WHY SELL YOUR COLLECTION THROUGH C.G.F.A.?

EXPERTISE:

* Charles’ general philatelic knowledge and especially that of British North America, including Postal History, is extensive. He has specialized in British North America's first issues for 37 years and still maintains a collection. Charles has written and published several handbooks and articles on British North America Philately and has lectured extensively on the subject.

* Our research facilities are outstanding, and are used extensively in the preparation of all auction lots. This permits us to seek out any significant factors which may affect the value of material offered for sale. Having been the leading Philatelic Literature auctioneer in the world for thirteen years has had it benefits - our library is TOPS!

* Charles has served on the APS Expert Committee and serves as consultant to several other expert committees as well.

* Charles has been providing a weekly column on Stamp Errors that has been running in Mekeel’s Stamp Weekly since 1996.

* We make every effort to logically break down consignments into smaller lots so that items are not unnecessarily grouped together or overlooked. We attempt to lot the way our customers want to buy, generally as individual items or sets.

* A collection is broken down to achieve the maximum number of lots. This provides a broader choice of affordable material to be presented to the bidders. Thus, more buyers become available for your collection. Simply put, bidders are provided with a broader group of lower priced lots from which to choose. Lots that can, therefore, fit within their budget.

SERVICE:

* Having been a prominent member of many associations, he has served as a Director of the American Stamp Dealers Association as well as the Canadian Stamp Dealers Association and has served on their Boards including Ethics, Auctions, etc..

* Additional service was provided as President, Director, Judge and Convention Chairman of the 1,250 member British North America Philatelic Society over many years and is recently the American Liaison for the Canadian Philatelic Society of Great Britain.

* Charles has served philately in organizational areas such as Society President, Board Member, Convention Organizer, Exhibition Judge, Chairman of the Jury, etc..

RECOGNITION:

* The service and integrity of the Firby team is legendary. Just ask anyone that has ever dealt with us.

* CGFA is renowned worldwide for handling premiere collections. In 1996 we brought the famous Sandford Fleming Essay to the auction block for the very first time since 1851. It was presented once again in our January 24, 2004 auction, realizing twice the 1996 realization at $110,000.00 hammer. The promotion created what is undoubtedly the highest realization ever for a proof or essay of the world. In addition, CGFA retains the record for the highest price ever realized for a Canadian stamp at auction, set in 1988.

* The Firby firm has traditionally been selected by many of philately’s leading collectors to offer their collections. A look at our list of consignors reads like a Who’s Who of Canadian as well as other areas within Philately: A partial list is available upon request.

* We are quite proud of having been selected to auction the collections formed by well over 2,000 collectors over the years.

OUR CUSTOMERS:

* Having been the world’s leading Philatelic Literature auctioneer for 13 years has, consequently, helped us create a mailing list of worldwide buyers that have provided us with their collecting interests. This specialized interest list is available to produce strong results for our consignors.

* We have the buyers! Our client list includes nearly 7,500 names of collectors of all disciplines, throughout the world. As a result of specialization, approximately 2,500 catalogues per auction are produced in Canada or England and distributed to those collectors on our mailing list with interests in the material on offer in each specific sale. This list is the culmination of our past extensive advertising campaigns to reach collectors of all areas within philately.

PROMOTION:

* We run strong pre sale advertising campaigns to solicit interested buyers in the prominent Linn’s Philatelic weekly (USA), as well as selected journals and periodicals such as Stanley Gibbons Monthly (UK) and Canadian Philatelist (Canada), with several appearances. Heightened anticipation to the potential buyer is the additional benefit of this approach.

* Internet notices are sent out to our entire client list 2-3 times leading up to an auction. Auction highlights are noted and catalogue links provided for the recipients ease of locating your material. Thus, more buyers become available to compete for your collection.

* We prefer to offer important specialized collections as NAME SALES and are prepared to build a major auction around suitable collections. Given prompt delivery of your collection, we will further add to the importance of the sale by the inclusion of complimentary properties if possible. Yes, the old saying "The more the merrier" holds true with philatelic offerings: Ask why! You may be surprised by the answer, but you will recognize the truth in the statement. No additional charge is made for this select treatment of special collection.

CATALOGUES:

* Our catalogues are well thought out, and laid out in a manner that attracts buyers and their bids. Our full (or enlarged) size, full color photographs (usually 75%+ of the lots) are (to quote a competitive auctioneer) "The best in the business" (he was a professional photographer prior to becoming a stamp auctioneer). The descriptions are complete and educational. These factors induce potential bidders to participate, or at least subscribe to our catalogues, thereby providing collectors with a far greater chance of finding a needed stamp or cover. We further schedule the time and date that Special Sections are offered keeping travelers in mind.

* Our catalogues have won many literature awards including gold medals as well as Best of Class. In fact, we hold two places in the prestigious Top 25 U.S. Philatelic Auction Catalogs of the 20th Century as determined by Scott Publishing.

* Catalogue distribution is approximately 4-5 weeks prior to the auction: This provides plenty of time for potential bidders to make plans.

* Additional catalogues are made available to respondents of internet, newspaper and journal advertising. Printed catalogues are always sent to various societies archives, museums and stamp shows for distribution to anyone that is interested.

*To examine a recent online catalogue with prices realized, visit our website, several are available for your study.

INTERNET:

.* Our sales are posted on our website, www.FirbyAuctions.com as well as at www.StampAuctionNetwork.com, approximately 30 days prior to each sale. Nearly all lots are posted with enlarged images of the items in each lot.

* Bidders may place bids while viewing the lots, which makes their involvement in the auction as easy and seamless as possible, or they may come back to the site to bid, bid by telephone, mail, fax or by utilizing the services of an agent.

* We often receive requests for additional information regarding the lots, etc. from collectors new to us, who saw items of interest on the net. They are invited to contact us in any manner of their choosing. We will always be available for consultation

VENUE AND VIEWING:

* The sale will generally be held in our offices which are in the Detroit, Michigan (USA) area. We are located on a major highway north of Detroit, which is central to the US and Canadian population centers: We are thus close to where the buyers are. This has proven to be a welcome and conveniently accessible location as mentioned by previous auction attendees. It is only a 4.5 hour drive from Toronto or Chicago to our offices. Our auction room floor ALWAYS has several visitors from out of town in attendance.

* Auction lots are often put on exhibition at various stamp shows to permit viewing to collectors in different cities. This provides the benefit of permitting us to reach new buyers as well as providing a personal service to our distant customers.

* Viewing has been, and can be, made available in London, England, Toronto and New York for the convenience of buyers in those areas. We have conducted auctions in Toronto and Chicago, etc.. These, as well as a New York auction venue, can be arranged for suitable properties.

* Sales are conducted in US dollars. An added incentive to Canadian consignors.

INSURANCE:

* Stamps will be held fully insured by our carrier, The Collectibles Insurance Agency, for a mutually agreeable amount while on our premises or in transit until title and risk passes to the purchaser: There is no charge to the consignor.

COMMISSION:

* An industry competitive sellers commission of only 15% with no additional charges for travel, lotting or photos (as charged by some of our competitors), etc. applies for most properties.

SETTLEMENT:

* Prompt unconditional payment will be made within 45 days after the auction date for all lots except the few which may be placed on extension for certification by an expert group (this extends the settlement date), or those where extended terms (E.P.P. Plan) were provided in order to induce bidder participation (please inquire about this unique service which we provide to our buyers). A consignor’s participation in the Extended Payment Plan is subject to consignor approval.

* Cash advances are always available for suitable collections or single rarities.

* If selling outright is more to your liking, we are in a position and prepared to purchase your stamps or covers.