Notes to Assist Bidders

Auctioneer’s Notices

Conditions of Sale

As per Philatelic Auctioneers Standard Terms & Conditions of Sale (1973 revisions) a copy of which may be had upon request.

  •  All lots are sold without VAT or on a VAT inclusive basis.
  • Successful postal bidders will be notified by Pro forma invoice, this should be paid within 7 days.
  • Bidding will increase in the following steps:Up to £10 in steps of 50p £10 to £20 in steps of £1
    £20 to £50 in steps of £2 £50 to £200 in steps of £5
    £200 to £500 in steps of £10 £500 to £1000 in steps of £25
    £1000 to £2000 in steps of £50 £2000 to £5000 in steps of £100
    £5000 to £10,000 in steps of £250 £10,000 and over in steps of £500
    Any bids not falling into the system will be reduced to the nearest proper bid.
  • ‘Buy’ bids can only be accepted on the condition that the auctioneer’s decision is final.

Conditions of Sale

As per Philatelic Auctioneers Standard Terms & Conditions of Sale (1973 revisions) a copy of which may be had upon request.

  •  All lots are sold without VAT or on a VAT inclusive basis.
  • Successful postal bidders will be notified by Pro forma invoice, this should be paid within 7 days.
  • Bidding will increase in the following steps:Up to £10 in steps of 50p £10 to £20 in steps of £1
    £20 to £50 in steps of £2 £50 to £200 in steps of £5
    £200 to £500 in steps of £10 £500 to £1000 in steps of £25
    £1000 to £2000 in steps of £50 £2000 to £5000 in steps of £100
    £5000 to £10,000 in steps of £250 £10,000 and over in steps of £500
    Any bids not falling into the system will be reduced to the nearest proper bid.
  • ‘Buy’ bids can only be accepted on the condition that the auctioneer’s decision is final.

Notice to Vendors

 Our rates of sale are as follows:

Up to £500- @ 17.5%

£500 to £1000- @ 15%

Over £1000- @ 12.5% per sale + VAT

Minimum commission £3.00 per lot + VAT

Please send for vendor information sheet.

Suffix after lot number (packaging)

A = Album

E = Envelope

B = Box

S = Stockbook

T = Tin

CB = Carrier Bag

SC = Suitcase

Starting Prices

 Most lots will be between 50% and 75% of the estimated value. No lot will be offered at less than 50% of estimate.

Abbreviations & Definitions of Condition

CTO = Cancelled To Order

PMK = Postmark

UM = Unmounted Mint

CDS = Circular Date Stamp

SW = Sideways

M = Mint but previously mounted

CW = Commonwealth

WMK = Watermark

FDC = First Day Cover

FU = Fine Used

VFU = Very Fine Used

O/C = off centre

MS = Miniature Sheets

FFC = First Flight Cover

PS = Postal Stationery

PC = Postcard

PPC = Picture Postcard

M/S = Manuscript

BS = backstamp

OG = Mnt but only part of original gum remains

UN = Unused stamps without postmark & without gum

Set to £1 = Set complete to the value quoted

Vals to £1 = Incomplete set to the value quoted

STC = Stated to catalogue (by vendor & uncheck by Auctioneer)

Cat = catalogue (currently Stanley Gibbons unless otherwise stated)

Placing a Bid

Please bid early. Every month we receive several bid forms after the auction, usually due to late posting. Please ensure you allow plenty of time when sending in your postal bids. Why not telephone, or email to make sure:

T 01353 663919
E bobcarr@cpa-ely.co.uk
E mandy@cpa-ely.co.uk

On auction day we are unable to receive emails, but can be contacted by telephone on 070 5000 3919.

Please ensure your bid form is checked thoroughly – remember you are responsible for your bids – we cannot accept lots back if you have placed a bid on the wrong lot.

Bids do not include Buyer’s premium at 12.5% plus VAT.

Postal Viewing

Due to large demand for viewing by post, we have had to limit the facility to single items (stamps or covers) and small easily packaged lots (no collections or accumulations). All lots must be returned within 24 hours with postage, packing and insurance, both ways being borne by the Client. No lots will be sent out the week prior to the auction.

As much information as possible will gladly be given over the phone.

Please note we offer a photocopy and email service for small lots. We are unable to photocopy or scan/email collections.

Unsold Lots

After the auction, all the unsold lots will appear on our website, and are available for sale. Should you wish to purchase any of these lots you can contact us by email.

If you would like to contact us by phone, we will only be available to take your call on the Tuesday after the sale from 3pm onwards. The time taken to generate invoices to our hundreds of postal bidders is quite considerable and therefore we have to refrain in answering our telephone calls until this process has been completed.

Most lots can be purchased at 50% of the estimated value, however, some vendors do put reserves on their lots and therefore we will have to adhere to their wishes. We will confirm to you the price and availability of the lot as soon as possible.