Spanish Philately Discussion Forum

Welcome Spanish philatelists! Please feel free to post your questions, opinions, discoveries, favorite stamps or covers, or anything else related to Spanish philately or postal history. This board is for everyone that enjoys discussing stamps and related topics, so feel free to invite others. The more the merrier!

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SPS News and Events

SPS Auction #36 Closing Date May 21, 2009

A very interesting lot (but in French) with the Sim's book ""Estampas de la Revolucion española" : 2000 euros with a lot of books and newspapers.
Possibility to buy only the Sim's book for 500 euros.

Jun 27, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

I have a question for those who access to the monthly Llach sales catalog. The subject is three covers for sale in the June 2009 issue which are pictured on page 48 with descriptions on page 114. These covers have the privately issued stamps of Cordoba and Huelva. I have no problem with the prices shown by Llach. For what they are, their descriptions are accurate, but incomplete. My problem is that these are products of the French forgers, Dreyfus et al. and these are their creation. This has previously been reported 25 years ago by both Shelley and Van Dam I have recently placed similar covers for sale on EBAY describing them as rare, but also mentioning they are creations of Dreyfus. I also wrote an article of these with pictures in the Winter 2006 issue of Arana with a subtitle "Fascinating Forgeries by the Dreyfus Gang". Either I am being too harsh in my descriptions or Llach is being too easy. Note that I have bought stamps, covers and literature from Llach over the years and have no complaints of my many transactions. What say you good folks out there; they are too easy or am I too hard????? Denny

Jun 18, 2009
Alan Leveritt <alan@arktimes.com

ALL--After much delay I am finally at work on ARANA. I could really, really use some help from all of you writers. If you would like to try your hand at writing, now is the time. You don't have to be a great writer, just have something to say about Spanish philately. I can edit it. Also...I would really like to have a couple of Philatelic Favorites submissions. This is a short piece about a favorite item in your collection. I could be a cover or stamps that have a story behind them or just a short piece about the most interesting piece in your collection. You guys are burning up pixels here on the internet. Lets have something from you in print! Let me hear from you. Thanks!

Jun 17, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

Dear John: Take a look at item 290324827107 on Ebay. This is a perfect example of how difficult it is to separate the "wheat from the chaff" on Canary Islands Civil War stamps and covers. It took me about 2 hours to prepare just this one listing. I probably have some reference material on local patriotics buried somewhere. When I get some time in a few weeks I will try to pull some out for you. It may not be exactly what you're looking for, because I don't think it exists, but it will help better understanding this fascinating area of stamp and cover collecting. Denny

Jun 04, 2009
John Bloor <aerophil59@yahoo.com

Denny: Thanks for the information -- or lack of it! I'd even be happy to have some journal articles describing the forgeries, particularly the airmail overprints (primarily Canary Islands and Burgos). I'll let you know if I find anything. John

Jun 03, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

John: When you find a copy of a book describing the overprint forgeries, let me know because I've been looking for one for a few decades. It is very prudent that you look for one, because there are a ton of forgeries on the market. One thing I can say about them is in general, the forged overprints are not as distinct looking and more blurred than the real ones. There is a group expertized in red by "Critikian" sold for years in Argentina. I don't know was if the red ink was Critikian's way of denoting a forgery or when his mark was (sold or stolen) after his death and someone else marked these stamps. There is also the Juan Marra forgeries of several series. When you see one of the overprinted rariries at a price to good to believe, it likely is a forgery. There is still a dealer in Argentina who routinely sells these on EBAY. He does have a return policy. I probably have burned through about $20K on forged overprints over my 40 year collecting career. Generally the marks of Galvez, Stolow, Kessler, Serebrakian,Locher, Sanabria, Hevia, Lenze and Critikian (in black) are indicators of good overprints. Let me know if you find anything of note in print. Denny

Jun 02, 2009
John H. Bloor <aerophil59@yahoo.com

Thanks to both Peter and Ralf for the information. I can get the 1994 Guillamon book from the APRL but they don't have the 2003 revision. It's just as well, though, since I don't read Spanish. The APRL also has a 1982 book by Ernst Heller "Town Censor Marks of Spain, 1936-1945" but not either of the two newer ones that Ralf cited. They also Schier's book, 2000 edition, but it's closed stacks. Where can I buy any of these books? I've not yet tried any dealers but would appreciate suggestions about specialist book dealers.

I have another question. What is a good reference on forged overprints of the SCW airmails of the Canaries, Burgos, and others; or a general one on overprint forgeries of all SCW overprints?

May 30, 2009
Peter Litzinger <hp.litzinger@t-online.de

Hallo John Bloor The best source for those air rates can be found in the Book "EL CORREO AEREO EN LA GUERRA CIVIL ESPANOLA" - ZONA NACIONAL by Felix Gomez Guillamon . It is the spanish revision (2003) of the "Air Services in Nationalist Spain"(GG 1994). Peter

Yes, Heller numbers correspond to either Marcas utilizadas por la Censura Republicana durante la Guerra Civil Española or Marcas utilizadas por la Censura postal Nacional de 1936 a 1945 by Ernst L. Heller. The books have 206 and 550 pages and were published in 1995 and 2000.

Concerning the air rates for Lufthansa flights from the Canary Islands during the SCWI: From October 29, 1936, the airmail surcharge for covers on the Las Palmas-Lisboa-Salamanca-Marseille-Frankfurt route was

a) For covers <25 grams to Spain and the Balearic Islands 80 céntimos and 50 céntimos each 25 grams more

(Source: Oswald Schier, Handbuch der spanischen Philatelie, Band 2. (2nd printing). 2003.)

May 28, 2009
Ralf Reinhold
http://www.historiapostal.eu
Bruce Mail from Spain to Canada (as well as to the US) through UK was 4 Reales per 1/4 ounze since October 1, 1858. Rates and taxes before this date depended on different factors that can't be generalized. Could you post a scan of this cover (or send an image to my E-mail address given on my HP)?

May 28, 2009
John Bloor <aerophil59@yahoo.com

Two questions. 1) What are good sources for air and surface rates from the Canary Islands during the SCW? I'm particularly interested in air rates for mail carried by Lufthansa (and other carriers??) during the time that overprinted Republican and Nationalist stamps were used (Oct. 31, 1936 through August, 1939). 2) I've seen many references to Heller numbers for Censor markings. Does this refer to the "Town Censor Marks of Spain, 1936-1945" by Ernst Heller? If not, to what do the citations refer? Thank you.

May 27, 2009
Bruce Wilson <bruce.willson@SBCGLOBAL.NET

Seeking rates of Esp-Canada 1853 am trying to understand cvr Quebec-Cadiz late 1853 rcv mark Cadiz most mysterious rating @ Liverpool and Espana msrkings of interest

May 27, 2009
Jerry Wells <jb.wells@verizon.net

Enrique: Have been trying to email you but postmaster keeps rejecting the email. Can you email me your correct address? jb.wells@verizon.net. Thanks

May 25, 2009
jerry a wells <jb.wells@verizon.net

Alan, Denny: Interestingly enough I acquired my book (exactly the same description and Denny's posting below) late last year at, I suppose, an incredibly reasonable price of $60 US. Took it to an art dealer as I thought perhaps it was originals - apparently not so. But anyway, the drawings are incredibly beautiful and poignant, secure in a spiral bound book -I am delighted to know that both of you acquired a similar item - great minds think alike!!

May 24, 2009
Alan Leveritt <alan@arktimes.com

Don't feel bad Denny, I paid $700 for mine while in Seville, just weeks before I saw it on ebay for about $400. My only solace is that mine is bound and not sprial. I'm sure mine is much, much rarer. I can rationalize anything. Sim was a bullfight poster painter before the war and became a combat artist during the Franco uprising in Barcelona. There is an interesting story about his difficulty in joining one of the anarchist artists collectives which appears for a time to have been somewhat dangerous for him. After the war he went to France and I don't think anymore is known about him. My pages are perforated and apparently were originally intended to be torn out of the book and displayed as prints. I took my book to a quick priner and had them make cheap color copies of the pages without damaging the book.I framed them and today they all on one wall of my office. Everyone thinks they are originals.I got to have my book and eat it too, so to speak.

May 22, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

After my disastrous aborted attempt to buy some Spanish Civil War Posters, and after I read the Marti postcard book which I recently purchased, I bought what I think is a very interesting item. It is a spiral bound book containing 31 color drawings of Republican Civil War scenes by "SIM" and this item is referenced in the "Marti" book. Pablo tells me it was issued as propaganda for the non aligned countries during the Civil War. This book which is on thick paper or thin cardboard in about 11x14 inches, in full color, with descriptions on the opposing pages in three languages. It was originally produced in Barcelona and sold for a total of $1.00. You couldn't buy a sheet of the blank paper today for $1.00. I paid way too much, but it makes a fine addition to my Spanish Civil War Library. Denny

May 14, 2009
Hal Shelton <h.shelton@verizon.net

A reminder that the current SPS auction closes for bidding next week on May 21st. I accept email bids to this address. Click on the catalog above and you will find many interesting items on offer.

May 08, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

Peter: Thank you very much for the information on that cover.

All: I also want to thank all my Spanish Philatelic friends who may have helped me either directly or indirectly win the dispute on the questionable provenance of 46 supposed Civil War covers I bought from a Madrid dealer on Ebay. Paypal has informed me that they are going to credit my account for the value of these transactions.

I just did not follow my advice. I risked getting into the Civil War poster area without any prior knowledge of this subject. I often have said knowledge is power and I had zero knowledge of posters. I learned a great lesson here. It also doesn't hurt to have many good friends in the Spanish philatelic collecting community who offered to help. Thank you all. Needless to say I will not be buying any more Civil War posters. Denny

May 07, 2009
Peter Litzinger <hp.litzinger@t-online.de

Denny, I think, your cover has been brought by Lufthansa line 22 .Since inauguration of line 22 , covers to Germany often had been collected together in Burgos and sent to Stuttgart , end of line 22 . Sometimes the covers got an arrival mark in Stuttgart . Peter

I just did some work and was surprised to find that the steamer "Quaker City" is credited as being the first American-originating tourist cruise ship on account of this 1867 voyage to Egypt, and Holy Land. Better yet, Sam Clemens (aka Mark Twain) was a passenger and his book "Innocents Abroad" was based on the trip.

I am not an expert about Gibraltar Mail but the colony of Gibraltar had two post offices, the Overland Mail and the Maritime Mail. Both were working during the 19th century as separated departments. The Overland Mail was in Spanish hands because the residents in the colony had to pay the postage in Spanish coin (during pre adhesive era) and with Spanish stamps, from the appearance of the first Spanish stamp - that were selling in Gibraltar -, when the letters was for surface mail to any destination. Gibraltar was considered by Correos as OTHER SPANISH CITY. A Spanish postman was doing the daily route San Roque-Gibraltar to bring and to take the mail, without problems of entry and exit, because this was approved by postal regulations between the two Crowns. I think that this situation lasted up to the entry of the British colonies as members of the UPU.

I think that your cover was postmarked when it came to Germany because it wasn't postmarked at Burgos post office. German efficiency¡¡¡

Apr 29, 2009
Richard Frajola <covers@rfrajola.com
http://rfrajola.com
Gibraltar Question - I recently purchased an 1867 from the US to Gibraltar that the sender addressed as 'Gibralter, Spain" - the cover was handled by French mails and shows Spanish "4R" due yet bears a British Gibraltar arrival marking. Was there a Spanish post office at Gibraltar in 1867?

Apr 25, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

HELP.......... I figure I have studied about 4,000 Spanish Civil War Covers during my lifetime. I came across one I put away many years ago that I have no recollection of noticing before and I have never seen another like it. This cover is addressed to Munich via Lisbon and Hamburg,Germany and is franked with Edifil 825(Scott 650) with a Burgos censormark Heller B92.7a. It has a May 11, 1937 postmark (11-5-37). Now the kicker, the postmark is Stuttgart, Germany. I vaguely remember reading somewhere, some time years ago, that there were a couple ways Spanish mail could be postmarked outside the country, but I cannot find the article. What do I have here?????? Denny

Apr 23, 2009
Joaquin Amado <amado.bookshelf@telefonica.net

Dear Deny, Yes--I got a complimentary copy of Alemany's new book. In fact I was one of his consultants. Re. fiscals used as postage during the Civil War: You may be aware of the controversy, several years ago, among two prominent Spanish collectors concerning the class to enter these exhibits, either Revenues or Postal History. The FIP Revenue Commission never clarified the matter, thus leaving it to the jurors criteria. Best, Joaquín.

Apr 23, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

I want to say a word about the work Enrique Jerez of Barcelona is doing on putting together a grouping in color of Republican Civil war Military marks that have so far never been pictured in any books or periodicals I have seen. So far he has gathered about 100 different marks. Since I am not a computer wizard, I do not know how he has been able to take, blurred marks, partial marks, slightly legible marks and turned them into something that looks like he owns all the original handstamps and inks. Someday, I hope he is able to share these with all Civil War cover collectors. In the late 1970's, after Nat Nathan, found the big cache of these covers at the Red Cross, Ron Shelley, who bought many of them always encouraged someone to write a book on these as his interest lie mostly with the International Brigade covers. Enrique is off to an exellent start. With today's existing available references, it is extraordinarily difficult to easily properly describe a cover with these marks. Enrique deserves our encouragement. Denny

Apr 22, 2009
jaume

Hello all, a Spanish collector is interested in trading used recent Spanish stamps with a US collector who can offer recent US used stamps in exchange. If somebody on this board is interested let me know and I'll get you two in touch. Best, Jaume

Apr 22, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

Dear Joaquin: I am only interested on fiscals used on cover during the Civil War. I assume you have Alemany's new book on Spanish fiscals. Denny

Apr 22, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

Richard: The Souvenir Sheet is Galvez Seville 689 and the mark "4 Aniversario Nacional Sindicalista- Arriba Espana" is mentioned in the catalog. I quote "Se usaron obligatoriamente dos dias 29, 30 31 de Octubre" which, given the postmark makes the usage legitimate. Note also that it is addressed to stamp dealer Gomez Cepeda whose premises and business are now operated by Senor Rodriguez, Filatelia Hernando Colon. Cepeda was involved with many unusual covers during the Civil war, probably most notably, the Julio Restat covers. I used to buy every Gomez Cepeda cover I could find. I have since sold most of them except for my Restat covers which I have one of the three major collections in the world. I have sold several of these Seville covers on Ebay with a starting price of $39.95. I do not recall the actual prices realized. Denny

Apr 22, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

A technical Civil war postal question on the Nationalist side. What were the rules for backstamping covers with arrival marks on in country mail during this timeframe. I know "Impresos" mail did not require them, and I knbow a l;ot of strange things happened to mail during the war, but what did the postal rulesd say on this issue on the Nationalist die. I have a number of Commercial bank to bank mail without arrival marks and that is the reason for the question. Denny

Apr 20, 2009
Richard Ascaso <rascaso@comcast.net

Question for our experts? Ebay item: 220399771630 Is this authentic?? To add to Denny's poster quandaray, anyone know anything about this postcard series: Ebay item: 150340291382

Yes I have seen these, El Mundo Fabrications, on ebay Spain and the discriptions can be very vague and misleading by omission. Not likely to catch any specialized collector but could catch a generalist by surprise. Thanks for the poster information.

Apr 20, 2009
Jaume

Denny, This reminds me... I was at a local show two weeks ago when one of the dealers said he had something unusual from Spain. He said it was a collection of over sixty different souvenir sheets with reprints of all the civil war stamps. I didn't remember seeing anything like that before and he went on to add that the sheets were printed with the permission of Correos and that he had bought them in Lisbon for over $300. Naturally, I was curious so he showed them to me. I immediately remembered what they were when I saw them. It turns out that, about four years ago, one of the Spanish national newspapers (El Mundo), in collaboration with Correos and Afinsa, was giving away these sheets to readers who bought the paper, a different sheet every day for a couple of months. Hundreds of thousands of sheets were printed and, of course, they are virtually worthless. He was selling them for $10 a piece, but I hope he has changed the price after hearing the story. Never buy something you don't know about. Cheers, Jaume

Apr 20, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

I have just found out that the 46 posters I just bought were not produced during the Civil War and are worthless. God is telling me I do not need any more hobbies. I didn't heed my own advice of never buying something you don't know about. Again, this time for myself. "Too soon old, too late smart." Thank you to the nameless Spanish Philatelist who told me about these. Potential poster buyers be aware that posters from pandorasbox555 in Spain may be original art and not reproductions but many were not collectables produced during the Civil War. Denny

Apr 18, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

I don't know why I did it, but I bought 46 original Civil War posters over the weekend. Even at my age sometime emotion still gets the better of my common sense. Oh well another new topic that I must now learn something about. Anybody out there collect Civil War posters? I need some "pearls of wisdom on these. Denny

Apr 14, 2009
AlanLeveritt <alan@arktimes.com

Sorry about the delay getting the auction up on this site. I just talked to Robert and he will have it up in the hour.

Apr 14, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

I just ordered the Civil War Military postcard book by Marti from Pablo Labarga. I guess a true book does not yet exist for the posters. Again, I thank Ralf and Enrique for all the help. AH, another field for me to learn. "Too soon old, too late smart". Denny

Apr 13, 2009
Ralf Reinhold
http://www.historiapostal.eu
Denny Here's a collection of SCW posters with comments in Spanish: http://www.elcantodelbuho.org/carteles/1A_GuerraCivil.html.

Another collection (from Caifornia): http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/speccoll/visfront/vizindex.html I think you'll be able to contact some of the USCD guys to help you finding more literature on PCs and posters. Ralf

Apr 13, 2009
Hal Shelton <h.shelton@verizon.net

These difficult economic times are impacting all of us. Maybe we directly, some family member, someone we know and here at SPS. Our club president, Alan Leveritt, owns a small business and has told us he will need to be focusing all his efforts on his business during the next several months. As a result, he does not have the time to put together the usual excellent Araña--spring 2009 edition. Is there another SPS member who would like to take on this activity? We will continue with the popular auction catalogue. The Auction #36 catalogue was mailed this morning to all club members and will be shortly posted on this web site. Hal

Apr 11, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

I need some help: I continue to add expand my Spanish Civil war philatelic library. The more I get into the field the more I know that I do not know. My question is "Are there Catalogs for the postal cards and larger posters that were printed during the Civil War" that are not write ups of just museum collections or graduate schools of universities. I am truly a dummy on this subject. Denny

Apr 11, 2009
Brian Knight

Denny, I got that from the SEC web site. I ventured there looking for something after seeing that the enforcement action by the government had been done. I think that the SEC website is a great source, though it can be a little tedious at time to try to find a particular piece of information.

To me, the most interesting deed uncovered was attempting to write up the value of the UN archive that he sold to Escala, yet, at the same time, he held back part of the promised inventory for himself. Unbelievable.

I must agree on the question - "Where is the ethical behavior?" I was going to avoid commentary for fear of going on a rant, but I am disgusted by this whole thing. I really feel for the many stamp dealers that I know who are truly upstanding and wonderful people.

Apr 10, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

Brian: An absolutely fascinating read. Where did you ever find this document. Did you get it from the SEC?? As a guy who many years ago ran a captive electonics operation($1B if product sold outside the company) for a major auto company, I know first hand what the opportunities are to do a damnable deed as alleged here.. What happened to ethics? With good auditors, you only can get away with this stuff for a certain period of time and then it collapses like a house of cards. My people may not have liked working for me, but they knew what my ethical standards were and they never had to worry about being caught up in a shady operation.

This brings to mind, way back when, the Minkus folks published a catalog for the "Sand Dune Countries" with ridiculously high prices. I wonder if there were shenanigans of this type.

I will repeat what I have said many times. Knowledge is power. If you are spending big money on stamps and covers, know the market. Read everything you can on your area of apecialization. Know the players in the market. Find someone with a good reputation that you can trust. If after several dealings you have a good feeling about someone, your "gut" is probably right. Keep asking questions? There is always more to learn. Seek other opinions. Catalogs are good because they provide an orderly numbering system, some printing facts, some usage facts. These are all good to know They also provide pricing guidance. I will emphasize the word guidance. Modify that guidance, maybe in a very big way, given your knowledge. A simple example. Look at the common 1937 Isabella 30c stamp Edifil 823 and compare it to the "Fournier Burgos" 30c 823A. I ask knew how many 100's do you see of 823 for every 823A you've seen. The prices should have more disparity than the catalogue shows. One last example on which you'll have to take my word for it. Look at Burgos local patriotic Burgos 18A and its varieties. The catalog prices for mint and used and variety to variety make no sense at all and half the major varieties are not even catalogued, Why is that the case? I have no idea. Why am I so confident in what I say?? that's because I have examined some 1,000 or so of these stamps and know the relative quantities that exist.

I repeat knowledge is power. Don't be a Bernie Madoff victin or a victim of the equivalent in the stamp world. Denny

Apr 09, 2009
Brian Knight <bknight.philately@gmail.com

For those people, like me, who do not subscribe to Barron's, you can read about the case against Escala in this SEC document.

Apr 09, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

I have never seen so many great Spanish Civil War stamps and covers on Ebay as there are currently. Not cheap, but great stuff. If you think the hobby will survive another generation, and before the dollar weakens in a couple years, if you have any cash you can spare, now looks like a great time to buy some good stuff and put it away. Again, as I am not a registered financial advisor,this is just my opinion.

As a follow up to Hal's earlier comments on Escala/Afinmsa/Manning, see the latest Linns Stamp news. Apparaently Manning and one other individual are alleged to have used the Barrett/Worthen catalog to set prices to suit for items they were buying/selling with Afinsa. Escala has settled with the Government. I was unaware of any interest the Manning folks had with that catalog. It makes you stop and think about the Edifil values sets in their catalogs since the Spanish stamp dealers control Edifil. Despite the questiojn of value, it is a magnificent of refernce works. I always have said there is nothing more valuable than your personal experiences regarding demand and supply. If you know or really believe an item is rare, it probably is, no matter what the catalog says the value is. The converse is also true. If you consider a item is common, don't pay one cent more than what you feel it is worth, even if the catalog says it is worth more.

Some would say, that much of today's EBAY prices from one seller are particularly high. I have to refute that statement because even though some of the listed items are outside my prime area of expertise, I have followed these items for over 40 years, and the prices, based on availability, seem OK to me. ( A disclaimer here. Some of the descriptions are mine, but I do not own the material and did not set the Ebay prices.) However, when you search the literature on these you find many without any lising, EVER, in any article, let alone any catalog. Remember, some of these items you may never see again in your lifetime.

Well as I now get down from my pulpit, I wish all of you and your family a Happy Easter or Passover as the case may be. Denny

Mar 31, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

I was happy to see that "yaritza2010" was able to sell his black Macia sheet on cover to a bidder for 350 euros on EBAY. I believe this now sets the floor for similar rarity of items at this quality level. Congratulations Carles on your sale. Hope you have many more. Denny

Mar 31, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

Hal: Thank you very much. I just pulled out the issue and marked the pages. I might have missed it. Thank you again. Denny

Mar 30, 2009
Hal Shelton <h.shelton@verizon.net

Denny pages 18-19. The rest of the article--Top Afinsa executives are now on trial for running the stamp-investment scheme, which Barron's exposed ("Sticky Situation,", May 23, 2005). The company, which described its stamps as a can't-lose investment, appeared to be paying returns to investors with money brought in from new investors. The Executives have denied any wrong-doing, saying the returns represented price appreciation of rate stamps. Escala's stock plummeted from 32 to less than 5 during the five trading days after the May 8, 2006, raid. It was subsequently delisted from Nasdaq and is currently tading on "pink sheets" at around $1.90."

Mar 29, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

Hal: Thanka for the info. I am 2 Barron's issues behind in my reading. I must look this article up. When I was following the Afinsa story some time back,it seems I remember that no one claimed that Manning Inc. was not selling to Afinsa. The thing that is new here is that some of this selling was happening off the books. Someone has not learned, that you only mess with the Tax Man at great risk to your company and yourself.

All: Since I don't buy stamps like I did in the past, I am not always up to date with the EBAY listings. I just looked at US EBAY under SPAIN and I notice there are about 40% more lisings than I remember, I don't know if some EBAY policy has changed and I missed it or there is some other reason. Also, I just noticed that many Military covers are being listed, If you read some of the descriptions, you might recognize the style of description as someone who has posted at this website for a long time. These covers are very difficult to describe because there is no single reference for this type of cover. I will vouch for the accuracy of most of the Military (not non IB covers) that are being listed. Denny

Mar 29, 2009
hal shelton <h.shelton@verizon.net

#2 Last week, the SEC charged Connecticut-based Escala (ticker:ESCL) with fraud. Citing evidence of "secret and dramatic manipulation" of stamp values by the comapny, the agency announced that it was suing Escala, its founder Greg Manning and former chief financial officer Larry Crawford for participating in fraud, and ordered them to pay unspecified monetry penalties. The company said it has reasched a settlement with the SEC, without admitting or denying the allegation, and agreed to cooperate with further investigations. Manning and Crawford couldn't be reached for comment. In 2006, Spanish police raided and closed, the headquarters of Afinsa, then the world's third largest collectibles outfit after Sotheby's and Chirsties's. Continued on next entry.

Mar 28, 2009
Hal Shelton <h.shelton@verizon.net

In Barron's dated 3/30 there is an article about a subject we have followed, titled SEC:Postage Due "The SEC has finally discovered Escala Group ,a global dealer and auctioneer of collectibles that has long raised our suspicions. Nearly five yearas ago, Barron's reported that the company, then called Greg Manning Auctions, appeared to be selling a larage portion of its stamp inventory to its Spanish-based parent without disclosing the transactions ("Return to Sender,"Sept, 2004). The parent, Afinsa Bienes Tangibles,in turn, was selling the stamps to individual investors in what Spanish authorities later called a Ponzi scheme. Continued next entry

Mar 28, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

Pedro: I forgot to tell you (It doesn't get any better the older I get), I did refile the Goering cover which I pulled from the EBay auction because someone said I was selling Nazi propaganga. I don't agree, but what can you do. I had quite a bit of correspondence with EBAY, but they do have to deal with laws of many different countries. Denny

Mar 28, 2009
Denny Florence <dennis.florence@comcast.net

Pedro: No one feels stronger about "building bridges for collectors" than I do. Our hobby needs more of it. That is why I have written articles for Arana, and reply to every question that people ask me about Civil War collecting. Keep up the fine work. Denny

Mar 28, 2009
pedro <tato1787@yahoo.com

hello Denny, thanks for telling me the Biography of Antonio, it was not necesary. I thought about you all when I saw the items of CW in their auctions. Anyone could realize that I was giving some info for CW collectors, THAtS all. I am happy when the people give information about auctions, collections or anything else that is on my field, and I send my thanks of course. whith that on mind, is how I get information from all over the world instead of scaring the people off. do you have the Cover or post card from Göring still??

About the items I have mentioned before, Spiro and Segui In Ebay.es, the sellers responded me by telling me thanks and also they wanted to learned, that's how is philately, building bridges of collectors is important.

I have seen Antonio's uncle and have made a few purchases from him in the past. His relative was the famous Armando Gomez Cepeda who had his sore in the same place. Denny There is more good Civil War material in more places with as I see it fewer bidders at the moment. Prior to last September it was safe to put out items with modest starting prices because you were quite sure multiple bidders would drive up that price. That is not the case for the same kind of items on EBAY at this moment. At big public auctions he starting prices of most of the lots have not come down. Because I don't buy much now I don't get the prices realized so I cannot comment on final selling prices or number of unsold lots. Although some folks disagree with me, the prices are not higher than I would pay at retail if I was still buying like I used to. On Spanish EBAY there are some outstanding Shelley IB covers and a beautiful large cover with a copy of the very rare black Macia souvenir sheet on it. The start bid on that cover is 350 euros. Most people could consider this a very high starting price. Maybe so, but the rarity of such an item would say it is a fair selling price. I will be following the item to see if it draws any bids. I have a fair amount of knowledge on this particular souvenir set of souvenir sheets as I have been following them for many years. Denny

In Ebay lot # 140309077067, the stamp of 1850,Edifil 5, 10 REALs, green, is...DO YOUR STUDIES.

Also in Ebay.es, there are two stamps from 1850, Edifil 3, 5 REALES...MADE BY sPIRO AND SEGUI. WITH BIDS ALREADY...:(

JAUME i STARTED THE PLATING OF EDIFIL 5, ARANA BLACK OBLITERATION. DO YOU HAVE ANY? iN EDIFIL 3, I NEED TYPE XIV.

Mar 26, 2009
pedro <tato1787@yahoo.com

Denny, there is an auction being held in Spain with some rare items from the Civil War. The name of the house is Filatelia H Colon from Sevilla, south in Spain. The owner is Antonio and the one who takes the bids is "Tere". It will be over at the end of this month. also, there was another auction in Valencia, Expo Galeria, with tremendous amount of Viñetas and items relatedd to the CW with a lot of information in some items and so forth. This auction is over and I believe, from one of my colegues, they are still available with all their parafarnalia.