Another #e5 10c Special Delivery 1895 XF ... Rare?!

Sorry guys to ask you again!

Since I'm not an expert in US philately and don't have any reference relating to such a country, would highly appreciate if you could advice how much such a stamp in a such a condition worth?

It's #E5 10c Blue Special Delivery 1895 XF MLH, Center Line at top, Full gum, tiny ink spot in right margin & Deep rich Color.

The seller offers $155, is it a fair price or over-priced?




Cheers

Don't have a catalog in front of me but I'd bet it would be hard to find many with centering like that one.I'd imagine it would easily grade out in the 90's.

I would think that you could do better James. The lightly hinged kinda spoils it for me. - Jeff

James, it seems to me that if it were to be graded in the 90s, it would be valued considerably higher than the seller's price. On the other hand, as jhlovell is hinting at, the light hinge could pull it down below grade 90. As it is, in my opinion, the price is high for a hinged ungraded E5.

Marty

While I'm no expert on these stamps, the current Scott Catalog Value for a MNH E5 is $210.

Considering the above example, while very well centered, is "lightly hinged", I would think it would bring the price down considerably, suggesting to me that the example may be overpriced. Have you been shown the back of the stamp to determine if they correctly evaluated it as "lightly hinged"?

If it is of any help from a historical perspective, I have a couple of old Scott catalogs and an E5 in a 1983 catalog was listed at $160 (MNH) and stamp price remained unchanged through my 2002 catalog. It is only in the past few years that the stamp has seen any upward movement in price.

I forgot to mention that the top left short perf is also a detriment to the high asking price. I'm not sure if the top right unperfed area would lower its value or not. It just seems kind of iffy to me to ask such a high price in spite of its incredible centering.

Why would the VLH even come into play ? Do you mount your Stamps with the backs showing ? On this one, centering would be everything if I were looking to purchase. Not too sure what everyone's preference is but I collect Stamps, not Gum.

stallzer,

No matter which way you mount the stamp, you don't want to pay a NH premium for VLH.

I've often used this agrument to negotiate a lower price on hinged examples because I don't collect gum either.

But does the centering on that example offset the VLH ? Remember, centering like that one does command a premium.

Quite true.

Also true is the fact that the Scott catalog price is referencing VF condition, whereas this example is claimed to be XF. That should add a premium also.

On the other side of the coin (er, stamp) one must consider the slight defects in the stamp (i.e. the short perf on the upper right left side, the small ink spot on the right margin and the misperf with center line at top. Do these so-called "defects", no matter how slight, balance the price back again, considering the extremely well centering of the stamp.

For a stamp of this value and with all of the issues recited, I think I'd still pass on it, or else get an expertised opinion on it at least. Either way, I still think the stamp is overpriced and if you set your mind to it and be a little patient, some better examples would likely come to market in the same price range.

Exactly


Correct values- VF NH $470, VF Hinge $210

Prices are from a few years ago.

Finding this stamp never mounted is a very tall task. A decent E5 previously mounted that is very fine will set you back $75-100. Granted $150+ might be a tad steep but then again I've paid more than I probably should have on a few pieces that I really wanted. Will this seller entertain offers ? Perhaps offer $115-125 and see where that get you. Still in all, that is a very nice piece with exceptional margins and centering and if you look on ebay stamps you will see similar pieces going for this price.

*EDIT* Ok, I retract that statement about being a tad too much. I just went through Bidstart and ebay and now I must say that this price isn't too bad. Someone find one that is hinged with centering like this for less money and please post a picture and link here.

James,

This stamp sold on ebay this month for $20 -- it was described as unused lightly hinged.



This one, described as being very lightly hinged, had an opening bid of $99 and did not sell.



I think you can do better than $155. If you are trying to get a sense for market value, try searching ebay's completed listings.

Steve

Thank you SO much guys for your opinions & suggestions

I decided to pass on it & wait for a better chance ...


Cheers

You might also check a site called "Bidstart", formerly "Stampwants".
They are more specialized into stamps than ebay IMO.

Steve, thanks for the tip. I only searched the active ones. After reading this thread this piece has now made the want list and the one that didn't sell for $99 is a very sharp item.