An Unissued 1998 Variety

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Today, it is a first on two points.

I introduce in the Stamps group the auction house Heritage, of Dallas, which we already know in many other specialties. Indeed, Heritage has announced its come back to the philatelic market, after fifteen years of absence.

It should be seen as a direct consequence of the economic issues, which lead the biggest auction groups to reconsider all themes of collection. We will see other examples in the coming weeks.

The second point is the contemporary philately, an area that I had not yet the opportunity to address.

The subject of this discussion is a block of 20 stamps, in 4 rows of 5 stamps. They are in mint condition, and the block had never been hinged. The variety known as Yellow Hat in 1998 should have been issued by the United States in January 1999 for a new rate of circulating the postcards. It was not.

This block is possibly unique in such a condition. The design of the stamp is ugly: the hat of Uncle Sam, on a yellow background. The price of the lot will be totally uncorrelated to any aesthetic, historical or cultural concept. Will only remain its exceptional condition. Is it worth $ 150 K? Answer after the sale, which will take place on February 6.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

I had no benchmark in contemporary stamp. Now I have one: at $ 100 K, no one wanted.

My cultural trend makes me accept this result with some satisfaction. Why spend such a price in an item which has, recognize it, no history?