Cancelled To Order Stamps

Has anyone heard the term, used with gum , to
describe C.T.O. stamps ?????

I would say a CTO cannot be called used because it was never used for postage.

To me "used with gum" means a postally used stamp which was peeled off an envelope without proper soaking
and may retain partial gum but also probably has some thins.

I agree with Tom, but I can see where someone new to collecting might call a CTO that.

Laswabbie...Strange as it may seem, the Old Timers
in my stamp club, use that term.

Who am I to argue with the 80 something year olds. Heck, I'm 56, totally grey, and they call me junior...

They're used in Scott's book (catalog), aren't they?

Bobgggg - that's as good as getting carded when you try to buy a glass of wine with your dinner!

You're right Modern. I'm still a stickler about that though.

BTW Bob - it look like you're gonna join the elite sometime today. congratulations!

Laswabbie... No I am going to stop at 499 posts,
and wait until the hottest day of the year to post
# 500, so that T-360 goes to the Post Office on a
100 + degree day

Yes, there are many places in the Scott catalog where they state that prices in the "used" column are for CTOs and that real postally used examples are worth more (for example see the note after Hungary #924). I would have preferred that values for postally used stamps were listed and the notes state that CTOs are worth much less. However this would have set up a situation where new collectors would be paying too much for CTOs thinking that the catalog values for postally used stamps apply.

IMHO I don't care for the CTO. If you are gonna buy a mint stamp or sheet, keep them mint. If you want a canceled stamp make a cover for yourself and mail it. I think CTO is stupid, but of course that's just my opinion.

Mystic appearently believes CTO's are used stamps as the great majority of the "used" stamps I bought from them are CTO's, most with gum. Although there are tons of beautiful stamps in the lot, I wouldn't have bought them had I understood that used would mean CTO's.

I don't mind CTO's when they are examples of stamps that were postally used in the issuing country, but not ones that obviously were never intended to be put on envelopes. Wallpaper, as some refer to them. I think they are pieces of art in their own right, but don't necessarily fit into a "normal" stamp collection. They are excellent for a topical collection, though.

Charles

Hello everyone.....

The question of what belongs in any stamp collection is for each collector to determine for themselves.

THERE IS NO WRONG WAY TO COLLECT.
THERE IS NO MATERIAL THAT MUST BE INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED.

It is the beauty of the hobby that every collection will be unique.

With that understood every item must be recognised for what it actually is and valued accordingly......CTO's are not the same as used items, modern FDC's are basically just fancy CTO's.....topical collections are legitimate collections.

My collection fits nicely into one topic........."stuff I like" !!

Yes, if it is unaddressed, no If it went thru the Postal System, addressed and delivered

Who would have thought that this question, would generate
such a great discussion..

That's what great about the hobby also, every ones different
views on specific items.