Germany’s Oldest Stamp Auction House

HEINRICH KÖHLER

Online Live Bidding: The Wind in our “Sailes”At Heinrich Köhler auctions, both consignors and bidders profit from online live bidding

Heinrich Köhler first introduced online live bidding 10 years ago at the auction of Simon Wiesenthal’s collection. At the time, nobody could have foreseen that

it would play such a crucial role in auctions today. Now, winning online bids account for 20% of total sales, and rising. This technology works in the interest of

both bidders participating in auctions from the comfort of their own homes and consignors, who profit from higher revenue.

Perfect silence in Heinrich Köhler’s auction room, you could indeed hear a pin drop. Bidders in the room, agents and Köhler staff serving telephone bidders: All eyes focussed on the screen, waiting for another bid from an online live bidder. Auctioneer Dieter Michelson’s voice breaks the silence: “8,000 Euros in the room against the internet. Going once…“ He pauses, then says into the microphone broadcasting the auction live online: “Going twice.“ Online bidders feel the tension in the room. Sitting at home, they have the information on their screens, as well as video and sound streams of the auction, as if they were personally present in the auction room. They are only ever one click away from placing a bid – one click to few and they might loose that lot. The item is about to be hammered down, and you can sense bidders in the room are eagerly awaiting knock-down as a release. But then, the ping

sound indicates an online bid has been made, and the screen reads “€8,500 | Online“. One bidder bidding online from home has not given up yet. This battle is not over yet, and this bid will not be the last one for this lot.

New technology has changed auctions continuously over the past years. 10 years ago, in autumn 2006, Heinrich Köhler was the first German stamp auction house to integrate new possibilities offered by the internet into the auction process, adding to people bidding in person and through agents, telephone bidders and written bids placed in advance. For the first time, collectors and traders could directly influence what was going on in the auction room by bidding online.

Added flexibility

At the beginning, many were rather sceptical as to the benefits the new technology might have in store. While at first younger patrons and clients who had only recently discovered stamp collecting took to this new way of bidding, we now see clients of all age groups have grown

fond of it and the benefits it brings with it: being able to react flexibly to what is happening in the auction room, making an unexpected bargain with one simple click, or to bid that little bit more in case of strong competition for a rare item.

To be continued on page 2

Preview 364th Auction

Sweden Postal History &Postage Due Mail

The Kersti & Bertil I. Larsson Collection

See page 3

Preview 364th Auction

Mail to the Far EastPostal Routes and Frankings to the

Far East from and via Europe pre UPU

See page 4

Preview 364th Auction

Bavaria 1849-1875The Hilmar Kraus Collection

See page 5

Seminar for philatelists

Philatelic Summit 2017Stockholm, 7-9 April 2017

See page 8

Dieter Michelson during the Global Philatelic Network Auction of the ‚Erivan‘ collection in New York 2016. The Online-Live-Bidding System is in use worldwide and online bids are showing up directly in the auction room.

Collectors can follow the auction from every place in the world and bid directly.

Heinrich Köhler – Competence, Tradition, Quality.German and International Philately since 1913

Germany’s Oldest Stamp Auction House

Heinrich Köhler Auktionshaus GmbH & Co. KG

Wilhelmstr. 48 · 65183 Wiesbaden · GermanyPhone +49 - 611 - 3 93 81 · Fax +49 - (0)611 - 3 93 84

www.heinrich-koehler.de · info@heinrich-koehler.de

Edition December 2016

Germany’s Oldest Stamp Auction House

HEINRICH KÖHLER Online Live Bidding

online live bidding system. At a starting price of €35,000, Asian bidders online raised the price of the cover with Chinese-German double franking against bidders in the auction room, agents and telephone bidders to a total of €95,000. Simultaneous auctions have proven to be highly successful on two separate occasions, which is why our 364th Auction in March 2017, too, will be characterized by partially simultaneous auction sections. The auction will open with a special collection, ‘Swedish Postal History and Postage Due Stamps‘ to be auctioned simultaneously in Wiesbaden and in Stockholm. Another special highlight of the auction will be the great ‘Mail to the Far East‘ collection, to be auctioned simultaneously on 25 March by Heinrich Köhler, Wiesbaden, and John Bull, Hong Kong.

Online live bidding has allowed an entirely new client group to access our auctions. With each auction, more patrons register for online live bidding and indeed are very diligent bidders. Looking at the figures, bidding online is obviously highly successful. At the last Heinrich Köhler auction in autumn 2016, bids placed live online accounted for 21.3 % of total sales, and rising – as opposed to 13% two years ago. And this only takes into account final sales, not considering the countless bids made by online live bidders driving up prices even though they ultimately might not win the lot.

Our sister company Corinphila has had similar experiences. Being the oldest auction house in Switzerland, it recently announced online live bidders accounted for nearly 40% of all sales. This makes them the largest group of bidders – ahead of individuals and agents bidding in the room, and of those submitting written bids or bidding by phone. For bidders, consignors and auctioneers, bidding online has become an integral part of auctions, is one way to make auctions accessible to an even larger clientele. and therefore considerably higher results.

At Heinrich Köhler, we have been and will be committed to online live bidding as a modern an innovative way of participating

Continuation from page 1

Early on, Heinrich Köhler auction house understood the revolutionary impact this new mode of sales and distribution would have. Since then, all auctions have been designed in such a way that they lend themselves to online bidding:

• a maximum of 1,200 lots per day• each lot called individually• images of each lot displayed on the

client’s monitor while the respective item is being auctioned

• complete transparency as the respective total of the bid is displayed in all major currencies at the current exchange rate at the same time

Nowadays, we could not live without online live bidding at Heinrich Köhler Auctions. In the early stages, we used online bidding systems supplied by external providers, but soon developed our own programme with IT specialists: Software that is even easier to operate, and even more transparent for users. Heinrich Köhler’s sister companies in Zurich, Hong Kong, the US and the Netherlands, too, took up online bidding soon after.

„Are we all done in Hong Kong?“

Holding simultaneous auctions in Wiesbaden and New York to auction off a Zeppelin Special Collection, and simultaneous auctions in Wiesbaden and Hong Kong for the ‘German Post Offices in China‘ collection, Heinrich Köhler made philatelic auction history. “Are we all done in Hong Kong?“ auctioneer Dieter Michelson kept asking repeatedly over the

in auctions. Online bidding is fresh wind in our sales at all our auctions. Bidders can place bids during the auction themselves, entirely untroubled by the atmosphere in the auction room. That way, the price for a lot for which an upper limit had been set

for written bids can be exceeded several times over. Consignors, too, profit from the fact that their individual lots and collections are being made available to a global clientele.

2014: Auction of the collection WALDERSEE “German Post Offices in China”. The auction took place in Wiesbaden and Hong Kong simultaneously.

Online-Live-Bidding at home. The system is used by the partners of the Global Philatelic Network all over the world. Here you see a screenshot of Heinrich Köhler‘s affiliate company Corinphila during their 211st Auction in November 2016.

The advantages of online live bidding at a glance

For consignors:• each lot is called individually!• a maximum of 1,200 lots per day• images of each lot displayed on the client’s monitor as the respective item is being

auctioned - highest attention for each lot!• even larger clientele. and therefore considerably higher results• Simultaneous auctions in different locations all over the world• bids placed live online accounting for more than 20 % of total sales, with an

ascending trend

For bidders:• allows clients to follow auctions as if they were in the auction: real-time display

of the current bid, plus sound and image of what is happening in the room. • ensures absolute control over all your bids• allows bidders to react flexibly to bids made in the auction room • allows bidders to act in case of unexpectedly harsh competition for a rare item• allows bidders to act at short notice and get hold of bargains• allows bidders to remain completely anonymous to other bidders• encrypted data transfer via our secure server

Online Live Bidding: The Wind in our “Sailes”At Heinrich Köhler auctions, both consignors and bidders profit from online live bidding

Germany’s Oldest Stamp Auction House

HEINRICH KÖHLER364th Heinrich Köhler-Auction from 21st to 25th March 2017

Preview

Sweden Postal History & Postage Due MailThe Kersti & Bertil I. Larsson Collection (part I)

Courier letter dated 1556 from Prince Erik to his father Gustaf Vasa

Postage due: unique franking with six different postage due stamps

3-4 March 2017

Viewing in StockholmPart I:

21 March 2017Simultaneous auction in Wiesbaden und Stockholm

Live Auction in Stockholm

Stockholm

Skilling banco: Letter to United States via Prussia

Printed Royal Decree „Postbåhden“ from 1636

Swedish Post Office in Lübeck: Partly prepaid multi-rate letter dated Livorno 1816 and sent to Gothenburg, via Lübeck

Skilling banco: insured letter (open registered mail)

Single line postmark „NORRKöPING“ on letter to Stockholm in 1800

Vapen Lejon: sensational colour franking

Kersti & Bertil I. Larsson

It is said that “a man with a hobby is a happy man, as he has two worlds to live in”. The couple Kersti and Bertil I. Larsson, Sweden, are recognized in the

philatelic world as passionate postal historians. Their activities in the world of postal history and among postal historians have made all of us much happier.

The Larssons are members of the Swedish Postal History Society (SSPD) since long time, and the research and knowledge of Bertil I. Larsson is internationally acknowledged as he in 2006 signed The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. For many years, we have been fortunate that the Larssons have shared their knowledge and passion for postal history with the rest of us through publications, and not least through their fantastic collections, in which

you can feel the wings of history. Only to give one example: To see an original ”Postbåhden” from 1636, as the most important document in Swedish postal history, is a serious matter of course.

”What is the most difficult thing to collect in Swedish postal history?” The answer is a good collection about the earliest Swedish postal history. A tremendously deep knowledge characterizes the Larssons, especially in the area of postage due mail within, from and to Sweden. They have put together the best collections ever on early Swedish postal history and postage due mail. The knowledge in their collections is not only represented by the deep research and writing, but also in the selection of the philatelic gems and items.

Order your free catalogue now !

(Shipment in February)

Phone: +49 (0)611 3 93 81

E-mail: info@heinrich-koehler.de

Germany’s Oldest Stamp Auction House

HEINRICH KÖHLER 364th Heinrich Köhler-Auction from 21st to 25th March 2017

Preview

Mail to the Far EastPostal Routes and Frankings to the Far East from and via Europe pre UPU

Nowadays if one sends an email across the continents to Eastern Asia, the recipient sees it almost immediately, and a letter usually takes only a few days. But

the routes taken by letters, and the travel times 100-150 years ago are documented in a collection that is coming up for sale, in an impressive manner, in the

364th Heinrich Köhler auction.

One might have been spoilt for choice: the decision was whether to send the letter to the Far East via Marseilles, Brindisi, Trieste or even San Francisco. There remained only the question of how to calculate the postage and, where appropriate, what stamps should be used to prepay the rate calculated. This is due to the fact that before the introduction of a general UPU postal tariff each country had made its own

policies and contracts, sometimes bilateral treaties relating to the carrying of postal items.„Mail to the far East“ is a philatelic journey from the beginnings of correspondence to the Far East in the mid-18th century to the early 20th century. It began with the sea route around the Cape of Good Hope, but the circumnavigation of Africa was time-consuming. At the beginning of the

19th century a shorter route via Egypt was developed by Thomas Fletcher Waghorn. As a 125-mile strip of land lies between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, a permanent method of overland transport was established, at first with camels and later by rail (the “Overland Mail”). Only with the opening of the Suez Canal from Port Said to Suez in 1869 did the shortest route become continuously navigable.

Later other postal routes were opened up by new railway lines in Russia and North America.Only a small selection from our special catalogue is presented here. The outstanding range of approx. 200 covers will be auctioned on 25 March 2017 at the same time in Wiesbaden, Germany and Hong Kong in a simultaneous auction with John Bull.

25 March 2017Joint Auction with John Bull, Hong Kong

Auction taking place in Wiesbaden and Hong Kong simultaneously

Live Auction in Hong Kong

1867, Saxony-Great Britain combination franking, from Dresden to Canton per Overland-Mail and “MISSENT TO CALCUTTA”.

“Overland Mail” from Saxony to Batavia,via Trieste and Alexandria in 1864

Arrival of Overland Mail at Alexandria

Thurn & Taxis: Dillenburg to Batavia via Trieste, 1864

Austria: printed matter to Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Trieste-Canton 1866 via Alexandria

1840, “CARE OF MR. WAGHORN” on cover to Java,forwarded to Macao

US 1860, attractive multiple franking on cover from St. Louis to Hong Kong.

Four-color mixed franking from Algeria to Hong Kong, 1872

Canton

Germany’s Oldest Stamp Auction House

HEINRICH KÖHLER

Munich

364th Heinrich Köhler-Auction from 21st to 25th March 2017

Preview

Bavaria 1849-1875The Hilmar Kraus Collection (Teil III)

The first two special auctions of the “Bavaria 1849-1875” collection of Hilmar Kraus once again demonstrated the great popularity of this classic German

collecting area!

Destination Spain

Multiple franking ‘prussian-blue’ to the US

Second weight cover to Denmark

Rare mixed franking to Naples

Chargé-cover to Russia

“Shared Franco” to NaplesSecond weight cover to Belgium

Destination Channel Islands Jersey

18 kr. orange-red, single franking to Italy

As well as specialities such as the “Schwarzer Einser”‘, multiples and blocks on cover, rare numeral cancellations, special postmarks, interesting frankings and rare destinations: all areas of the collection attracted great interest! Bidders in the room, on the phone

and on the Internet had to make every effort to outdo the pre-sale “book” bids!Hilmar Kraus‘ eye for what is special was rewarded, in the first two auctions of this important collection, with some enormous realisations.

The third part of this great collection, which will be presented in another special catalogue promises to evoke similar interest among collectors. Many “treats” are awaiting you, especially among the covers to foreign destinations!

There are certainly quite a number of lots on offer which will please you and which you will want to include in your collection.

Naples

Erlangen

Germany’s Oldest Stamp Auction House

HEINRICH KÖHLER 364th Heinrich Köhler-Auction from 21st to 25th March 2017

Preview

SudetenlandThe Dr. Hugo Hörr Collection

Preview

German Reich Booklets, Booklet Panes and Combination Multiples 1900-1941The Gerhard Korn Collection

Karlsbad, airmail stamp 2 kc. in mixed franking on Zeppelin-cover

Reichenberg, newspaper stamp 100 h. with inverted overprint with newspaper stamps 10-30 and 50 h. on cover

Karlsbad, Postage due stamp 10 kc. with drakblue instead of darkrose overprint

Reichenberg, Tyrš 60 h. from the bottom left corner, unique

Konstantinsbad, Bad Podiebrad 4 kc., only 5 copies printed

Konstantinsbad, Bratislava 10 kc., only 5 copies printed

Konstantinsbad, Olmütz 5 kc., only 5 copies printedKonstantinsbad,

Purkyně 1 kc., only 20 copies printed

Konstantinsbad, Masaryk Trauer 2 kc. with label at right, only 3 copies printed

Konstantinsbad, Purkyně 50 h. with label at right, only 3 copies known

First stamp booklet essay of 1900

Stamp booklet panes essaysTwo differrent se-tenants on registered cover

Two different se-tenants on registered cover

Stamp booklet essay

Stamp booklet essay with all booklet panes

Germany’s Oldest Stamp Auction House

HEINRICH KÖHLER364th Heinrich Köhler-Auction from 21st to 25th March 2017

Ottoman Empire - Romania: “TULCA 90” positive seals on cover to Istanbul - Unique

Preview: Further highlights of the March 2017 auction

Ottoman Empire · The Dr. Esmer Collection (Part I)Literature · Incl. the Charles Freeland collection

The Bodensee Hoard · All World Collections and Single Lots‚NORRIS‘ · All World Collections and Single Lots

Prussian and Berlin Postal History

Vineta-Provisional used at the first day

Luxembourg, unique coulor-franking to Great BritainPrussia: mixed franking with same values

Togo: French occupation, 10 pf. rose with inverted overprint horizontal pair

Spain 1939, unissued airmail stamps

France: 1941, ‘Paquebot Pasteur’ without overprint

Russia 1959, unissued ‘Battle of Poltava’

Italian Colonies: Libya 1933 with overprint 1,25L. in black on 60c. red

Iran 1929, 2 ch. with inverted center

Sweden, 1889, official stamp with inverted surcharge, used, as well as imperforated unique proof.

Spain 1854, 1 real black-blue, largest unit known

Paquebot Pasteur

Germany’s Oldest Stamp Auction House

HEINRICH KÖHLER

Since 1913 Heinrich Koehler is a synonym for outstanding sales in the area of philately. The excellent knowledge of the market, the discrete treatment for both vendors and buyers, reputable presentations as well as best results of our sales have earned Germany‘s oldest stamp auction house a leading position of worldwide recognition. If you have the idea to sell a fine collection, parts of a collection, extensive duplicates or an entire stock of stamps and covers, then use this opportunity for a consignment! We are accepting consignments for our 364th sale in March 2017 until 15th January

CONTACTPhone: +49 611 3 93 81

E-mail: info@heinrich-koehler.de

High quality catalogues

Added value by proof of provenance:The Köhler card index

Innovative technique

Collectors from all over the world bid “online live” against the auction room.

Quality Management System

First stamp auction house in the world certified under the EU-standard ISO 9001/2008

Background images in combination with philatelic items increase the attention of the collector.

EDITION D´OR ®

Successful selling begins long before consigning !

Nowadays, a perfect presentation in the market requires more than merely catalogue numbers and values.

Individual Presentation: Added value with special catalogues !

364th Heinrich Köhler-Auction from 21st to 25th March 2017

Under the leadership of Jonas Hällström, philatelic summits have evolved in recent years into a very popular philatelic destination event. The seminars always have a particular focus and are intended for collectors, exhibitors, members of juries and expertisers. Due to the strong demand much emphasis is placed on exhibitors learning from viewers and vice-versa. The upcoming philatelic summit focuses on the selection of philatelic items for exhibits. The emphasis here is assessing philatelic importance. Ten lectures by internationally experienced philatelists, judges and exhibitors form the basis of the seminar. Also, with the workshops the participants have, for the first time, the opportunity to develop their subject (postal history, postal stationery, theme etc.) in a group.The venue is the modern Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre. The seminar can be booked individually or as a complete package including accommodation in the adjacent Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel.

Philatelic Seminar in Stockholm from 7 to 9 April 2017

Philatelic Summit 2017In April 2017 a top seminar for aspiring and experienced exhibitors will be held in Stockholm. Knowledge regarding the selection of philatelic items will be shared in several talks and workshops under the guidance of experienced philatelists.

The number of participants in the seminar is limited. Any interested collectors may take part. The only requirement, however, is a knowledge of English as the entire seminar is conducted in this language. The summit is particularly intended, among other things, for philatelists who are planning their next major exhibit for STOCKHOLMIA 2019.FIP policies underlie the entire seminar.Registrations for this seminar may be made until 15 January 2017.www.heinrich-koehler.de

The Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre with the event hotel in the background.

The Global Philatelic Network

International Auctions

ImprintHerausgeber Heinrich Köhler Auktionshaus GmbH & Co. KG Wilhelmstr. 48 65183 Wiesbaden

V.i.S.d.P. Heinrich Köhler Auktionshaus GmbH & Co. KG Dieter Michelson Karl Louis

Internet www.he i n r i c h - koeh l e r. de

Deutschlands ältestes Briefmarken-Auktionshaus

HEINRICH KÖHLER

Company and country Auctions Consignment deadline

Corinphila, NetherlandsFine Stamp Auctions since 1974

8-11 March 201713-16 September 2017

31 December 201630 June 2017

Heinrich Köhler, GermanyGermany‘s Oldest Stamp Auction HouseFounded 1913

21-25 March 201726-30 September 2017

15 January 201615 July 2017

H.R. Harmer, USAFounded 1940

1-3 June 2017 31 March 2017

Corinphila, SwitzerlandSwitzerland‘s Oldest Stamp Auction HouseFounded 1921

7-10 June 2017 31 March 2017

John Bull, Hong KongHong Kong‘s Oldest Philatelic Auction HouseFounded 1975

24-26 June 2017 31 March 2017

Consignment deadline: 15 January 2017

Why sell with Heinrich Köhler ?

364th Heinrich Köhler Auction from 21 to 25 March 2017

Deadline 15th January 2017:Consign now for the 364th Heinrich Köhler AuctionThe next international Heinrich Köhler stamp auction is already in view. Some excellent collections are already in our hands and will be sold in our next sale. Everybody who wants to sell successfully should consign now !

Consignments of good specialized area collections, valuable single lots and whole estates are welcome at any time.

Do not hesitate and call us for an appointment. We will gladly visit you at home. Contact us and ask our philatelists Michael Hilbertz and Tobias Huylmans, or our Managing Director Dieter Michelson.