Brookman?

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, so be gentle. :o)

Back in the 1990's, I collected U.S. singles, MNH, mostly XF (when I could get it), beginning with the Columbians. I had a lot of fun and spent a lot of money (too much!), but I always had difficulty finding good material and eventually soured on the hobby. I sold my collection around 2002.

Fast forward to today. I want to collect U.S. singles again, MNH, XF when I can get it, beginning with Scott # 551 and ending with Scott # 1530 or so. None of these stamps (or almost none) is expensive, but I like them and I won't go broke collecting them. But where do I get good material? I will attend the local stamp shows, of course, when I can, but if history is any guide, I will have difficulty find fresh, problem-free, XF (or even VF) material. By problem free, I mean, in particular, stamps with full perfs and without fingerprints on the gum.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding mail-order dealers? Feel free to send me a private message if you like. I thought I would try Brookman first.

Thank you.

Paul

ebay is one place to look. Bidstart is also pretty good. You can also buy from other SCF members in the appropriate forums.

Go to PSE, they have links to multiple dealers. Specially if your looking for graded stamps.

Hello paul78703, welcome!

I think there is mostly always a problem getting the good stuff. You just have to learn patience grasshopper and be skillful in the hunt. be ready to pounce when the opportunity arises and all that.

Of course there are sellers who have the good stuff and they can and do charge extra (beyond catalogue) for those stamps, as they well can, as there are collectors who want that. Without even having to go to the lengths of the 95% graded materiel.

Lots of stamp dealers online at the auction sites and on their own sites. Search Stamp Community for a thraed or two that talked about that subject.

Private emails through the forum system, by the way, will not be accessible to you until you have the required 50 posts and 2 weeks in.

Best of luck!

Thanks, everyone, for your replies!

A couple more qestions:

Am I allowed to post my personal e-mail address here?

Also, what are some of the currently popular auction houses or high-end dealers?

Thank you.

Best auction house I'm aware of, and has a stellar reputation, Siegel.

Hello Paul,

Sure lots to chose from regarding retailers, kind of overwhelming.
I took a break like you from the hobby and got going a couple of years
back.
I use a on-line retail group at http://stamps2go.com/default.aspx. You can pick and chose and most prices seem pretty fair to me, everything from a penny to thousands. Easy site to browse around and use for reference on pricing and purchase.

Welcome back to the hobby.

Chuck]