Zeppelins, So Close Yet So Far.....

1 Stamp from completing my US Airmails through 1950 and of course it's the big $ Zeppelin. I've lost my last 3 or 4 attempts to obtain one through auction simply based on my hoping to get it for a steal.

I've grossly underbid each time and they ended up going for much more than I bid. That being said the options are;

Finish the Mint set with 1 used Stamp ? Slightly cheaper, but not much.

Settle for less than XF ? I've spent a good amount of time making sure all in the collection are XF.

I don't mind hinged but that still isn't in my budget.

Grab the last one on cover ? again, not that much cheaper and I don't think it would display well.

Here are my other 2. Both are NH

If you bought the first two at "Fireside" prices, I would stay with the game plan and wait it out

Jack Kelley

Do not compromise and hang in there, waiting for what you want. XF NH will retain the most value long term and will give you the most satisfaction.

stallzer.....DONT SETTLE!
WAIT....you will not be happy if you did.

stallzer, those are great looking zepps! Mine are not quite as nice. I did pick up a decent MH c15 for less than $400 a couple of years ago. I don't know what your budget is, but my suggestion is to not compromise so close to your goal. One thing I noticed after I had spent years looking for the right one, is that after I got it I felt kind of let down, as if there was nothing else to look for. I did get over it though, when I started my Newfoundland collection. After you get your c15, take a look at the early Newfoundland airmails, that is, if you haven't already.

good luck, Theron.

Those two Zepps could not look nicer if you had printed them yourself. Very carefully.

Good luck finding their suitable mate!

Hello Stallzer, I've been collecting 50+ years. Several years ago I purchased my very special Plate # single and I can tell you, it was worth waiting for. I didn't go for a cheap stamp because like you, I have a self imposed standard. So my advise is hang in there until you are ready to spend a fair price for a MNH XF example as it will please you each time you look at it along with your other comparable stamps.

Enjoy this wonderful hobby and the pleasure you get enjoying it!

That is one of the most impressive C13s I've seen in a long time! Congratulations!

Thanks Bill. It appears as if the hunt will continue, it's just that I'm 1 piece away and I agree with all that have replied, I'll wait for the one that fits the collection and I've figured out how to make it happen. Sell the areas I don't aggressively pursue to fund it.

When I want a stamp or set that is outside my typical budget, I start a fund for it. The fund consists of a jar in which I'll deposit a couple dollars here and there until there's enough in there to buy the stamps. At the end of the day, I'm still spending more money than I should on a stamp, but at least it doesn't really impact my day to day budget and there's not a big one-time charge that hits my checking account. It might take a few months (or longer) to build the fund high enough, but its a way I've found to obtain stamps where I probably couldn't otherwise justify the expense.