Mint Vs Used Redux

I guess this subject is kind of a war horse, but as a newbie I'm still unclear about some things. Certainly, with other collectibles that I have been involved with, fountain pens for example, there is no question about the desirability of mint items compared to used. Coins also. Still, when it comes to stamps, there is something that is not only interesting, but also very appropriate, about cancellations. From the outset I had made up my mind that I would only acquire mint stamps, unless the price was completely out of my league, but now I'm not so sure. For me, at this point, the the real beauty of the stamp is most present in a mint issue, but that is a totally subjective call. Anyway, I would love to hear some opinions from other collectors about this subject.

Cheers...

Rem

Rem, I believe I started out favoring the unused stamp and changed my thinking somewhere along the way..perhaps because I really like covers which of course have a cancelled stamp..but I just picked up a set of 1934 Italian airmails mint never hinged and they sure look nice in pristine condition !!

Rem

I also prefer stamps that are postally used. I do have mint stamps also , my preference is for used though. You will find many cases where used stamps actually catalogue higher than mint, and vice versa, so cost is not really an issue for me in that regard. Go with what you enjoy !

The only real difference is value. For the most part MNH will always win on value when collecting individual stamps. By value I am referring to money.

There is probably a wider class of collectors though with used. There are so many options with different cancellations ects.

Though give me a classic with a unique cancellation and then behold beauty something that can be rare and far from the thousands of MNH stamp of the same design.

Before the mint, never hinged craze, many collectors simply collected both, generally hinging a used copy beneath a mint copy in their albums. That's what I was taught when I began (1955). For a time I went to collecting postally used stamps, those that actually saw service in the mail, but since getting back into the hobby, I collect both but prefer mint for stamps issued after 1940 and certainly for those after 1960 because of so many godawful slogan cancels. Some stamps, such as the many beautiful recent British issues with graphic color designs on a pure white background frankly look like hell, used, and I won't even use them as space fillers, while waiting to find mint copies.

The one thing nice about MNH is that they are dirt cheap from the 1930's to the 1980's.

My wife is pretty heavy into Europa and Europa forerunners...and you can not give the unused hinged ones away..they sell for a fraction of what the mint never hinged guys command !! Me I sell my duplicates at 1/3 catalog..mint never hinged, unused, used...i figure something is better than nothing !!

This is an interesting topic. My comments...

The purist would find the mint stamp, in it's cleanest form, a gem to behold and look at the stamp. The real challenge with mint stamps is the mounts, etc. may be more expensive than most of your stamps. If, for example, you are doing a Canadian collection, the vast majority of stamps issued 1950-1990 are face-value stamps.

The earlier ones tend to become expensive, especially if you are interested in never-hinged examples.

Since I collect mostly recent stamps, I tend to prefer usedd stamps, as the cost of mounts far exceed the value of the stamps.

Used stamps offer two interesting challenges:

(1) A nicely cancelled stamp in which the cancellation enhances the appearance of the stamp, but does not deflect from, nor obscure the design; and,

(2) an interesting postmark, irrespective of the design.

My preference is used stamps, and covers, but I do admire a mint collection of stamps.

David

Yeah don't forget those that are stuck on 100% MNH also collect the finest stamp available which means the price could be 200% over the normal market price.

BTW my main collection is US MNH complete from 1930 to 1970. Still building the classics and the last 38 years.

My mission when I first started collecting was to have MNH complete. But as knowledge and cost came along thru the years I have limited from around #300 mnh and unused or used below.
Also, a big contributing factor to this was one can only handle to see just so many re-gummed stamps that are prewar. This really turned me off to MNH. Happy having a mint stamp for a fraction of the price. As for new issues I still get them MNH.
I guess most all at one time really liked this way to collect but age, knowledge, and price might have been factors to lead either way.

Hello Rem......

Personally, I prefer used. The real joy of the hobby is that there really are no set rules. Collect whatever you want, any way you want.

IMHO well cancelled used stamps make for a better collection because they have fulfilled their mission/destiny in life and you are allowing them to live nicely in retirement. As a result, my main German collection is completely used (no CTO's or favor cancels if I can pick them out) with a few exceptions: I allow mint souvenir sheets because to my mind they were never meant to be postally used; I allow mint booklets because there is no practical way to collect complete booklets used.

My topical collections are mint (H or NH) because I consider them as much a collection of artwork as postage.

It's just my way of doing things - no way is wrong.

Tom is correct there is no set in stone way to collect stamps. In fact my used stamp collection is more complete than my MNH. I have come to the conclusion that neither will ever come close to filling the classics. Even so of the older ones in used condition with flaws are far out of my reach.

I would never pay top dollar for a MNH classic without first seeing it and making sure it has a certificate. Though regumming is pretty easy to see since it will spill into the edges of the perfs. The regumming doesn't bother me as long as they don't want MNH prices.

Now the most fun I have is sorting through large kilos of used stamps, you just never know what is below the next stamp.

I have found all of your replies to be very interesting, and enlightening. Thanks for taking the time to respond. I believe that my thinking on the matter is beginning to change because of what I read here, and I'll keep you informed of the progress I'm making as my collection proceeds.

Cheers...

Rem

I only collect used, but for a different reason than the ones given here. I live in Georgia (USA) and the hot humid climate here does awful things to the gum on mint stamps. I have learned the hard way about this. You just can't keep the stamps in a controlled climate all the time. So the solution for me is to collect only used, and old at that.

Rohumpy thats a great point...i have had glassine boxes full of mint never hinged stamps "roll up" on me probably due to humidity...so far so good on the ones in the albums..i guess the thoroughbred mint never hinged stamps are not as hardy as the working class used ones...stamps are FRAGILE folks..especially the higher priced ones,right Mr. Murphy ???