real surprise in this section was that the Dzerzhinsky autograph did not sell - perhaps a better illustration ( the whole document could not be seen) or a somewhat lower price tag is in order. Still an interesting section and a welcome addition.

© 2001 the BSRP