Charles Ives autograph

[Joe Barron]

For reasons I'd rather not go into, I'm selling my treasured Charles Ives autograph on eBay.

Happy bidding.

[Joe Barron]

Congratulate me, everyone: The Ives autograph did not sell.

I belongs with me. Who else can you name who would give it a better home? Needed funds will just have to come from somewhere else. 

[bhodges]

Sorry it didn't sell, but I'm happier that you still have it.  I think the universe is trying to tell you that it belongs in your home. 

--Bruce

[Joe Barron]

Sorry it didn't sell, but I'm happier that you still have it.  I think the universe is trying to tell you that it belongs in your home. 

--Bruce

I'm actually relieved. Faced with the prospect of parting with it over the past week, I've been looking at it closely, both on my wall and in the photographs I posted in eBay. It's a beautiful thing.

[Guido]

I can't ever imagine paying that much for something on ebay.

Great that you get to keep it at least.

[Joe Barron]

I can't ever imagine paying that much for something on ebay.

Well, I almost paid that much for it in the first place a couple of years ago. I figured I was entitled to a small profit.

[Guido]

I'm not saying the item is overpriced, but just that I can't imagine paying that amount of money for something on ebay - i.e. there might be other channels (such as one of the major auction houses that exist in real life) where people would be more likely to buy (though I guess you actually want to keep it...)

[Szykneij]

I don't know if you've investigated this or not, but in addition to its value as an autograph, this piece might have value in the philatelic world to postal history collectors. Scarce varieties exist of the otherwise common stamps on the envelope that are worth considerably more "on cover". Certain postmarks can give the cover more desirability, too. If in the future you do decide to sell again, it would be a good idea to check in with some of the major postage stamp collector auction houses first.

[Joe Barron]

in addition to its value as an autograph, this piece might have value in the philatelic world to postal history collectors.

I doubt it. The stamps have a combines face value of five cents. They're common George Washington stamps, valuable only in that the extablish what Antiques Road Show calls provenance. The cancellation gives us the exact date of the mailing: Nov. 8, 1931.

[Szykneij]

I doubt it. The stamps have a combines face value of five cents. They're common George Washington stamps, valuable only in that the extablish what Antiques Road Show calls provenance. The cancellation gives us the exact date of the mailing: Nov. 8, 1931.

I don't have my old catalogs handy to give you exact information, but there are about 15 catalog listings each of the 1-cent green Franklin and 2-cent carmine Washington stamps. As you say, they most likely are the common varieties, but depending on the perforation size, watermarks, printing process, etc., some of these stamps can be very pricey, especially postally used on cover which usually substantially increases their value. This is where the postmark comes in, which needs to tie the stamps to the envelope. If your 2-cent stamps are Scott #491 or #500, the envelope might be worth listing at your starting price even without the Ives signature.

Twenty years ago, when I was actively collecting and not worried about sending my kid to college, I would be far more likely to pay the price for your envelope as opposed to an Ives autograph on a picture or program. As a collector and a musician, I sought out items that combined both of my interests. Many stamp collectors are "topical" collectors and will only buy items that are connected to their chosen theme, of which music is a popular example.

I worked in the philatelic field for many years in the past and dealt with various firms to locate specialist material for customers. When selling an excellent item like yours, I would strongly suggest at least consulting one of these experts and not relying solely on e-bay and Antiques Road Show.

[Joe Barron]

I worked in the philatelic field for many years in the past and dealt with various firms to locate specialist material for customers. When selling an excellent item like yours, I would strongly suggest at least consulting one of these experts and not relying solely on e-bay and Antiques Road Show.

And what firms would these be? I have no clue about where or how to find them.

[Szykneij]

And what frimns would these be? I have no clue about where or how to find them.

Here is the link to the American Philatelic Society dealer database. For "business specialty" I'd start with "postal history". You can narrow the listings down to your location, retail store only, etc.

http://www.stamps.org/directories/dir_DealerMembers.htm

EDIT: Enter "autographs" where it says "Or, If you do not find what you need in the drop down try entering your own Term"

[Joe Barron]

Here is the link to the American Philatelic Society dealer database. For "business specialty" I'd start with "postal history". You can narrow the listings down to your location, retail store only, etc.

http://www.stamps.org/directories/dir_DealerMembers.htm

EDIT: Enter "autographs" where it says "Or, If you do not find what you need in the drop down try entering your own Term"

Thanks. I've sent an inquiry off to Bennett Stamps in New York.

[Joe Barron]

Oh, and the one-cent stamp is a Ben Franklin, not a Washington.