A lesson for dealers

Today while going through recently purchased auctions lots, there was one which was quite instructive to dealers.

I bid on one lot after valuing it at $800 and was successful at $750. The quality and value are certainly OK and the price was fair.

After checking our books I realized that this lot added nothing to what we are currently offering our retail customers. When I placed the stamps into our back-up inventory it is apparent that for most values we already had more in back-up than were offered in this lot.

Buying this lot was a mistake because $825 (hammer plus 10 percent) of our capital will be tied up for years. Fortunately, there were many other lots from the auction which have new inventory to delight and tempt our customers.




Later in the day a pleasant surprise was this rather ordinary looking Newfoundland stamp. It is printed on thick carton -type paper. I have encountered this thick paper on other values of Newfoundland stamps but it is indeed rare. This variety is unlisted, although it is a scarcer perforation 13.5 x 13.8 which is listed but unpriced in the Newfoundland Specialized Catalogue (#158iii). Our price is $50. (Inv #6m83)