Grading Scott 25. Opinions Please

Rgstamps and wtcrowe - both interesting comments.

I am also a collector not a seller. Much of my collection was obtained before the grading craze began and it is possible that a few of my stamps would grade quite high by PSE standards, so sending them in for grading might be an option if and when I decide to sell. So I agree that from a selling stand point it makes sense to have ones stamps graded.

So I guess my problem is that I lament the days when one could buy a nicely centered, flawless stamp for, at most,a few multiples of catalog as opposed to the graded prices of today.

Note to self: Welcome to the real world! It's been around for some time old guy.

Dave

rgstamp, All three stamps are sound, without any thins, creases, or problems. The bottom stamp appears to have scissor separation at left. The bottom still has chads in some of the perf holes, giving it a less than perfect appearance. I could tease them out, but I don't change anything on a stamp I add to the collection, the only exception being a nice warm bath and a day or two in a drying press. I figure used stamps deserve a bath every century or so....

I have the stamps valued at Scott catalogue for insurance purposes. I'm still working on adding everything to the database (an ongoing effort for the past seven years), and I think I'm about 2/3's done, if I'd only stop adding more stamps. Once I'm done with the initial inputting of stamps and images, I'll start combing through what I have with a closer eye to what needs to be certified.

I don't want to start my own grading thread because I dislike grading intensely for the way it opportunistically feeds on base instincts and encourages the destruction of classic multiples. So now I will get off my soapbox and ask for a grade and value on this stamp:) This is for fun only but the stamp is in a strip that I might list on ebay.

95 ... SMQ 850$

Average Auction value around 400$

rg's answer seems pretty reasonable and about right.
That assumes the stamps to the sides are destroyed as a result since your scan includes parts of them.

I would personally give it a grade of "pretty".

This is the strip... 47-48-49L1L. If anybody from the PSE is reading, the Plate 1L origin along with the recuts mean they are all Type IV, Scott #9

I very seldom comment here but am tossing in my two cents:
clipping off the left and right would create a really superb center stamp. Reminds me of 5c carmine error #485, now lot 2244 in Rumsey's current sale. If in my hands it would stay just as it is. Clipping left and right to create massive margins for the center stamp just wouldn't "feel good" to me. Those are my two cents. Who wants to toss in a dollar comment?

I hear the sound of scissors warming up across the ebay potential buyer land. Too bad - I agree that that item needs the right home.
It's a nice piece.

I too have been quite annoyed by the breakup of nice multiples over time. I could almost take it, in a few cases, if the stamps would be cut so as to not destroy surrounding stamps as well, but that's not usually the case, and wouldn't be here.

If you look in much older auction catalogs, you see large multiples, often many that don't exist anymore.

That's what happens when a "hobby" becomes a business/investment. The materials monetary value becomes more critical than it's collectable/historical uniqueness.

Business and investment are natural, even essential elements of the hobby. Greed and vanity are the true culprits.

Indeed!

I feel fortunate, the area of the hobby that I'm hooked on, has an abundance of inexpensive material available, extensive previous studies and current expertise all readily at hand.

Oh crap - I'm in trouble then! I'm hooked on anything U.S., well, except for state wildlife stamps. I guess I do have to draw some boundaries