Auctions
How to Bid
Bidding at auction is simpler than you might expect. Wherever you’re starting from, this guide covers everything you need to participate with confidence.
01
Absentee bid
Submit your maximum bid in advance. The auctioneer bids on your behalf up to that limit.
02
Online Live
Follow the auction in real time and place bids from anywhere via our online platform.
03
Telephone
A team member calls you during the auction so you can bid live on specific lots of interest.
04
In person
Attend the auction room in Ottawa and bid directly on sale day.
Step by Step
From catalogue to collection, here's how a Sparks International auction works in practice.
Register
Create a free account at sparksinternational.ca before the auction. We'll verify your details and confirm your registration, typically within one business day. For online live and telephone bidding, please register at least 48 hours before the auction begins. In-person bidders may register on the day.
If you're bidding with us for the first time, please register early. We may request trade references before activating your account, and a few days' lead time ensures the process is complete well before the sale.
Study the Catalogue
Every lot in our sales is described by one of our specialists. Read the descriptions carefully: condition, known provenance, and any cautions are noted clearly. The online catalogue includes high-resolution images, scans of accompanying expert certificates, and often videos for collections and larger lots.
We're always happy to answer questions before the sale. Contact us with any queries about specific lots; our specialists can provide additional information on request.
View the Material
All lots are available for in-person viewing at our Ottawa offices in the days before each sale. Contact us to book an appointment to view.
Place Your Bid
Your bid is a binding commitment. Once submitted, bids cannot be withdrawn. Please bid only on material you genuinely intend to purchase.
Choose your bidding method and submit your instructions before the auction begins. For absentee bids, enter the maximum amount you're willing to pay; the auctioneer will bid on your behalf, starting as low as possible and never exceeding your limit.
After the Auction
Payment is due within five days of the invoice date. We accept bank transfer, cheque, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on all lots. Shipments within Canada are subject to GST/HST as applicable. Buyers are solely responsible for any customs duties, tariffs, or import fees charged at destination.
Purchased lots may be collected from our Ottawa office by appointment. We ship worldwide: please contact us to arrange packing and delivery, and we will provide a quote before dispatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn't answered below, please contact us directly - we're always glad to help.
Do I need to register before I can bid?
Yes – a free account is required to bid in any Sparks International sale. Click “Register Now” to begin. Registration is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. Once verified, your account is active for all future sales, though you must register in advance for each auction.
For online live and telephone bidding, please register at least 48 hours before the auction begins so we have time to verify your details and enable your account.
Can I bid if I've never attended a philatelic auction before?
Absolutely. Many of our bidders are new to philatelic auctions. Absentee bidding is the most straightforward way to start – you simply set your maximum bid in advance and the auctioneer does the rest.
We’re always happy to talk through a lot before the sale, advise on condition, or help you understand what a realistic price might look like. Please don’t hesitate to contact us before bidding.
Can I view lots before the auction?
Yes, and we encourage it. All material is available for in-person viewing at our Ottawa rooms in the days before each sale. Viewing is free and open to all. International bidders who cannot view in person are welcome to request additional photographs, scans, or a specialist’s verbal assessment of any lot.
What does the estimate in the catalogue mean?
Estimates in our catalogues reflect our realistic value for the lot based on current market conditions, comparable recent results, and condition. Many lots sell above estimate, particularly for material with strong provenance or items in exceptional condition. The estimate is a guide, not a ceiling.
In place of an estimate, some lots will instead show the relevant catalogue value – for example from Unitrade, Scott, Stanley Gibbons, or Michel.
How does absentee bidding work?
Submit your maximum bid before the auction – online or by telephone. Your bid is confidential.
During the auction, the auctioneer bids on your behalf, starting as low as possible and advancing only as required to beat competing bids, up to your stated maximum. If two equal absentee bids are received for the same lot, the earlier submission takes precedence.
How does online live bidding work?
Register for online live bidding at least 48 hours before the auction. Once your account is enabled, you’ll receive a confirmation with a direct link to the bidding platform.
During the auction you can follow proceedings in real time and place bids at the click of a button. You will see the current lot, the current price, and competing bids as they happen. Internet bidding is subject to the same terms and conditions as floor bidding.
A stable internet connection is strongly recommended for live bidding. If connectivity is a concern, absentee or telephone bidding may be more reliable.
How does telephone bidding work?
If you wish to bid by telephone, register at least 48 hours before the sale and specify the lot numbers you wish to bid on. One of our specialists will call you a few lots before each of your lots comes up, so you have time to prepare.
Telephone bidding is particularly suited to collectors who want the flexibility of live bidding on a small number of significant lots without committing to following the full auction. We recommend also submitting an absentee bid as a safeguard in case of any connection difficulty.
Telephone bidding is subject to availability.
Is my bid binding? Can I withdraw it?
All bids submitted to Sparks International are binding commitments. A successful bid at auction constitutes a legal contract to purchase. Bids cannot be withdrawn once submitted, and lots cannot be returned after the sale on grounds of a change of mind.
How and when do I pay?
Invoices are sent by email shortly after the close of the auction. Payment is due within 5 days of the invoice date.
We accept:
- Bank transfer (preferred)
- Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard); a processing fee applies
- Cheque, with clearance required before lots are dispatched
- Cash, for in-person collection only, subject to conditions.
Lots are not dispatched until payment has been received in full.
What does the buyer's premium cover?
A buyer’s premium of 20% of the hammer price is added to all lots. GST/HST is applied to the buyer’s premium for Canadian buyers, in accordance with applicable tax law.
There are no additional handling or administration charges beyond the premium and applicable shipping costs.
How are lots shipped, and how long does delivery take?
Lots are carefully packed and shipped once payment is received. Buyers may arrange collection from our office by appointment.
Domestic shipments are sent by tracked mail or courier. US shipments valued at $1,500 or above are sent by FedEx. International buyers are responsible for all customs duties, import fees, and any other charges assessed on delivery.
Shipping costs are calculated at checkout. Unusually large or bulky lots may incur additional handling charges. To reduce costs, some lots may be repacked or consolidated where practical.
I'm outside Canada - are there import duties to consider?
Buyers are responsible for any import taxes, customs duties, or VAT applicable in their country of residence. We fully declare all international shipments as required by law.
How do I find out if I was successful?
Results are published on our website soon after the conclusion of the auction. You will also receive an automatic results notification by email listing the lots you bid on and whether each was secured.
Your invoice follows shortly after the sale. If you have any questions about a result, please contact us directly.
What happens to unsold lots?
Select unsold lots from each sale are made available for a limited period in our Post-Auction Acquisitions section under Available Now on this website. These lots may be acquired at the reserve price plus buyer’s premium, subject to prior sale.
Can I return a lot after the auction?
All lots are sold as genuine unless otherwise stated. Returns are not accepted except where an extension for expertization has been granted in accordance with our Terms of Sale. Buyers wishing to obtain an expert opinion should request an expertization extension before the relevant deadline – please refer to our Terms of Sale for the process and conditions
On this Page
Ready to bid?
Create a free account and register for Sale 56. It takes a few minutes — and you'll have access to all future sales.
Questions?
We're always happy to talk through a lot or help with your first bid.
613.567.3336 info@sparksinternational.ca
Monday–Friday
9am–5pm ET