Chasing The Well Centered US Classics

the ones I showed were not from ebay

For example, I'd love to gradually acquire the 1913 Parcel Post with XF centering. Lightly mounted would be fine. Could I expect to find good quality examples at a percentage of Scott over time by scouring ebay? Or do I have to swallow deeply and pay what the dealers who specialise in graded material are asking...?

You are describing premium stamps. Why wouldn't you expect to pay the price that premium material merits? If you are asking, "Do special opportunities occur?" the answer must surely be "Yes," but they are like lightning - infrequent and unpredictable. If that was a buying strategy there is no telling how long it might take to build the kind of set you are seeking. But if you are young (have the time) and are willing to wait, then go for it. But be prepared to wince a lot over opportunities missed.

How badly do you need the set? Is it just for bragging rights to say you have it, or will it figure into an exhibit? If it is the latter, then there is some pressure to complete the set sooner than later. If it is the former, then the drive to get such a set is more likely to pass before you have reached your goal.

The chances are highly skewed that you will take a long time to get most of the set cheaply, and will eventually need to bite the bullet for a few final pieces.

essayk - thank you for your informative post. Forgive an element of naivety on my part; I'm somewhat new to the world of US classics but eager for information.

In answer to your questions, I would certainly expect to pay the price that premium material merits. My uncertainty is more around whether I should a) simply bite the bullet and make an occasional purchase from an established graded stamps specialist b) try my luck in one of the regular auctions or c) keep a close eye on ebay and wait. There is no hurry; neither am I into bragging about completing a quality set, the investment return or exhibiting. Purely for my own pleasure.

It's not as if a lot of these stamps were printed in low quantities. More around trying to understand whether a good chunk of the XF examples have now been identified, graded and had their price premium added or whether there are still plenty out there waiting to be 'discovered'.

My contribution to this thread...





Eagle

Not all are well centered but still look nice to me.

]

What matters is that you are happy with them Newby Stamper. Unfortunately none of these would make my centering needs. And the 10c would just have to go...

Wasn't trying to sell them to you just posting Nick. But yes the 10c will not stay.

nick777vvv....lets see some of your "high quality".
Please post a photo.

kevin504. I'd be happy to...but for the fact that I do not have any yet, hence my questions. If you want to see stamps from many other countries I'd be glad to post...but probably not appropriate in a US Classics thread...?