Your First Stamp Purchases. Starting Your Collection

Hi Londonbus,

It is perf 11. I also noticed a slight crease that I never noticed before. Yes it is without tab.

At first Israel stamps were collected without tabs and if it had a tab all well and good. Then the tab frenzy took off. I seem to remember Scott valued a used stamp at a few hundred dollars in the 1960's.

Remember, in 1948/1949 50 cents was relatively a lot of money. It well may have been the equivalent of the $10-$20 you expected. In fact 50 cents was my whole allowance for the week. I had enough money to go to the movies on Saturday afternoon and enough left over to get snacks during the week. When the allowance went to a dollar I was rich.

When this stamp was bought Israel had recently become a state and the only stamps in abundance were Palestine. As I was told, there were no Israel stamps on the US market, unless they came on mail to family members. I believe Jacques Minkus became the largest US dealer for Israel stamps. Now there are a few dealers. I will say Israel stamps became desirable and pricey pretty quickly, especially in New York City.

Jerry B

Ernest Shackleton my main man...hey nobodies perfect I read up everything I can on his amazing return from the ice !! This was not a dollar cover !!

jbcev,

My feeling is that you purchased your stamp before the real value was known. Even in the late forties, it should have been more than 50c.
But a small crease may have had something to do with it.
Still, it has a personal historical fascination and that makes it a treasure.
It is also a very beautiful stamp...indeed, the whole set is lovely.

Look after it.

Londonbus1

Hi Londonbus,

I believe the crease happened after purchase. Anyways, I just soaked it and am pressing it. The crease was not sharp so it should press out.

I tend to agree with you on the fact that the true value was not really known. The set is beautiful. I once saw the entire 1-9 as mint tabs and it was even more spectacular.

Jerry B