For most of the last century the greatest stamp auction company in the world was Corinphila. Housed in Zurich, Switzerland, Corinphila had one or two auctions a year. But what auctions they were! The philatelic auction model in Europe was different than it is in the United States. For reasons relating to tax laws, there was no real stamp auction market in France. Nor was there much of one in Italy. Germany and Scandinavia had active philatelic auctions, but no nation approached the philatelic powerhouse that was Switzerland. In the olden days, much of philately at the higher end was tax driven. Currency controls made it difficult to move money out of one country and into another. But there was always stamps. Collections were made in Brazil or Poland and sold in Switzerland and who knows into what account the monies were deposited.
Corinphila was at the top of the Swiss stamp auction business and their model is one that they still follow today. They would hold only one or two auctions a year and in the old days they were great philatelic events, often with over ten thousand lots lasting two weeks or more and grossing as much as $25 million at a shot. Only the rarest of the rare qualified for individual stamp lots and a curt three line description of a specialized multi volume collection could be followed by an estimate in the mid five figures. There were no scans or even any collection photos so collectors and dealers spent weeks viewing the annual treasures that were for sale. Collections had to qualify for Corinphila auctions. Only the most interesting, specialized and highest quality was allowed. And the estimates of the value of the lots were a running philatelic joke. One Serbia collection I looked at in the 1970's had an estimate of Chf 200 and I thought my bid of a thousand made me competitive. It brought Chf 28000. The Corinphila auctions were a delight and, though the company is still great today, different banking laws and the exigencies of the stamp market have made it just another large successful stamp company. But those of us who got to live in the philatelic village that was Corinphila auctions will never forget them.
Corinphila was at the top of the Swiss stamp auction business and their model is one that they still follow today. They would hold only one or two auctions a year and in the old days they were great philatelic events, often with over ten thousand lots lasting two weeks or more and grossing as much as $25 million at a shot. Only the rarest of the rare qualified for individual stamp lots and a curt three line description of a specialized multi volume collection could be followed by an estimate in the mid five figures. There were no scans or even any collection photos so collectors and dealers spent weeks viewing the annual treasures that were for sale. Collections had to qualify for Corinphila auctions. Only the most interesting, specialized and highest quality was allowed. And the estimates of the value of the lots were a running philatelic joke. One Serbia collection I looked at in the 1970's had an estimate of Chf 200 and I thought my bid of a thousand made me competitive. It brought Chf 28000. The Corinphila auctions were a delight and, though the company is still great today, different banking laws and the exigencies of the stamp market have made it just another large successful stamp company. But those of us who got to live in the philatelic village that was Corinphila auctions will never forget them.