So I Took A Gamble And Did Pretty Good

Picked up this album on ebay as a birthday present to myself http://www.ebay.com/itm/14089948708....m1439.l2649 and it arrived the other day. Seller only put a few pictures up but what caught my eye were a few unused Washington/Franklins. I've been addicted to those lately and was hoping for similar stuff since the seller claimed over 400 stamps in a copywrited 1954 album. Not to mention I love the thrill of the hunt rather than buying stamps one at a time

As soon as I opened the book, I was blown away - There were 2 stamps on page 1, a few on page 3 and on and on. None of those were even mentioned in the listing. Every time I turned the page, I peed myself a little. Lots of classics, a lot of unused, the complete Prexies and 1954 set with many of them mint, including the $1, National park gutter pairs,

I flipped to the back of the book, unused C1, tons of postage due, special delivery unused,etc even a mint #11 Confederate (of course the only Confederate stamp I already have though :)

I started breaking it down a bit last night and soaking the hinges off. The really old classics have some faults but I'm not picky and had no idea they were coming anyway. Tested a couple mint stamps and the hinges pop right off.

Here's a scan of some of them so far after they've been prepped for my albums:



Tons more to go through. These are just what I've plucked from it so far. I'll post more pics as I go if anyone's interested.

Don't think I've ever been so over delivered on an ebay purchase before.

Great find Mike! Reminds me of the best find I ever had on ebay. Was an old Intl Scotts album that had a few pics and was being sold by one of those places that takes donations and sells. Well I think I paid something like $250 and the first page I opened was full of old private stamps. I posted a pic below. Well the best part was 2 Chinese sets that were worth CV$900. Sold them in 1 hr on ebay for $700 (I dont collect China). Finds like this are what keeps it exciting!

Congratulations good score. I believe I came across this listing. I remember the seller's name Harvard MBA. I would have a hard time buying any lot with only a few pics. I want to see some value or I think they are trying to screw me. You have some nice old stamps here.

I had checked his feedback - looked great and believed in his "exceed everyone's expectations.." line for some reason. And figured since they were only up to around scott # 1050 or so not counting back of book in 1954 and with over 400 stamps, there was bound to be some good stuff.

I really can't believe he didn't post more pics and let it go to auction. Or even mention the early issues. Not one of the stamps pictured above was mentioned in the listing

I'll have a lot more done this weekend and post some more pics

I won another book 2 nights ago too - Scott All American from 1936 with 350+ stamps in it. Again, only a few pictures in it and no history of selling anything else stamp related. It shipped today so hopefully lightning will have struck twice by this time next week :)

Shannon - that's awesome!

Round 2 - These are the better mint stamps that popped right off the pages. Still a lot that have stuck to the pages, gonna figure out the best way to reduce damage later. Some will have to be soaked I'm sure. Wonder if that Citrus stuff works on regular gum stamps. I'll have to give that a shot.



Have a bunch of used stamps drying now. Haven't even gone near the Wash/Franklins yet and there are a lot. Want to keep them on the pages for now to reduce confusion.

Glad I had no plans this weekend

Funny, just noticed in my first scan, that $1 Parcel Post stamp looks like the top right corner is burnt. Got bummed cause I didn't notice that before and I needed that one. Just pulled it out of the pile it was in and here's what it looks like right now:



maybe some gypsies came in last night and repaired it as I slept.

This is another stamp that I can't believe the seller didn't show or mention - the whole page actually.

Still it's a good haul mate! I would be happy with it. Congrats! -Jeff

Congratulations, Mike! That's a wonderful find!

Another round of soaking done:

Mike-- the price you paid might have been worth one stamp on the first image. 3rd stamp on the 2nd row is not #24-- the image isn't hi-res enough, but at the low end it's at least a Type II (#20), and could be a Type IIIa (#22). Looks like could be faulty (upper left side), but either way, it's a nice find and a difficult stamp.

Also, maybe even better-- on the 1st stamp on the 1st row, is the curved line on the bottom broken? Can't tell from the scan, but if it is, it could also be Type IIIa-- 8A, which is a really difficult stamp-- most collections only have #7 and #9 on the 1c imperfs.

Love to see a higher res image of both of these-- thanks and congrats, Ray

Thanks Ray - I appreciate you looking. here are 2 high res scans:

Regarding the 1c 1857 stamps, I'll be lazy and let Ray try to plate the stamps. They are both Plate 4 stamps so you did very well. The imperf stamp is not what is seems. It is a trimmed-down perforated stamp.

Mike33, very nice. I actually looked at that listing and decided it was not worth my time. I may have been wrong . . .
regards, yakboomer.

Watching the Packers but very quickly the perfed stamp is a type II #20 and the imperfect is a trimmed perforated Type IIIa and possibly Type III.

Either stamp trimmed is a tragedy.

Watching the Packers but very quickly the perfed stamp is a type II #20 and the imperfect is a trimmed perforated Type IIIa and possibly Type III.

Either stamp trimmed is a tragedy.