Washington X Cents 1847?

Evening all,

In the long run, I suppose it best to get opinions on important stamps - and even some of the lesser ones. But, heaven only knows if I will ever be comfortable looking at a stamp and saying, "Yes, that is" or "No, that isn't".

May I have an opinion on this, please?

It's a #2 that was torn in half and repaired; the kind of stamp that might be found in a collection lot. Very low retail value.

revcollector - Thank you. I guess I still keep looking without seeing! I didn't notice the tear before and now it sticks out like a sore thumb! Oh well, perhaps a few hundred years at this and I may start to get things right. Thank you, once again.

Yup, that's a piggy one.

If I may.....

10c 47s in nice shape, with a good cert, are pretty liquid stamps. I'd strongly suggest saving up and getting a really nice one. They're not rare in nice shape, just expensive, but you're still so ,ugh better off in the long run saving up for a super nice one.

Not that it'll affect the value much on this filler, but the lower right corner also has been completely replaced/added.

I also agree with billw2 to save up & get a nice example of this iconic stamp - you want that first page of regular issues to impress!

billw2 & stailkb - Thank you both for your comments! I can appreciate that a much better one would be desired for the collection, both to improve quality and to increase value.

However, I must explain that this is not my collection. The gentleman who built it passed away this past August. A family member and 'very close' friend of mine requested a volunteer to help liquidate the collection. Me? What I know about stamps is: one sticks one or more of them on the corner of an envelope and drops the envelope in a mailbox (I'm trying and, hopefully, am, learning). ALL the stamps I've posted are from this collection. So, between information from the forum, reading and what not, I hope to beneficially help them liquidate the albums (4 - US and World).

walkabout
Just my opinion but you are going to struggle if the plan is to buy some of the more desirable stamps, add it to an existing collection, and realize a greater amount of money at the end of the day.

To do this would mean that you were able to ferret out good bargains. This is not easy to do, even for experience hobbyists. You certainly should stay away from some of the 'bargains' you might find on ebay (like the one above) and buy from respected sellers of quality material. There are some great sellers on ebay but they often avoid faulty 'discount' type stamps and offer choice stamps that command prices at the higher end for that issue.

The originally Dennison hinges would be a better (safer) investment. Now if you simply want to grow the collection because you enjoy the hobby, then by all means move forward. But investing in stamps is something that takes a large amount of knowledge and experience; you certainly wouldn't want to be investing in a stamp like the one above.
Don

51studebaker - Thank you, Don, for taking the time to respond. I fully respect and understand your words of wisdom in the last paragraph! Fortunately, what is requested of me is not to grow the collection, but to liquidate it. Unfortunately, however, I don't know a lot about stamps. That is why I've invaded your forum. (Although, I must admit, I do find the stamps quite interesting) Give me a Japanese tea bowl from the 18th century or a Chinese 17th century apple green monochrome, no problem.

The only way I know to properly liquidate the collection for a reasonable return to the family and reasonable value to those who may benefit from the collection - in part or in whole - is to know just what the heck I'm working with and that means asking lots of questions, listening, looking, hopefully finally 'seeing', etc. Thus, I muddle along, amuse and/or annoy some folks and try to learn without being too much of a 'pain'.

walkabout, the learning curve you face is incredibly steep (many years.) If you try to liquidate before then you'll likely encounter a tremendous amount of frustration (not to mention negative feedback & returns due to improper identification and missed faults.) You'll find yourself frequently appearing on StampSmarter, and not in a good way :-)

My advice would be to consign it to an auction house (or sell directly to a dealer if the family doesn't want to wait 5-6 months for a check.) Based on the crude forgeries and filler-quality stamps you've posted so far, the value is not likely to be significant. A competent auctioneer will break it down for you, but don't be surprised if they recommend running it intact as received...From what I've seen, there's a very low probability that anything will be worth pulling & offering individually.

P.S. I'm not trying to discourage you from learning; just trying to offer a reality check of the issues you face given the quality issues with the collection you're dealing with.

srailkb - Thank you for your response and information. Please believe that I've become aware of the learning curve and the encounters with the frustration and it's only been, what, 2 weeks?

The stamps I've put up here are the ones to which I would have the least knowledge and exposure. The ones I needed the most exposure to, the soonest. Whether good, bad or indifferent. Not all of the stamps are of that quality.

Edited: Off-topic material

srailkb - I forgot to mention that it may well turn out that they go to auction or are disposed of through a dealer. In all likelihood that IS what will happen. However, the family doesn't know anything about the collection or what is in it or what it may be worth. That's why I'm getting the big bucks - $0.00 - for doing this.

Oh my... you have, what appears to be, a mint set of Zeps.

stampcrow, I was going to say the $2.60 looked like a Panelli forgery, but I'm waiting for a better picture. At least these latest pictures show some obviously better items (in stark contrast to what's been posted so far.)

srailkb - You suggest that there is a sharp learning curve. Where do you suggest one start? Is there another forum that would be better for gaining knowledge?

Edited: Unrelated questions deleted.

walkabout: srailkb, who is one of most respected stamp dealers in the US, is trying to help you. This is the best stamp forum with the most experts who generously give of their time to educate us. And keep your fingers crossed that your $2.60 Zep is a Panelli forgery as they quite rare and retail for more than the real thing.

Jenny2U - Thank you for your comments. I whole-heartedly agree about the knowledge of those who populate this forum. I would hope that most of the stamps in the collection were real, so I have to go through it and learn and find out. I've been an antique dealer too long to subscribe to the fraud being worth more than the real.

Edited: Content