Original Gum Question

I collect both used and mint. I've got parallel collections going for both my Canadian and US stashes. I guess that makes me a full and part time collector.
No really, I like them both. The used I see as having a postal history; cancels, markings on the back what ever. If they're on cover, even better. They've lived.
My mint collection (I prefer mint unhinged but will settle for hinged if I have to) I see in a whole different light. I'm looking at a Canadian 1898 1/2c Queen Victoria MNH. It's beautiful, post office fresh! It's like it came through a time machine. It has a totally different history.
Guess I just don't feel the need to discriminate. They all deserve my love.

I like the "Gum is cancer" phrase . However viewed from a collecting stand point the fact that original gum and its carcinogens will adversley effect your stamps. This will ultimatly make MNH OG stamps continue to climb in value and hence feed the frenzy of both investors and collectors. I've settled on the fact that one day the higher monetary stamps I currently care for will be in someone elses hands but for the passion of collecting I will likley die with my used collection (may even take it with me)

I'm not sure about the Gum is cancer phrase as I have Mint never hinged stamps from 1883 which are now 129 years old and they still look as if they were purchased at the PO yesterday. I simply separate into 2 categories, Mint and used. If I can afford the never hinged then I will but if the difference in a Stamp is $75 more for never hinged, then I'll take hinged. It's the front of the Stamp that matters most as none of my Stamps in my Vario sheets are displayed Gum side forward....

Question, is this Stamp MNH, MVLH, MH, MNG ??



Exactly, you can't tell from looking at the front.