Baldwin's upcoming British India sale

[bagerap]

The David Fore collection comes up at Baldwins soon. More info:
http://www.baldwin.co.uk/fore/

[Harry]

Dr. David Fore British India collection Part I will be auctioned by Baldwin on May 7th, 2013.  Read the intro here:  http://www.baldwin.co.uk/fore-collection/

It consists of 724 lots  – British India Uniform coinage 1835-1947 original proofs, re-strikes and OMS ! To say it's spectacular might be an understatement. 

Check it out:  http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/baldwins/catalogue-id-2867826

[anand]

having a catalogue for this collection might just work as a guide as well to other collectors for the rare pieces and awesome condition. The catalogue might be an easy reference if one does not have PR or SW. Simply stunning collection!

[@josephjk]

It's almost a shame it's going to get scattered...but like Anand said at least we have the images all together...

[Harry]

Yeah, its a very good reference.  The images are amazing. You can count every bead, berry, dot, single curl, double curl, diamonds, test marks  and hairline on the coin!!!  Why do you think I wasn't able to sleep last night   

[anand]

I waiting for the catalogues of the other two auctions as well. currency issues would appeal to a broader set of collectors than proof issues (including myself).

This catalogue also kind of acts as a way to confirm existence of some OMS strikes (the original ones i am referring to)

[zwiggy]

anyone has a million dolllars to lend me???

That is a nice collection! It is amazing that there 724 proofs, original proofs and off metal strikes together...

[Vivek]

Hello All
Can anyone bid for these coins? what is the procedure?
Please share some details..Has any one has purchased coins from Bladwin's after bidding?
Vivek

[KPC]

Hi!
Seconding to your question Vivek, i would like to know can these coins be shipped into India and also i had read on the Baldwin site that the import documents for your purchase should be arranged by the buyer.
If anyone can let me know about the necessary procedures, i would like to bid on a few coins!

[Vivek]

message from Harry
For starters, Dr. Fore's collection in my view is probably the best British India collection ever assembled and probably the best that will every be as to put something like this together today, even with lots of money is very hard.

The auction is open to the public.  There are many collectors from India who bid on Baldwin's auctions and you can be pretty sure that for this auction alot of the heavy bidding will come from India too. Baldwin uses the-salesroom.com to   handle their internet bidders and it is through the site one can participate on the live bidding on 7 May 2013 at 10am London time.  You need to register first with the-salesroom.com and get an account. Once you have this you will now have to register for the Baldwin auction #78.  You can view their help files. Here is one:  http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/about-us/faqs/live-bidding/buying-how-to-sign-up

Part I is proofs and restrikes,  Part 2 is patterns (this is the key auction) (end May) and Part 3 is Native States and Mint State (Sept 2013)
Harry

[brokencompass]

@Harry, I have been sleepless thinking about it too. The 1862 1/4 anna Original proof keeps staring at me in my dream, calling out to me. I came very close to selling my car reasoning to myself that there is more I could with an original proof than drive around with a car. I then realized I was taking it way too far. The selling with just have to stop with my garage sale of coins that don't seem important anymore.

@Import questions, I strongly suggest not to put yourself through the unpredictability of weathering Indian customs. Even if you pay the official 14.5% fee you might still have sleepless nights hoping it doesn't get lost somewhere. I suggest shipping it to a friend in the UK or US and have it hand carried to India to circumvent the unpredictability of customs and save a few bucks.

I really hope I can win some Original proofs at reasonable prices!!

[Figleaf]

I would suggest that those who can't borrow a million dollars settle for the catalogue. It is bound to become a reference document.

Warning: I have a few of such milestone catalogues, including the Serooskerke, Wayte Raymond and Schulman jubilee auctions and I don't use them in practice.

Peter

[anand]

I would suggest that those who can't borrow a million dollars settle for the catalogue. It is bound to become a reference document.

I am slowly preparing myself for just that. Looking at the way in general prices for British India have been going, the catalogue itself is going to be priced possession i guess.

[Harry]

Seconding to your question Vivek, i would like to know can these coins be shipped into India and also i had read on the Baldwin site that the import documents for your purchase should be arranged by the buyer.
If anyone can let me know about the necessary procedures, i would like to bid on a few coins!

KPC - nice profile pic - love the stamp. The same design is also used at the back of the KGV Rs 10



but this is a discussion for another topic.  Getting back to your question, about the import documents, I would suggest  investigating this further, you can start by asking Baldwin how other buyers from India arrange for shipment of their products to India.  You can contact them here, they are pretty good at responding http://www.baldwin.co.uk/contact-us/ . Maybe once you find out you can post back so others will know.

Warning: I have a few of such milestone catalogues, including the Serooskerke, Wayte Raymond and Schulman jubilee auctions and I don't use them in practice.

Peter I agree, I too have many catalogues that I never reference.  However, catalogues that are written by Randy Weir tend to be very different as he puts a lot of notes. These notes are quite educational and is not always about selling the coin. For example in the Diana collection he wrote a lot of useful notes about how to differentiate between a restrike and an original proof. I have referenced the Diana collection (also a Baldwin auction) many times.  I am hoping that Randy Weir will also include informative notes in the David Fore collection catalogues.  I think these catalogues will be selling for £15 each + shipping from Baldwins but I have found that many times you can get them cheaper from dealers after the auction.

@Harry, I have been sleepless thinking about it too. The 1862 1/4 anna Original proof keeps staring at me in my dream, calling out to me. I came very close to selling my car reasoning to myself that there is more I could with an original proof than drive around with a car. I then realized I was taking it way too far. The selling with just have to stop with my garage sale of coins that don't seem important anymore.
....
I really hope I can win some Original proofs at reasonable prices!!

Yes I'm very excited too. Although I don't have a million dollars but I don't think you need a million dollars to bid.   Proof and patterns will be expensive but I'm hoping that the business strikes and some of the native and princely states will have something for every budget. The business strikes will be in part 3 (Sept 2013).  However, don't dismiss this auction because you think it will be out of reach, you never know ... maybe you can keep your car and get some nice coins!

To me the 1/2 Anna proofs are simply stunning, not to mention that 1835 Rupee original proof, the 1840 Rupee CL original proof and .... the list goes on!

[KPC]

KPC - nice profile pic - love the stamp. The same design is also used at the back of the KGV Rs 10



but this is a discussion for another topic.  Getting back to your question, about the import documents, I would suggest  investigating this further, you can start by asking Baldwin how other buyers from India arrange for shipment of their products to India.  You can contact them here, they are pretty good at responding http://www.baldwin.co.uk/contact-us/ . Maybe once you find out you can post back so others will know.

Harry-Thanks for appreciating the profile pic, as British India Papermoney and coins are expensive stamps suffice your collecting needs for time being. Thanks for the link, i would get in touch with the Baldwin team and post a reply soon.