Is It Okay To Write A Stamp Number On A Stamp?

What I dislike even more than writing on the back is when someone
writes in the selvage.

NO. This time it wasn't my grandfather but someone else.
Then again it was also a gift so I shouldn't really complain.

Lithograving, our local PO still receives sheets from the Main City P.O. with number/code written in biro on the selvage to the annoyance of collectors.

P.S. On the scan the bottom right 8 area appears frosty, is this on the sheet?

Good point.

But consider this...

What if you had a celebrity signature in the selvage?

The color difference is interesting

I think it depends. I absolutely DETEST stamps that have writing on the back. However, I bought 3 copies of the RASGAS "droplet" souvenir sheet when I was in Qatar. Two of them have numbers written on them in arabic (for sales and accounting purposes I assume) and one is MNH. For some reason, I think that my "modified" souvenir sheet with the arabic on it is much more interesting and appealing than the "plain" mnh edition!

On the other hand, when I am struggling with identification of my Korean stamps it is comforting after I make a decision to turn a stamp over and see someone else penciled in the same number. Pencil only of course. So I am somewhat hypocritical, maybe I would not do it, but I don't mind seeing it sometimes.

OK, I'm starting to feel a little ashamed. I've only done it a few time, honest, and only in light pencil, and really really small.
I too have bought old stamps that someone has written on the back of. Doesn't bother me really. Too often I find that the catalogue numbers are wrong, a different version of the stamp. I put it down to the 'life' of the stamp. Proof that someone else has enjoyed it before me.

I don't like finding numbers on the backs of stamps, unless I'm having a hard time figuring out what it is. Then it's ok. A true love/hate relationship.

But if I've got something I consider a keeper and it has a number on it, I take out my Magic Rub eraser and give it a good gentle rub. It works very well at removing pencil marks. The brand I've been using is Sanford and I was able to find a package of three at an office supply store. The back of the package says "Sanford's popular non-abrasive, non-glossy vinyl artist eraser." The three I have should last a lifetime.

I've heard of stamps being expertized and then the expertizer would write their initials on the stamp as proof of the stamp being genuine. Is anyone familiar with this practice that took place a long time ago?

~~ Mary-Jane ~~

All the back of the stamp notation numbers are wrong on my KGV penny reds.

KGV, that is just depressing. I have the same problem with the Washington/Franklins when I find someone has written a number on the back that is different from my identification. Causes me to have doubts for a while until I nail it down.

For me it adds to the history of the stamp. Someone before me has spent time and care with this stamp and has cared enough to note what they think it is according to the catalogues of the day and country that they had access to.

Or sometimes an ownership mark or dealers mark or such (even if faked) add to the allure of the stamp.

KGV, where were those 3000 KGV stamp's being sold at? Was that recently? I would like to see them.

The Magic Eraser sounds like a good thing, something like soaking a stamp in water to remove unwanted things that have adhered to it.

The only way I would dislike writing on the back would be by pen or pressed in too deeply so as to mar the stamp's paper. <ost of the times I have seen marks on a stamp a soft pencil was used (2B ?).

I have sold a few stamps with penciling on the back and have always shown the back and noted what the writing has stated. I always thought that this added to the mystery and history of that stamp. It made it a touch more valuable somehow.

edit typos

I do VERY LIGHTLY and ONLY if there are similar stamps that could get confused with. I would NOT advise it though. I do except them if there are very light markings and can be removed easily. That's just me and ONLY on occasion.

EDIT: also ONLY on post 1940 stuff. (Hey, it's MY collection so deal with it -LOL)

Hi Puzzler!
The 3,000 KGVs were in 21st Century Auction 2006 All penny greens and in dark pencil,a stock book full.

Hi! ncbuckeye.
To experience a true stamp hinge user explaining their collection and lifting their stamp at the hinge to reveal the story of their stamps. I have often wondered if they are the true stamp collectors compared to us hinge less collectors.It goes back to a special time in stamp collecting.The hobby of the Kings.

Thank you KGV. Dark pencil sounds like way too much pencil.


I forgot to mention that I do not write on stamps myself. My eyes have never been the best and now I have to write so big to see it easily without magnification that any notes or numbers wouldn't fit on the back of most stamps anyway.





Now there's a person who loves their stamps!

I don't mark the backs of stamps but I do gently remove any pencil marks I come across. I have a variety of erasers.

PP

I'm much more concerned with the face so I don't mind an unobtrusive pencil mark here and there on the back. I'm sure if I was dealing with the higher value stamps many of you do it would be different.

I've also noticed what I assume is a previous collector's name on the back of some, even a few with their own rubber stamp.