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The Prestigious Collection "La Fayette"

On behalf of the Houses of Spink, established in London in 1666 and the world’s leading auction house for Collectables, and Behr, represented by Pascal Behr expert of the auction, established in 1920 and France’s leading stamp dealership, we are delighted to present jointly this amazing auction of the prestigious “La Fayette Collection” of errors of France’s classic era.

A “formidable alliance” for a formidable collection
This prestigious assignment really started when we both met in Normandy and realized that combining the most recognized expertise for French Classics, on one hand, and unparalleled auction expertise, on the other, could have a major impact both on the market and on the continued revival of French philately. We are delighted that the vendor saw the benefits of our unique and innovative proposal. Quickly our expectations were exceeded and the market saw our partnership in this project as a “formidable alliance”, as described by many journalists and trade observers, in France and overseas. While encouraged by the market reception of the collection, we combined our in house specialists with the most renowned international experts on French Classics. Throughout the preparation of the catalogue, it has been a real “entente cordiale” between Paris, London and the private collector, who had the vision and the passion to build this remarkable collection.

A catalogue of reference for generations of stamps collectors
We hope that you will appreciate this catalogue as much as the team that took pleasure in preparing it. What a privilege it has been to spend a few months in the company of some of the greatest world philatelic rarities. For example, Dr Norman Hubbard has described, in his Aristocrats of Philately, the mythical block of four with tête-bêche of 1f vermillion as one of the top eight greatest world rarities.

The La Fayette Collection is probably the best collection of French classics currently in existence. It boasts most of the greatest rarities of France, very often unique pieces which have passed through the most prestigious collectors of all times, like Ferrari, Champion, Burrus, to name a few. Three generations of Behrs have actually sold some of these unique pieces by private treaty transactions in the course of the 20th century, and were instrumental in the discovery of some of these pieces, while many other prestigious dealers saw some of these pieces pass through their hands.

The return of prestigious stamp auctions in Paris
Spink as the premier auction house for the world’s greatest philatelic rarities, and under its new independent ownership, could not dream of a better start for its presence in France and Continental Europe. For over three centuries, Spink has been focusing on servicing discerning royalties and collectors all over the world and its services are now available in France.

We certainly look forward to seeing again these unbelievable rarities auctioned in Paris, and hope that this auction will revive the auction market for stamps in France after some legendary landmark auctions like Ferrari in 1924.

These unique errors and tête bêches errors have turned our heads, but our vermillion and etrusque dreams have now come true. It is now your turn to share our passion for the amazing La Fayette Collection through this catalogue. If you are a French specialist, a collector interested by the world’s greatest rarities, or a beginner in the “hobby of the kings and king of hobbies”, we wish you a pleasurable experience going through this catalogue and auction, and we hope to see all of you in Paris on 17 November, for what will probably be a new auction of reference for European Philately.