Buss Collection May Score in Millions
Superior Stamp & Coin Co. of Beverly Hills will auction the Jerry Buss stamp collection Nov. 10 and 11 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. A total of 2,348 lots will be offered, and this sale is expected to bring in excess of $2.5 million.
Buss is probably best known as the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Forum.
Some spectacular items in this sale will be Scott U.S. No. 85A, the 1-cent Franklin Z Grill of 1867. This stamp catalogues at $110,000. Only two copies of it are known, and the other is in the Miller collection of the New York Public Library.
U.S. No. 140 unused will also be offered. This is the 12-cent Henry Clay white-wove paper variety of 1870, currently listed in the catalogues at $12,000, the price being printed in italics, meaning that it is not often traded in the stamp market.
And No. 314A, the 4-cent Grant issue of 1908 with privately manufactured Schermack perforations, priced at $17,500 unused. Other choice U.S. issues and exceedingly rare Zeppelin covers of the world will be included in this auction.
Catalogues of the sale are available for $3 from Superior Stamp & Coin Co., 9301 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, Calif. 90210. Telephone (213) 278-9740.
Question: My envelope has a purple stamp with the lettering: Boulder Dam--1935. The date is Sept. 30, 1935, canceled 9 a.m. in Boulder City, Nev. Is it a first-day cover and what is it worth?--R.M.B.
Answer: This is a first-day cover, 166,180 of which were postmarked on that day. Although Scott catalogues it for $12.50, it is worth less on the actual stamp market, maybe $2 or $3.
Some cachets (envelope designs for first-day covers) of certain manufacturers are a bit rare, and maybe you have one of the rarer varieties. Show the cover to a stamp dealer for a professional opinion.
Q: I have an Australian airmail issue showing an airplane over two hemispheres of the world. The face value is 6 pence. What is the value?--K.N.
A: Two issues fit this description, each worth about $10 to $12 mint, $5 to $7 canceled.
Q: Years ago I bought a box of stamps from a private party. In this collection I have a 1-cent blue Franklin and three 3-cent Washingtons, all in different shades of rose. These stamps seem to be from the 1850s and 1860s. I also have a 5-cent Washington, blue-gray in color, with a print on the reverse side of a 1-cent Andrew Jackson. What are these worth?--H.L.
A: From a few cents each to several dollars each, depending on condition and what issues you have. Many different varieties fit your description. Show your stamps to a dealer.
Q: Is there an organization for collectors of Japanese stamps?--T.N.
A: The International Society for Japanese Philately was founded in 1945 and now has members worldwide. Benefits include the bimonthly magazine Japanese Philately, an expertization service and sales circuits. Dues are $10 per year plus a one-time admission fee of $1.
For a membership application or more information send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Kenneth Kamholz, Secretary, ISJP, P.O. Box 1283, Haddonfield, N.J. 08033.
Q: I have a 1 stamp from the Isle of Man showing a Viking ship. Also a 1-shilling New Zealand commemorative with a tree and the words Centennial of New Zealand, 1840-1940. Both are fine mint. What is their value?--P.D.
A: The 1973 Isle of Man issue lists for $5 mint. The Isle of Man is a semi-autonomous island within the British Commonwealth, located in the Irish Sea. Your New Zealand issue of 1940 has a current value of $10 mint.
Q: I would like your assistance. Here at Orthopaedic Hospital our Stamps for Kids program has no funding, so we rely on the kindness of friends to provide needed stamps and albums.
We need foreign and domestic stamps to keep the program viable. We will accept entire envelopes, but if donors want to cut around the stamps of their incoming mail, we request that they retain an inch margin around the stamp.
The children of Orthopaedic Hospital need creative diversions throughout their day to help speed the healing process. We feel that stamp collecting offers youths a challenge and an excellent educational activity.
My address is Office of Volunteer Services, Orthopaedic Hospital, 2400 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90007.--Barbara Ludden
A: Interested readers who have canceled U.S. or foreign commemorative stamps to donate can mail them or drop them off at Orthopaedic Hospital in care of Ludden. She can be reached at the Volunteer Services extension at the hospital. Telephone (213) 742-1000.
Q: Recently I was going through my great-grandmother’s old trunks, and I came across an old cigar box full of stamps. I took them to a stamp dealer who told me they were worth $5 to $10. I couldn’t bring myself to throw them away. Can you help me find someone who would enjoy this collection?--A.M.
A: Try the hospital mentioned above or any youth group like the Scouts, schools or church youth clubs.
Q: What are typical prices for French stamps?--T.E.
A: One New York dealer is selling many French issues from the last 50 years for retail prices ranging from 50% to 75% discount off Scott catalogue values. Remember that well-centered stamps with undisturbed original gum may bring full catalogue prices, while damaged stamps may be expensive at any price.
Q: I have four unused Nazi Germany stamps. Three have Hitler’s profile and “DEUTSCHES REICH” with the denominations of 6, 8, and 20. The fourth is inscribed “DEUTSCHE FELDPOST” and “ZULASSUNGS MARKE.” Any value?--L.R.
A: No. Just a few cents each. Most Nazi Germany stamps are still available from hoards in large quantities, so their market prices remain low.