Canadian Stamp Auctions

Stamp Market Commentary

The 2008 Scott catalogue, Volume 2, made its appearance in Canada in mid-June. The cost was $95 Cdn., up from $88 the year before. It was available from Amos, the US publisher, by internet as early as mid-May, so it seems the delivery to Canada was a bit delayed this year. Here are four clear winners in this year’s catalogue:

The price changes this year were mostly increases, though there were some major differences from last year. First, there were noticeable increases in Canada’s earliest stamps, Scott 1 to 13, but primarily for the mint copies that few of us get to see. Second, while increases were found in all the early sets up to the Admirals, very few are seen after that.  By contrast, last year saw increases across the board. Third, there were few increases amongst Canada’s imperforates and modern varieties. Fourth, there were some price reductions amongst the modern dollar stamps (Scott to 272, 302, 321, 411 and 465B) and, surprisingly, amongst some of the modern perforation varieties. Finally, we could find only two new varieties in this year’s catalogue, Scott 1164e and 2005a.

Here’s a quick overview of the pricing changes:

Early Canada ( Scott 1-13)

A number of significant changes, mostly for mint copies. See Scott 1, 2, 10, 12 and 13. Contrast this with last year’s changes which were mostly for used copies. Scott 5a mint jumped from $12,500 to $17,500.

Cents issue ( Scott 14-20)

Many changes for both mint and used stamps. Scott 20 increased from $450 to $600.

Large Queens ( Scott 21-33)

There were many increases, some quite noticeable, but mostly for used. Standing out were the price hikes for the 15¢ stamp with script watermark and the 1¢ and 3¢ stamps printed on laid paper. Scott 21 jumped from $80 to $100, Scott 25 from $1,000 to $1,500 and Scott 31 from $12,500 to $18,500.

Small Queens ( Scott 34-47)

Unlike last year, there were few increases. Two exceptions were Scott 38 mint, which moved from $500 to $725 and Scott 39 mint which moved from $400 to $550.

Jubilees ( Scott 50–65)

The only increases in the set were the 20¢ and 50¢ stamps.

Maple Leafs ( Scott 66-73)

The set increased by 10%

Numerals ( Scott 74-84)

The set increased in value by 10%.

Edward VII ( Scott 89-95)

The set increased in value by 20%, this is on top of a 21% increase last year. This set is in great demand.

Quebec Tercentenary ( Scott 96-103)

The set increased by 13%, the same as last year

Admirals ( Scott 104-134)

The set increased by 7%, led by the low values and booklets. There were no increases for the high flying imperforates.

Scroll (Scott 149-161)

The set had only minor increases this year.

Arch (Scott 162-177)

The set had no increases this year.

Pictorials (Scott 241-245)

Ditto, no increases

War Set (Scott 249-262)

Ditto, no increases, except for the coils.

Modern (Scott 268 -2144)

1940s – a few minor changes

1950s – a few minor changes

1960s – no changes

1970s – no changes

1980s – no increases other than Scott 918b.

1990s – Scott 1363b, 1364a and 1374c.

2000s - Scott I972, 2045-28a, 2087 and 2110

Back of the Book

Airmail: only C2 advanced

Special Delivery: all prices advanced modestly

Registered Stamps: prices advanced for Scott F1a, F1b, F1d and F2c

Postage Due: most prices advanced. Scott J5 increased from $80 to $130.

War Tax: prices up sharply again this year. Scott MR3 increased from $40 to $70.

Stamp prices in general

We think Scott is judging the market fairly well. There has been great demand for Canada’s early stamps and continued strong demand for the hot sets from the Small Queens to the Admirals. We were a bit surprised there were no increases for the Scroll or Arch sets as they seem to be doing increasingly well at auction.

As for our modern stamps, i.e. those issued after 1930, there is only moderate demand but lots of supply, judging from the regular appearance of modern varieties at Canadian auctions. So, lots of stamps available and only moderate demand results in few price increases. This trend regarding our modern stamps goes back 30 years, with the only exceptions generally being some of the varieties such as stamps without gum and those with rare perforations.

For more details of the price increases and new listings, please click on the following links:

Noticeable price increases in the 2008 catalogue

New listings

Stamps attracting attention

For the past two years we have looked at four stamps from the Scott catalogue that we thought would be of special interest to our viewers. Let’s look at how they did in the latest catalogue:

Scott 1701a

Two years ago, we noted that this stamp, the “Missing Moose”, had been listed by Scott for the first time, but without a price. Last year Scott added a price which it set at $5000 and they didn’t change it this year. In the past 2 years, seven copies have sold at auction at prices ranging from $4,250 to $6,250. The most recent sales were for under $5,000. So the trend so far is down, not up.

Scott 2045-2048

The above stamps are part of a set of four. They were featured in a package of four stamps and four phone cards. The stamps were issued without denomination. As we noted previously, the stamps could be bought at the time directly from Canada Post for $5.99 a set or $23.96 for the 4 sets. Scott listed the 4 sets two years ago at $37. They increased this to $56 last year and then up to $104 this year. Used copies of this stamp have the same value in the catalogue as mint. They could be worth more someday if they are as rare as some people think.

1991a/1991b

Two years ago, we noted how lucky those people were who were able to pick up the above Vancouver overprint booklets. The Scott value for a booklet of 10 jumped from $7 to $30 and a booklet of 30, from $21 to $90. But it now appears those people were not so lucky after all. In last year’s catalogue, the value of the first booklet was reduced from $30 to $15 and the second from $90 to $45 and they stayed there again this year. These fluctuations up and down in catalogue values are rare. Usually, if anything, the trend is usually level, or up in the case of stamps that are in short supply and consequently in demand.

110a – 114b

The prices for these Admiral imperforates climbed in the past two years. Last year, each of the above pairs increased in value from $2,250 to $2,900, an increase of 29%. This year the brakes were put on and there were no increases. We were not surprised as there have been few sales and the prices realized have been less than stellar. We suspect that this could change if a number of copies in no hinged condition came onto the market this year.

Here are a few interesting statistics

Biggest dollar value increases in the 2008 Scott catalogue:

Biggest percentage increases between 2007-2008:

Noticeable increases amongst the lower value stamps 2007-2008: