About
Raritan Stamps, Inc. is an established international philatelic auction house based in Cranbury, New Jersey, conducting quarterly live bidding auctions featuring approximately 1,500 individual lots per sale. Their auctions cover rare worldwide stamps and postal history, with a particular strength in Russian Imperial, RSFSR, and Soviet Union stamps, including Zemstvo issues. Coverage extends to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Baltic States, Georgia, Russian Finland, Poland, Tannu Tuva, and Ukraine. Beyond Russian material, each auction showcases British Commonwealth stamps, Asian philatelic material, European stamps and covers, and worldwide Zeppelin and Pioneer Flights covers. Bidding is accessible in person at their New Jersey office, by telephone, or in real time via the Internet. For collectors who prefer direct purchasing, Raritan offers curated mail-order price lists covering Russian and Soviet Union stamps (1858–1991), North Korean stamps (1946–90), and Vietnamese stamps (1951–95). Sellers can consign worldwide collections, accumulations, single rare stamps, or postal history at a competitive 10% sales commission, with no charges for unsold lots and optional interest-free advance payment of up to 50% of the estimate. The company also provides professional expert opinion, appraisal, and consultation services for rare philatelic material.
Key Features
- Quarterly Live Bidding Auctions: Approximately 1,500 lots per auction, accessible in person, by phone, or in real time over the Internet.
- Russian & Soviet Stamp Specialization: World's leading dealer in Soviet CCCP and Russian stamps, covering Imperial, RSFSR, Zemstvo, and all regional issues.
- Mail-Order Price Lists: Curated price lists for direct purchase of Russian/Soviet (1858–1991), North Korean (1946–90), and Vietnamese (1951–95) stamps.
- Consignment & Selling Services: Accept worldwide collections and single rarities for consignment at 10% commission, with no fees for unsold lots and optional 50% advance payment.
- Expert Appraisal & Consultation: Professional expert opinions and valuations for Russian Imperial stamps, Zemstvo issues, Soviet material, and broader worldwide philatelic items.
Use Cases
- Philatelists seeking rare Russian Imperial, Zemstvo, RSFSR, or Soviet Union stamps at competitive auction prices.
- Collectors building specialized collections of worldwide airmail, Zeppelin flights, or Pioneer Flights covers.
- Sellers and estates looking to consign valuable stamp collections or single rarities to a trusted auction house.
- Researchers and dealers needing professional appraisal or expert certification of rare philatelic material.
- Collectors of North Korean or Vietnamese stamps looking to purchase items directly from curated price lists.
Pros
- World-Class Russian Stamp Expertise: Recognized globally as the leading dealer in Soviet and Russian stamps, offering unmatched depth and authenticity assurance.
- Low Commission, No Unsold Fees: Sellers pay only 10% on successful lots with zero charges for unsold material, plus optional interest-free advances.
- Flexible Bidding Options: Supports in-person, telephone, and live Internet bidding, making auctions accessible to international collectors.
- Broad Worldwide Coverage: Beyond Russian material, auctions include British Commonwealth, Asian, European, and worldwide airmail/Zeppelin covers.
Cons
- Infrequent Auction Schedule: Quarterly auctions mean collectors may wait months between opportunities to bid on new lots.
- Niche Market Focus: Primarily serves serious philatelists; casual collectors or non-stamp hobbyists will find limited relevance.
- No Publicly Listed Buy Prices: Acquisition costs for auction lots vary by bid competition, making budgeting less predictable compared to fixed-price retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I participate in a Raritan Stamps live auction?
You can bid in person at the Cranbury, New Jersey office, by telephone (contact Raritan in advance to register), or in real time over the Internet by registering through their website on the day of the auction.
What types of stamps and philatelic material does Raritan Stamps specialize in?
Raritan Stamps is the world's leading dealer in Soviet (CCCP) and Russian stamps, covering all historical periods including Imperial, Zemstvo, RSFSR, and Soviet Union issues. Auctions also feature British Commonwealth, Asian, European, and worldwide airmail and Zeppelin flight covers.
How do I sell or consign my stamp collection through Raritan Stamps?
Raritan accepts worldwide collections, accumulations, single rare stamps, and postal history for consignment. The commission is 10% of the sale price, with no charges for unsold lots. They can also provide interest-free advance payment of up to 50% of the estimate.
Can I buy stamps directly without participating in an auction?
Yes. Raritan Stamps offers mail-order price lists for Russian and Soviet Union stamps (1858–1991), North Korean stamps (1946–90), and Vietnamese stamps (1951–95), available through the Price Lists section of their website.
Does Raritan Stamps provide stamp appraisal or expert opinions?
Yes. The company offers professional expert opinions, appraisals, and consultations for Russian Imperial stamps (including Zemstvo), RSFSR, Soviet Union stamps, and broader worldwide philatelic material.
