Have You Ever Found Treasure In Kiloware?

In my kiloware I managed to fine a very fine quality, used strait settlements stamp. Sadly now I don't know where it is...

I just started buying some US kiloware to fill modern spots in my album and I'm having a great time doing it. Just received a lot I payed $26 for on Saturday. It was advertised as a shoebox full and it sure was one packed shoebox. It weighed in at 6.9 pounds. I spent most of the day yesterday during the snow storm just sorting and soaking and I've only gone through about a quarter pound so far. And I ordered another 5 pound box that's due later in the week. This first one is a great mix of new and old and I've shocked to see some of the commems in there that I didn't even think people actualy used. So far I'm quite happy

Also got the "Pure Citrus" method down to a science for the modern US stamps. A lot to practice with helped quite a bit

To me, treasure is just finding anything I need. I just found the last G rate stamp I needed to complete the set. Lot more fun just sorting through kiloware and finding it than 2 clicks of the mouse to just buy it by itself on Ebay :)

I found a US Scott #554d. It was only expertized as being in "good" condition unfortunately, but still...


-IBFS

Found some great stuff at 2nd hand store sites buying lots. But the kilo's seem to just fill the holes. They are fun though. I like estate lots best. I found an old photo once that was done with silver on metal.

I found a color missing error on a 1 shilling 6 pence Machin head in a kiloware lot. Not something to get rich on, but a nice find nonetheless...and a used one at that. Gibbons at least the last time I checked only values the mint.

Its not really kiloware, but I just had to have this lot on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW-HUGE-188...p=true&rt=nc

Not myself but a friend of mine bought an odds and ends lot off Ebay back when we were in college. he wound up finding two sets of the $200 and $500 Persian Rug revenues.

I think he paid $100 or so for a 20 pound box? Not bad all considered.

Would you guys say that, the fun of it aside, does buying kiloware & shoeboxes generally net you more value that you pay?

Second, what would compel a dealer to sell lots this way and allow high value items to slip through his fingers? I see some lots that look like its random stuff rammed in a cardboard box, but that doesn't mean the vendor hasn't gone through it and picked out all the good stuff. I mean, think about it, if it's that much fun for you and I, you have to think it's fun for the vendor too.

I think that dealers have chosen a niche or the whole market to concentrate on and to move things quickly and not sit on them.

The concentration and time it takes ti individually look at all stamps in a kiloware batch does not pay for itself, for a dealer, if he or she does not have the knowledge and skills to tell the minute differences between the $3 stamp and the 20c stamp.


I myself think it is worth the while as I like cancels and pretty stamps of all kinds. A well-centered, nice colour, well designed and presented stamp is worth the hunt.

Kiloware is mostly 3c or more a stamp, depending on rarity and modernness. More recent stamps (the last couple years will attract more interest than those 10 years old or more, usually.


Sometimes it is hard to find an unpicked, unsorted through lot but then again, the smaller lots where more stamps are shown, are more likely to receive a bid or two than the hoard of who knows what, although I do like those also.

Thx Puzzler. I see some of these box lots on ebay where the dealer has photographed most of the items, and that's great because I get a sense of what is in it. But I also figure if he has the time to photograph most of it, chances are he has looked for any good stuff too.

Unless he has his 10 year old kid taking the photos...

I just found a #480 in a lot I purchased.
Tom

These were in a large flat of loose and on paper stamps.




Usually with a large lot like this one I'll first sort them. In this case there were a bunch of pairs. That was one group. Then single's on paper, single off paper. Those groups I broke down into 1cent, 2cent and other.
I've only gone through the pairs so far.

I once found a Belgium #1 in a large lot of on and off paper. It was in very good condition and looks splendid in my album

Dianne

Wonderful, Dianne!

Speaking of #1's, I just found a 2-margin penny black in a lot of "3000 misc foreign" I purchased for $25 a few weeks ago. There was also a 5/ Ireland overprinted KGV Seahorse and a f/vf US 87 ('E' grill blackjack) in the same lot. I have a lot more to sort and catalogue, but have rarely had such luck from a kiloware lot.

IBFS - what was the final selling price on that 554d?

Brian

My last batch I'm still going through and it has already more than pay for itself.
Tom