Gum Crease Question

I'm debating buying this stamp and am wondering how the gum crease pictured would affect the value of the stamp. Any insight?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290779564562

Thanks,
CF

I'll leave to the experts the evaluation of the stamp in terms of how it would affect the value. However, from a casual look of the stamp being offered I do note that:

1. The stamp not only has a gum crease in the upper left side of the stamp; but there's also a crease in the lower right side of the stamp, which has to be taken into consideration.

2. Some of the stamp perforations are not that sharp.

3. There's some evidence of toning (?) on the lower left of the stamp.



I'll admit I'm nitpicking the details, but on a stamp of that value, you have a right to. The value is in all of the details, and the detraction from its resale value will depend on some of these finer points, too. On the other hand, the stamp is pretty well centered and the high value of the issue does command a premium in an OG/NH state.

Bottom line is to try and get it for a good price and certainly discounted from the BIN price listed.

As I understand them, gum creases are usually only a surface phenomenon and most, upon immersion in watermark fluid, will disappear completely.

Looking at the image of the front of the stamp under magnification, it seems to me that this crease is visible on the front of the stamp.

Thanks for the additional info guys especially the bit about the other corner crease and toning. I wasn't sure if the crease was visible from the front but I guess it is. I'm guessing since it's visible from the front it's not really just a gum crease but the stamp itself may have been folded at some point?

CF

My copy of Paul Schmid's How to Detect Damaged, Altered, and Repaired Stamps says: "On some stamps, however, this natural occurrence can be severe enough to deform the paper fibers of the stamp...In its extreme form, a gum crease can severely wrinkle the stamp paper so that the crease is visible from the face side of the stamp."

While that may be the case here, I'm more inclined to think it is just a crease.

I have other suspicions as well. I think it might have either a creased or added perf on the top (the long perf about 4 perfs from the left). I also wonder whether it has been regummed, there is something about the perfs that bother me, especially on the top margin. It might not be, but.......

Thanks for the opinions guys, I'll most likely be staying away from that auction, unless he takes like $500 for it.

CF

I think it is a crease plain and simple.

You could buy it with an option to return it for full refund+ expertizing or certification cost if it is a paper crease rather than only gum crease. The crease does not appear to have affected the print as one might expect in a paper crease but there are some very talented stamp restorers, I am told.

I wouldn't touch it at that price. It's got blunt perfs, one pulled perf, a small corner bend (LR as seen from the back), a couple foxing spots, plus a crease that strikes me as more than a gum crease, it's major damage. Keep searching.

Interesting discussion.
One ingredient missing, how does it match up with similar
stamps for sale without the suggested impediments?
What discount is already offered in the asking price?

The price range for this stamp is incredible. Checkout this (overpriced) auction realization from 2008. The Scott #292 is the next to the last entry in the first post.


https://goscf.com/t/2400

Its a bit hard to find a decent price on a well centered version of that stamp in MNH. So far the only other active auction I see that may end up close in price when it's over is:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281019240097 4 days left but to me it looks like it's a RG. Currently low $200s but I think it'll end up close to $1k

Everything else in the $1k price range is either NG or MH versions.

CF

EDIT: Also since I don't think its been answered, but how does gum crease affect the value of something if it doesn't become visible on the front? 80% of SCV? More?

Patience is a virtue in this hobby. I'd hold out for another but if you're looking for never hinged, be prepared to spend over $2K. I'd shoot for a well centered used with a very light cancel, one should be available for under $500.00.

Interesting to see the vendor start such a stamp at 99c
I am aware of the advantage with mid range items,
but that's certainly what I wouldn't be doing with such a stamp.

Oh I know, I was just hoping this may have been my time to snag one up.

CF