The David Feldman SA Autumn Auction series went ahead successfully during the week 5th-9th December 2022 in Geneva, producing extremely strong results with over 3000 lots sold. The auction attracted 1144 bidders from around the world, with participants in the room, on the telephones, as well as online competing for material across the seven catalogues. One of our top performing areas was the Collections offering which sold 77% of lots, realising 157% of the price estimates, closely followed by the India States Dan Walker collection of Bundi where we sold over 74% of the catalogue and achieved 170% of the anticipated prices. Also particularly exciting was the bidding surrounding The ‘Art of Sperati’ Collection where 70% of the lots sold for 131% of the starting prices, and our France and Colonies catalogue achieved prices in excess of 160% selling just under 70% of lots on offer. The Hausman Collection also illustrated that the stamp market remains healthy, resulting in 65% of items selling for 148% of their estimates.
Lot 60601 – sold for €51’240
THE UNIQUE 4 CENTS BLACK ON BLUE COVER
Lot 70875 – sold for £145’400
During the week long auction in Switzerland several world rarities went under the hammer resulting in very encouraging prices, including the famous 1856 British Guiana “Hope” cover which realised £145’400, and within the same section of our GB and Empire catalogue the rarest unused stamp of the British Empire the unique Cotton Reel 8c sold for £84’400, and from the Hausman collection the iconic USA 1901 2c Pan-American inverted centre realised €51’240. Just as eye catching from the Sperati catalogue was the Mauritius 1848 “Post Office” 1d and 2d selection which realised €54’900 with the “Post Paid” lot making €36’600. Amongst the standout lots from the Collections catalogue were a series of UPU archives presented in six lots which achieved €253’000, also an 1929-1971 Old-time collection which sold for €128’100 from an upper estimate of €85’000 and in the same section a superb China 1866-1949 mint and used collection in five Lighthouse stockbooks which realised €67’100 from a lower estimate of €25’000.
The unique unused “Cotton Reel” 8 cents
The Rarest unused stamp of the British Empire
Lot 70863 – sold for £84’400
Lot 10212 – sold for £30’500
China- 1897 Red Revenue 3c crimson-red – One of the great rarities of China and an Asian showpiece
Lot 30355 – sold for €85’400
As mentioned above the India States catalogue performed very well and there were several standout lots including the unused 1894 1/2a slate-grey on laid paper which sold for a magnificent £36’600 from an estimate of £12’000, similarly a used example realised £13’420 off an estimate of £2’000, and the same issue used on a cover showing the variety “Last two letters of value below the rest” realised £41’480 having started at £10’000.
Lot 20094 – sold for €17’080
Lot 50078 – sold for €54’900
In the France and Colonies offering one of the great raroties of the Colonies an 1893 Duval tax 1 centimes black overprinted “Tahiti / 1893 / TAHITI” realised €7’320, well above its €5’000 estimate, and a 1849 cover franked with a fine Cérès 1 franc bright vermilion achieved €9’760 from a €6’000 start.
The Egypt Chalhoub Part VII also produced strong results, a particular lot which realised more than twice its estimate was a unique Second and Third Issue Combination cover selling for €17’080 and a 10pa on 2 1/2pi violet mint complete sheet of 200 sold for €8’540 which was over its estimate.
1893, Taxe Duval 1 centimes –
Lot 31307 – sold for €7’320
A great rarity of China, a mint 1897 Red Revenue 3c crimson-red with surcharge omitted, which featured within our Overseas catalogue, sold for a staggering €85’400, and a Tuscany mint 1860 3L ocher-grey, known to be an “Aristocrat” of Philately went for €34’160. In the Great Britain section an magnificent mint 1867-83 5s pale rose plate 2 complete pane of twenty sold for £30’500, and a 1840 Houses of Parliament 2d black envelope reach an amazing £10’980 from a top estimate of £8’000, both these results being exceptional given what similar items have achieved at auctions held in the UK in recent months. These are just a snapshot of the excellent results and further details of the prices realised can be found online. David Feldman would like to thank all vendors and bidders for their support and for making this a extremely successful auction series.
Lastly, there is still an opportunity to buy unsold material until Sunday 18th of December by visiting our website and clicking on submit a bid, and please remember we are now taking consignments for our Spring 2023 auction, so do get in touch with us if you are considering selling, or wish to sell any of your treasures.
Note: Realised prices include the buyers premium of 22%.