Stephen T Taylor

When I started dealing in USA material full-time in January 2000, there was a philatelic auction in London which had a couple of USA “box lots” with short descriptions and low estimates (£200/£300 each)  One was full of “duck stamps” which I wasn’t very interested in and didn’t place a very high bid on but the other box was full of covers and folded letters, exactly what I needed for stock  – very disorganized with a few auction catalogues at the bottom of the box including Harmers New York 12 Jun 1990 “The Hessel Autograph collection of Presidents, Statesmen & Signers”.
I always carefully view large lots as there’s no telling what’s lurking inside and might have been missed by their describers.  This particular lot had numerous common covers worth £10 to £50 each but two caught my eye: one was franked “Free G. Washington” and the other “Free B Franklin”!  Both were ex-Hessel and listed in the auction catalogue that came with the lot.   Fortunately, no one else spotted these and I bought the box at their opening bid, a fraction of my top bid.
 As I didn’t yet have any clients who collected Free Franks, I consigned them to a US auction house where the pair sold for USD19,000 in May 2000.   
As David Phillips taught me when I lived in Miami in the 1990s, always read every letter and look carefully at every marking.
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All About Stamps the online website has announced the launch of a new Collectors Conference from 12th - 14th November 2020.  The three day conference will include expert guides, webinars and offers.

This first conference focused on GB is in partnership with the Great Britain Philatelic Society.  Chris Harman RDP Hon. FRPSL, President of the Great Britain Philatelic Society, said: ‘The GBPS is delighted to be the partner for this exciting new initiative. Interest in GB philately is very high at the moment. With many people spending more time at home, we have all had more time to focus on our hobby and learn more. This series of talks on line provides a great opportunity for everyone to continue to add to their knowledge and encourage both new and established collectors.’

It is completely free to attend, head to www.allaboutstamps.co.uk to find out more.
 

 

Delighted to announce that Virtual Stampex will be available to visit online until the end of December.  This will give you the opportunity to visit the 84 booths, watch the talks and enjoy the Musuem of Philately. 

Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau announces that it will vend Post & Go stamps with the new overprint ‘Virtual Autumn Stampex 2020’, at the forthcoming edition of the expo. The stamps will depict Guernsey’s colourful Bailiwick Fishing Boat designs, which were released in February this year.
 
To mark the launch of the exhibition, the philatelic bureau’s GG02 Envoy House unit will vend the new Stampex overprint from 1-3 October 2020; these will be available to purchase via the website www.guernseystamps.com or direct from the bureau. Pre-orders will be available from 15th September.
 
Bridget Yabsley, head of Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau, explained: - “We are excited to be involved in the world’s first virtual international stamp show, which the Philatelic Traders’ Society has organised in lieu of this year’s event in London. It looks set to be a great event, bringing together everyone from the world of philately.
 
“Guernsey Post is one of over 100 participants involved and will take part in the ‘live’ online event on 1 and 2 October, although our virtual booth will remain open for our customers to visit throughout October.”
 
The stamps: - 
GY Letter – Ceralia, GU29 
The Ceralia, along with numerous other boats, operates out of Bordeaux Harbour, a small, picturesque harbour found in the north east of Guernsey. She is owned by Mike Scrimshaw, for whom fishing has been a big part of his life, including working full-time as a fisherman. 
 
GY Large Letter – Odilia, GU388. 
The Odilia, which is owned by Paul Arnold who has been fishing for over 30 years, moors and operates from Grande Havre, a natural harbour with stunning beaches including Les Amarreurs. 
 
UK Letter – Little Sister GU138. 
Little Sister is a small fishing boat, which moors in the inner area of Les Amarreurs Bay. Bass, plaice, bream, mullet and more are readily available in the waters accessed from this large inlet.  She is owned by John Niles, who became involved through his family and says that the best part of fishing in Bailiwick waters is the magnificent views from the boat.
 
UK Large Letter – Amber Dawn, GU98. 
Owned by fisherman Damien Albin, Amber Dawn moors in Perelle Bay in St Saviour on the West coast of Guernsey. This part of Guernsey’s southwest coastline provides excellent fishing waters with its deep-water gullies and reefs.
 
EURO Letter – Sandra J, GU301. 
A fisherman all of his life, Sandra J’s owner, Adrian Brache, has also fished commercially for the past 15 years. His is one of many fishing vessels that operate from St Peter Port harbour and the Fish Quay. 
 
ROW Letter – Carina, GU113. 
The Carina also operates out of St Peter Port in Guernsey. She is owned by fisherman Jordan De Carteret, who changed his career so that he could enjoy the sea and beautiful coastlines. Along with his dog Biff, Jordan heads to the waters around the tiny but beautiful island of Sark in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, where he fishes for lobster.