America's Oldest Philatelic Auction House, established in 1885, Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC., conducted a record breaking auction in New York City, with a 98% sell-through of lots. The sale, which was conducted in conjunction with Heritage Auctions' Platinum Sports Memorabilia, Comics & Comic Art and Animation Arts auctions on February 23-24, 2013, took place at the luxuriant Fletcher-Sinclair mansion on 79th Street. Interest was frenzied in many of the lots with bidding often exceeding twice or more of the pre-sale estimates. Some of the highlights included and broken down by sale are listed below.

The first of four catalogs, a United States collection dubbed the "Weston" collection, which, in addition to selling the 453 lots offered in its entirety, sold at over 165% of the pre-sale estimate. Sample prices (which include an 18% buyer's premium) include $1,770.00 for a mint previously hinged $5 Marshall (#313 Lot 208); $18,880.00 for a 4¢ Bluish Paper (#360 Lot 228); 3¢ Orangeburg coil used (#389 Lot 251) $14,160.00, which is 35% above catalog value and almost twice the estimate; Coil Waste Rarity 1¢ (#596 Lot 325) with a postal cancel at $73,750.00; 2¢ Harding Perf 11 rotary (#613 Lot 326) for $24,780.00.

The second session, which featured the iconic San Francisco coin dealer Robert R. Johnson collection of the United States first issues, dubbed the "1847 Gold Rush Collection", contained over 300 lots and also sold almost in its entirety, fetching above the estimate. An earliest recorded use of the 5¢ without postmark but datelined sold in the sale for $24,780.00. The average price for a 5¢ 1847 (#1) was $390.00 with a high of nearly $1,300.00 and the average price for 10c was $875.00, with a high of $3,300.00.

The third session, which featured one man's collection of the world called the "Towson" Collection, realized almost 150% of the auction estimates. Of the 614 lots offered, over 600 sold and realized in aggregate $682,040.00. Bids were received from around the world with many from Europe and Asia.

The fourth and final session, featuring the remainder of the Robert R. Johnson Stock and Collection, reached above the estimates in many cases, with the following examples: $2 orange and black plate # block of 8 (Scott #523 Lot 1749) and likely the finest example known fetched $25,960.00 in active bidding; a set of the ever-popular Zeppelin stamps (#C13-15 Lot 1812) realized $21,240.00, which exceeded the $19,100.00 catalog value; and a rare earliest recorded Texas Republic cover bearing a postal adhesive realized $17,110.00.

Owners Laurence Gibson and David Coogle were keen on the overall results and commented that the market for better quality stamps, postal history and collections remains strong with the firm. Gibson stated "the world marketplace has changed with the internet and having a fully staffed office in Hong Kong, as well as the association with Heritage Auctions, makes a huge impact on prices".

The firm's next auction is scheduled for March 16-18th at its offices in Danbury, Connecticut. The next New York City auction is scheduled April 11-14th at the New Yorker Hotel and is being held in conjunction with the National Postage Stamp Show featured by the ASDA. The firm accepts consignments for its upcoming public sales as well as for its weekly online internet sales.

Highlights Include
Lot 208 previously hinged $5 Marshall Sold for $1,770	Lot 228 4c Bluish Paper Sold for $18,880	Lot 251 3c Orangeburg coil used Sold for $14,160	Lot 325 Coil Waste Rarity 1c Sold for $73,750
Lot 326 2c Harding Perf 11 rotary Sold for $24,780	Lot 1749 $2 orange and black plate # block of 8 Sold for $25,960
Lot 1812 a set of the ever-popular Zeppelin stamps Sold for $21,240