Over the past few years, four extensive collections
of Hawaiian stamps and postal history have come to auction. First to auction was the
vast Honolulu Advertiser collection in 1995 (Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, sale
number 769, dated November 7-11, 1995). Next was the Charles J. Pietsch III collection
in 1996 (Shreve Auction Galleries, Inc., September 27-28, 1996). Third was the Shreve
Auction Galleries "Champion Collection," another part of the Pietsch collection, (Shreve
Auction Galleries, Inc. June 6, 1997). Finally, the Christian Aall collection was
auctioned in 1998 (Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc., sale 805, November 11-12,
1998). At no other time in the history of stamp collecting has such a wealth of
Hawaiian material been introduced into the marketplace within four years. The
catalogues of these auctions are "musts" for the philatelic library of any serious
collector of Hawaiian philately. A few other great "name" sales of Hawaii include the
Ryohei Ishikawa Sale by Sotheby-Parke Bernet Stamp Auction Co., November 18, 1980, the
Adm. Frederic R. Harris sales of April 27, 1954 (Part 1) and October 4-5 (Part 2) by
Harmer, Rooke & Co.. the Ferrars H. Tows Collection by Carl E. Pelander on October 7-9,
1948, and the Charles Wilson Collection by H. R. Harmer on May 11-12, 1943. With some
patient searching, you can pick up copies of these catalogues from major philatelic
literature dealers. The prices are irrelevant (unfortunately) but the photographic
plates are invaluable.
So what's next? Nothing approaching the Advertiser
Collection's scope and depth exists today. Nonetheless, collections approximating the
size and depth of the Pietsch or Aall Collections could come to market, some of them
containing material passed from generation to generation without ever being offered in
the marketplace. For very high end material, the market is still trying to absorb all
of the stamps and postal history unlocked in the mid-'90's. However, fewer of the lots
offered in the Advertiser, Aall and Pietsch collections are resurfacing and it seems
most of it is in the hands of collectors who are retaining it. More importantly, lots
realizing $1,000-$10,000 in those auctions are now seeing significant advances when
they are auctioned now. Also, as the recirculation of what we saw in the great
auctions of the mid-90's has dwindled, other material is coming to market.
Looking past material fetching tens of thousands
of dollars, recent auction trends show there is significant interest in the market for
Hawaii and one cannot expect significant savings in sound VF stamps. The Advertiser
Collection included material locked up in collections since the 19th Century. Some of
the roots of the Advertiser Collection began in the Henry J. Crocker formed from the
1880's to 1910, whose widow sold his Hawaii collection to Frank Atherton, who donated a
part of his collection to the Honolulu Academy of the Arts, who sold the Atherton
Collection, as it had become known, to the Honolulu Advertiser (now I see why the Book
of Genesis was so tedious for me). Atherton also acquired significant pieces in addition
to the Crocker Collection. The Advertiser, in turn, acquired significant material from
Al Ostheimer and Thurston Twigg-Smith. The Advertiser Collection was like a giant
vacuum cleaner, sucking up almost all of the significant pieces in Hawaiian philately.
Unlocking this material gives other collectors an opportunity to own pieces once thought
to be inaccessible.
eBay offers a venue for selling material on a
daily basis. So far, Hawaiian stamps have tended to be in the low-end material, with
some excellent quality pieces. Other than eBay, there is no good vehicle for selling
the low end stamps and covers and the buyer participation in eBay seems to be
enthusiastic. However, look out for "Numerals" because the vast majority of Numerals
being offered on eBay are fakes. Also, the 5¢ Boston Engraved stamps offered are
sometimes misidentified - Scott Nos. 5, 9 or 8 are often the much lower valued Scott No.
10. Look for certificates on these items.