Auction activities picked up again this month. Again we have Robert Siegel dominating the scene with some high realizations. Although other investment instruments are being shunned during this economic downturn, it seems 'investing' in rarities are on the rise.

A defective copy of the Hong Kong 10c on 16c yellow with surcharge inverted fetched £80,500 in Spink's February 12 sale. This is 258% up from its pre-sale estimate.

A block of 4 USA Offices in China $2.00 on $1.00 stamps were knocked down in Robert Siegel's February 25 sale for US$57,500. The following day, a USA 1899 1c yellow green with inverted 'PHILIPPINES' overprint sold for US$29,000, pre-sale estimate US$13,500.