If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Question on Stamp Collecting Procedure
OK, here's kind of an obvious question. I'm just checking to make sure that
I'm doing the right thing. I've got 2 stamps that are still connected that were used to mail a letter. Is it better to put them in your boos as is or doesn't it matter if you separate them and only put one in your collection. My initial thought is that two connected stamps is better than a single stamp, but I'm just checking to see if there's a difference. Another question is, at what point do you reject a stamp from your collection. How beat up or inked (from the postmark) does it have to be in order for it to be not worth it. In your opinion. OK, last question. I also have a few stamps which are fairly inked up, but in perfect writing on the stamp is the name of the PO. I have stamps that say the following in perfect ink on the stamp (all in the corresponding case): BOSTON MASS. NEW YORK N.Y. INDIANAPOLIS IND San Francisco Calif. So, what should I do with those. They are old US stamps so I don't want to throw them, but I feel that the writing blocks too much of the portrait. -Luther |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Luther Bell" skrev i en meddelelse
... were used to mail a letter. Is it better to put them in your boos as is or doesn't it matter if you separate them and only put one in your collection. Two are better than one.. Another question is, at what point do you reject a stamp from your collection. How beat up or inked (from the postmark) does it have to be in order for it to be not worth it. In your opinion. I reject stamps with physical errors, like missing teeth, bends, thinness etc.. Unless it is a rare one, i which case i will keep the defect until a better one (suited for my purse) shows up. The cancellation (ink) does not disqualify. I prefer a stamp with a clear cancellation, which (often) tells me that the stamp was genuinely used. So, the postmark often tells more than the stamp itself. So, what should I do with those. They are old US stamps so I don't want to throw them, but I feel that the writing blocks too much of the portrait. Well, again, it depends on whether you are interested in the postal history or the image on the stamp. Michael |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Each collector has his own preferences and here are many pitfalls along the
way. I prefer single stamps, they are easier to mount and one good example is enough for me. I initially started out wanting good postally used stamps, they were easy to find sixty years ago, not so today. My collection is now mixed with mint and used. The cancelled stamps you mentioned sound like precancels to me. They were quite common many years back. Don't even consider the stamps you collect [aying for a cruise someday. That is the wrong reason to collect stamps. Collectbthem for fun and enjoyment. Ralphael the OLD master |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"Luther Bell" wrote in message ...
OK, here's kind of an obvious question. I'm just checking to make sure that I'm doing the right thing. You're right to ask. A general rule in collecting _anything_ is not to make irreversible changes unless you're sure. I've got 2 stamps that are still connected that were used to mail a letter. Is it better to put them in your boos as is or doesn't it matter if you separate them and only put one in your collection. My initial thought is that two connected stamps is better than a single stamp, but I'm just checking to see if there's a difference. Keep them togther if you prefer it that way. I always have a twinge of guilt when separating stamps that have "been together now for 100 years". Generally, though, I separate common identical stamps unless there's a good reason otherwise, like tête-bêche pairs (one upside-down). Se tenant groups (a design across several stamps), or bilingual pairs like S Africans, should _never_ be separated, especially the SA pairs which are worth much more than 2 individual stamps. If in doubt, especially with older stamps, check a specialised catalogue carefully for subtle varieties, as an error attached to a perfect example can be valuable and may even be required provenance. An interesting postmark across stamps may justify keeping multiples, keeping them "on piece" or even the whole envelope rather than soaking. If you use pre-printed pages marked out for each specific stamp, it's best to put these extras on separate "graph paper" pages after the main ones, rather than overlap the printed squares or shove them into blank spaces (though I must admit to doing that!) Another question is, at what point do you reject a stamp from your collection. How beat up or inked (from the postmark) does it have to be in order for it to be not worth it. In your opinion. IMHO the worst condition stamp of all is a blank space on the album page. So I mount even very badly beat-up examples. At least it gives you an idea of what the stamp looks like so when a better one comes along you know where to put it (I'm assuming you're mounting stamps in some kind of order) without poring over the catalogue again. One problem to watch is when a fault is only visible from the back, e.g. thins and repaired tears, which may mean you don't notice that you need a replacement. OK, last question. I also have a few stamps which are fairly inked up, but in perfect writing on the stamp is the name of the PO. I have stamps that say the following in perfect ink on the stamp (all in the corresponding case): BOSTON MASS. NEW YORK N.Y. INDIANAPOLIS IND San Francisco Calif. So, what should I do with those. They are old US stamps so I don't want to throw them, but I feel that the writing blocks too much of the portrait. -Luther These precancels can make an interesting study in themselves. Again, put a lightly/normally-cancelled example on the main page and have a following one for a collection of different cities. This is a good way to get more mileage out of mixed "kiloware" bags. For the same reason, I also keep booklet stamps with different edges perfed and attempt to reconstruct the pages. The bottom line, as stated in the first book I ever read on stamp collecting at a tender age: "This is _your_ collection, you can keep it in any way you want." Chris |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Stamps, Trains, Slotcars, Paintings & Models | Stamp Master Album | US Stamps | 0 | August 28th 04 12:25 PM |
REPEAT WARNING!! AVOID EDMONTON STAMP SHOIW = THEFTS!! | EchteWahrheit | General Discussion | 12 | February 25th 04 10:08 PM |
Canada wins international stamp design awards | TC | General Discussion | 2 | January 19th 04 07:19 PM |
Books and stamp collecting | Bob Ingraham | General Discussion | 5 | September 13th 03 06:47 PM |
stamp collecting somehow more civilized | Keith Michaels | Coins | 34 | September 11th 03 07:30 PM |