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We are interested in your antique postage stamps

«I was advised soundly and the revenues were pleasing. My father's collection will be in good hands.»

Verena Meier, Seller
We will gladly assist you in the following areas:

Appraisals and purchase of your trouvailles

Online and large auctions

Floor business and mail order

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Philately at the Cape of Good Hope

The blue stamps were smuggled out of the South African town of Mafeking on a letter on 9 May 1900. These stamps are the silent witnesses of the prevailing war at that time, the Boer War.  These stamps are the witness to the creation of the Scout movement which came about as a result of the war. A secret postal service using children and teenagers was organised in order to be able to maintain contact with the outside world. Over a 100 years later the Mafeking letter turned up at the Rolli Auction.  The rarity of such stamps driven by the fascination of the participants at the venue and by online bidders resulted in a memorable battle for ownership.

Zanzibar attraction

Letters travel the world over. So did such a letter which was posted in 1873 from St. Gallen to Zanzibar. Even in this day and age this remote destination still seems exotic. What is even more astonishing is that this letter which probably related to events in the St. Gallen cotton industry found its way back to Switzerland. With great attention to detail Rölli Auctions and Philately prepared and auctioned this unique lot. The exotic nature of this letter rubbed off creating an atmosphere of excitement during the auction until it changed hands at almost 10 times its starting price. Yet another highlight at the Rölli auction.

Homage to a life’s work

It was 1972 when Mr. M. from Lucerne first discovered his passion for Philately.  This passion was driven by his realisation that such fascinating but unobtainable art works, were often featured on stamps.  Over time Mr. M. amassed a collection of 150 albums which stunned Rölli and Philately Auctions. The collection comprised stamps from the most diverse eras, genres and regions.  After his death, Mr. M.’s life’s work was sensitively divided and auctioned by Rölli Philately Auction. A task which could only be taken on successfully by our team as we have the right experience and an eye for detail.

Historical Snapshot of Swiss Wartime

It was during the second world war – a time of rationing due to a shortage of supplies – when the Swiss Postal administration received a complaints form. A resident from Basel complained that they had not received a package containing 10 ration coupons for charcoal. Such ration coupons were painstakingly collected to be used for car engines. Because the consignment was not sent by registered mail the whereabouts of the coupons could not be established. This complaints slip finally ended up in the safe possession of Rölli Philately Auctions where as a piece of Swiss history it awaits a new owner.

Good fortune knows no boundaries

It was always anticipated that the Chinese redband letter from the Asian Philately batch would bring good fortune. In Chinese culture the colour red along with a letter is thought to be lucky. No one predicted that such a spectacular bidding war would break out at the 52nd Rölli auction.  After the redband letter found its way to Lucerne two Chinese citizens began out bidding each other via telephone link. Everyone was holding their breath until finally the redband letter changed ownership for an enormous price before starting its 9,000 kilometre journey back home.

Visit our sales office in the industrial zone of Rothenburg near Lucerne

Stamps for your postage: have a look at our latest collection

Take advantage of our honest and efficient philatelic services:

Do you have stamps for sale?

We are always interested in new items, mainly antique (minimum 60 years old and in good condition). We also source and buy individual pieces and collections on behalf of clients for cash and at market prices.

We are highly satisfied with the business you did for us. The auction catalogue is very interesting and a collector's item itself!

Collector, Canada

News

Company holidays

Our company will be closed from 23 December 2023 to 9 January 2024. We will be happy to be there for you from Wednesday 10 January 2024.

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Good fortune knows no boundaries

The Significance of Chinese Letters Its 1913 and you find yourself in Southern China, miles away from Switzerland at a time of revolution and change. The end of the Qing Dynasty and the declaration of the Chinese Republic is a year away. Difficult times for many people who are desperate for good news. In the

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Homage to a life’s work

The union of Philately and Art On a grey autumnal day in 1972 Mr M ambled along the banks of the river Seine in Paris and not far from the Louvre he spotted something in a shop window which immediately drew his attention.  This was a new French stamp featuring ‘Femme au Jardin’ by Claude Monet.

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Philately at the Cape of Good Hope

Silent Witnesses Cape of Good Hope 1900: the second Boer war between the Orange Free State, the South African Republic and Great Britain rages on and the city of Mafeking has been under siege for 217 days.  Under the leadership of Colonel Robert Baden-Powell the British troops try to defend the city against the attacking

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Zanzibar attraction

A philatelic journey of adventure Zanzibar a former pirate stronghold in the Indian Ocean, a tiny paradise of pure white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue waters and shady palm trees. This is how it probably looked in 1873 when at 5 pm in the evening in St. Gallen, 8000 kilometres away, a letter with an

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Missing ration coupons

Historical Snapshot of Swiss Wartime In May 1945 during world war two, Georg Wenger from Basle submitted a complaint slip to the Swiss Post Office. This was a complaint that his order to a garage called Schimd in Frick was never delivered. The war had left its mark on Switzerland. Whilst Switzerland was never invaded,

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