About
Behr Philatelie is one of France's most established philately houses, operating as a family business since 1920. Based in Paris (Rue Drouot) and Geneva, the company offers a comprehensive range of philatelic services for collectors, investors, and enthusiasts alike. Their core offering is periodic mail auctions (Vente sur Offres), with each edition featuring hundreds of carefully curated lots spanning French philatelic history — from the iconic Cérès 1849–1850 issues and Empire non-dentelé 1853–1860, through the Siège de Paris 1870–1871, Empire Lauré, Groupe Allégorique, and into modern France, carnets (booklets), and airmail stamps. Beyond auctions, Behr Philatelie provides professional estimation and expertise services. Estimation establishes the commercial market value of a stamp, letter, or full collection, while expertise documents the item's catalog reference, condition, color, and — most critically — its authenticity. All lots are expertised by Pascal Behr personally. The platform supports secure online payment, making it accessible to international collectors. Realized prices from past auctions are published for transparency and market reference. A newsletter keeps registered collectors informed of upcoming sales. Behr Philatelie is the ideal destination for serious collectors seeking authenticated French classical and modern philatelic material.
Key Features
- Curated Mail Auctions: Regular Vente sur Offres (VSO) editions featuring hundreds of philatelic lots covering all major French stamp eras, from Cérès 1849 to modern France.
- Professional Stamp Expertise: Expert Pascal Behr personally certifies each stamp's catalog number, condition, color, and authenticity, providing buyers with reliable provenance.
- Collection Valuation & Estimation: Commercial valuation services for individual stamps, covers, and entire collections to help owners understand current market value.
- Realized Price Archive: Published hammer prices from past auctions provide collectors and investors with transparent market reference data.
- Secure Online Payment: Integrated secure online payment system allows international collectors to participate and pay conveniently.
Use Cases
- Collectors seeking to acquire rare or classic French stamps through authenticated, expertised auction lots.
- Philatelic investors looking for transparent market pricing data via published realized auction prices.
- Stamp owners wishing to obtain a professional commercial valuation of their individual items or entire collections.
- Buyers requiring certified expert authentication (expertise certificate) for insurance, sale, or catalog purposes.
- Enthusiasts building thematic or period-specific French philatelic collections from Cérès 1849 through modern issues.
Pros
- Century-Long Heritage: Operating since 1920 as a family business, Behr Philatelie brings unmatched tradition, trust, and deep philatelic expertise to every sale.
- Personal Expert Authentication: All lots are personally expertised by Pascal Behr, ensuring buyers receive authenticated, accurately described material.
- Wide Historical Coverage: Auctions span the full breadth of French philatelic history, from the earliest classical issues to modern stamps and airmail, catering to diverse collector interests.
Cons
- French-Language Platform: The website is primarily in French, which may present a barrier for non-French-speaking international collectors despite some bilingual auction titles.
- Periodic Auction Schedule: As a mail auction house, lots are only available during scheduled auction windows, limiting spontaneous purchasing opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Vente sur Offres (VSO)?
A Vente sur Offres (VSO) is a mail auction where bidders submit written or online offers for philatelic lots. At the close of the auction, the highest offer wins each lot at a price typically 20% above the next-highest bid or at the starting price minus 20% if unsold.
How does Behr Philatelie's expertise service work?
Expertise involves a certified specialist (Pascal Behr) examining your stamp or cover to confirm its catalog reference, condition grade, color classification, and authenticity. A certificate is issued documenting these findings.
Can international collectors participate in the auctions?
Yes. Behr Philatelie supports secure online payment and accepts bids from international collectors. You can create an account on their website to participate in mail auctions.
Where is Behr Philatelie located?
Behr Philatelie has two locations: 18 Rue Drouot, 75009 Paris, France, and Rue Albert-Gos 5, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland.
How can I get my stamp collection valued?
You can contact Behr Philatelie directly by phone (+33 1 43 12 37 67) or email ([email protected]) to arrange an estimation and expertise appointment for your stamps, covers, or entire collection.
