Welcome Letter
I am very proud to present you with our largest auction yet in terms of the largest number of lots, the most vendors and the highest total estimates.
Our last sale in March delivered 80% of lots sold with 94% of total estimates realised. There were 118 successful postal bidders and a whopping 111 registered bidders in the room. I am encouraged by this as it proves there is something for everyone on every budget and I was determined, when I began Ace, to keep a varied and affordable auction that encouraged wide participation.
This sale continues this aim by offering a strong Australian section capped by the 1913 KGV 1d Engraved First Day Cover and an imperforate pair, a 1941 WWII Harvey POW Camp 11 cover and a striking range of errors and varieties including the recently discovered 2000 Women's Hockey Gold Medallist Team sheetlet with inverted printing. This is only the third sheet discovered and the first with this design. The Australian Collection section should also spark interest to collectors on all levels with good diversity.
The Western Australian section has the 1854 4d swan in the three shades of pale blue, deep blue and the scarce slate-blue. There are also some unusual covers. One vendor has provided a superb selection of Great Britain including a wonderful array of plated Penny Blacks with a gorgeous mint 1840 1d black and 2d blue. Other highlights include a newspaper reporting the Titanic disaster, a JFK mourning card from Jacqueline Kennedy, an unusual US Revenue collection and an attractive array of Cigarette cards. There is also a varied Airmail section with some better signed covers.
As most room bidders know this is the last sale at Legacy House in South Perth, a sad day as we are the last function before the bulldozers move in to make way for a high-rise block of flats. Therefore our sale in November will be at the University of WA Guild Function Centre in Crawley Drive, Nedlands. This is the same location as the annual Swan River Stamp Show (Swanpex).
Due to the expanding number of vendors and material, this will be a two day auction with an West Australian stamp, postal history and postmark 1000 lot sale on Saturday 27th and the usual World and Australian sale on Sunday 28th. Due to the increased size of the venue, there will be viewing for both sales on the Saturday with both auctions commencing at 1pm. Viewing for Sundays sale will continue through Saturday afternoon with the usual viewing on Sunday morning from 10am.
Vendors are encouraged to submit material for these sales but please remember that the minium lot value is $30 with a minimum consignment value of $200. With the continuation of No Buyers Premium, we must have these minimums in place to maintain viability. Perspective vendors can deliver lots to me at the following stamp shows where I will be in attendance;
Rockingham Stamp Fair - Sunday 8th August
Southpex - Sunday 12th September
Swan River Stampshow - Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th October
Alternatively just call me to make arrangements, especially for box lots and larger collections.
Those attending the August auction are encouraged to bring any surplus or unwanted stamps, covers or collections that can be donated to the Western Australian Philatelic Council for Youth Promotion. Yvette Trinidad is the Youth officer who works tirelessly to recruit and support existing young collectors, but stamps are the lifeline to this goal and hence anything you can spare would be very much appreciated. There will be boxes at the entrance to Legacy House for this material so please give this some thought and make a contribution, no matter how small.
In concluding my thanks to all the vendors for their support with the fresh and varied material, John McPhee for his assistance with describing as the printers deadline loomed, Marc for his ongoing improvements to the website, Carol for her help with administration and the staff at Legacy House for helping us to have one more sale at this special venue.
Christine once again has shone and has my usual immense gratitude not only for her assistance with catalogue production but also holding the fort whilst I was attending the London Stamp Show and doing her first stamp fair in May. Needless to say she was overjoyed to hear there would be two auctions in November!
Wishing you all an enjoyable auction experience.
Ian Boulton