Mossgreen, Prestige merge Dec. 1

Mossgreen Auctions and Prestige Philately have announced that the two Australian businesses have merged.

The new entity, named Mossgreen Philatelic Department, was established Dec. 1.

Mossgreen describes itself as Australia’s largest multidepartment auction house, with specialists and auctions in stamps and coins, as well as fine Australian and international art, Australian indigenous art, Asian art, jewelry, luxury goods, European decorative arts, sporting memorabilia and collectibles.

In 2014, Mossgreen began a series of auctions offering the philatelic collection of Julian Sterling, specializing in Australian Commonwealth stamps.

Prestige Philately was formed in 1998, but is the successor to several other major firms that date back to the 1970s, including Macray Watson Auctions and Premier Postmark Auctions.

Prestige has regularly offered Australian and worldwide philatelic material, including internationally recognized exhibition collections.

Charles Leski of Mossgreen (following its merger with Leski Auctions in 2013) and Gary Watson of Prestige Philately have enjoyed a healthy rivalry for more than 30 years, according to a press release issued by Mossgreen in November.

Watson will become head of philately for Mossgreen. Leski, Mossgreen’s managing director, said he was thrilled with the opportunity to work with Watson.

“Gary is someone that I’ve admired since he first entered the market in the early 1980s,” said Leski. “He has been a formidable competitor, so the opportunity to work with him rather than in opposition to him is something that I’m excited about. He is undoubtedly one of the most knowledgeable people in philately in Australia.

“Ultimately, our passion for philately and our combined experience will be important assets for the new operation. I believe our clients will be the beneficiaries of that.”

Leski said the appointment of Gary Watson will give him more time to introduce new categories into the business and an opportunity to expand projects that are sitting on the drawing board.

Watson will bring key staff with him to Mossgreen.

The first series of auctions to take advantage of the merger are scheduled for March 5-6, 2015.

Clients wishing to consign to these or future auctions can contact Gary Watson at gary.watson@mossgreen.com.au, or Charles Leski at charles.leski@mossgreen.com.au.

For more information, visit www.mossgreen.com.au.