Editor’s Note
The new philatelic season opened with varied results across four major sales, though 19th-century “classic” stamps consistently commanded the highest prices, including one record-breaking lot.
Four stamp sales marked the start of the season with mixed fortunes, with “classic” stamps issued in the 19th century fetching the highest bids.
A record price of €220,000 was achieved for a magnificent vertical tête-bêche pair of the 1854 Second Empire 80 centimes carmine stamp (featuring the effigy of Napoleon III), imperforate, described by the seller as the
. The Roumet sale, which concluded on September 30, did not disappoint, as evidenced also by the bright vermilion 1 franc stamp, with an opening price of €50,000, which was hammered down at €53,027.
Subsequently, French “classics” recorded €20,000 for a tête-bêche pair of the 1849 10 centimes bistre “Cérès” stamp, of which only seven copies are known.