Poll: Grading Imperforate Stamps

A plate block of 771 cats about $55, probably retail for around $40-$50. A damaged example is only worth the perhaps 85% of cat of the sound stamps sold individually as ordinary examples. But some dealer might get $50 or more for that 100J from someone, so that seems the likely probability.

I would want that plate number on my stamp, but wouldn't want to cut up adjacent stamps in order to get it.


-IBFS

Folks, what does the 'J' in 100J stand for?

Peter

Jumbo

The shenanigans with the #771 are the perfect example of how PSE and their "grading" standards are detrimental to the hobby. They explicitly state that they will not grade damaged stamps and yet this damaged item has received a premium grade?!?!?!?!?

The left stamp is a travesty. How many stamp multiples have been destroyed in the name of professional grading?

Ugh.

The real problem isn't so much stamps like 771, which are common. The real problem is items like lot 1272 in the current Rumsey sale. This stamp was sold in the Curtis sale as a vertical pair, with the top stamp having a small repair. It brought $8750+15%. There were only 3 vertical and 3 horizontal pairs known. Now there are only 2 vertical pairs known. It was cut, given a XF-Sup 95 graded cert and has a reserve of $15,000+15%. Which means that someone with more money then sense has the opportunity to pay twice the price for half the item.

Wasn't it recommended to collect imperforate stamps in at least pairs to show that it was at least imperforate in between?

It's always better to have a pair, but there would be no problem in certifying this genuine. That is not the point. The point is that this is how grading has destroyed the hobby, doing far more harm then any added investor interest. This is hardly the only time that important and rare multiples have been destroyed so that some dealer can make some extra money and some "collector" can be proud of their certificate collection.

I think the destruction of rare multiples for large-margin graded stamps is a despicable practice. The buyers deserve as much blame as the greedy dealers and expertizing companies. The auction companies happily rake in the commissions and are quick to mention the jumbo stamp in a multiple. I think it is a shame that dealer and collector organizations haven't provided any leadership on the issue. It is the reason I decided to drop my membership in the APS.

Here is a really special item from my collection. I hope that I denied the greedy and the egotists the opportunity to destroy this incredible pair.

Sinclair,
That is awesome pair. The left stamp could be turned into a gem 100J. And is perhaps the best I have ever seen.

Don't cut it up!!

I agree that leadership should stand up and discuss this issue with grading companies to try to come to a solution.
Perhaps if PF changes its standards for grading Imperf stamps, PSE would follow. There should be forum at Javits NY stamp show in May to discuss these issues with APS sponsoring/ leading the discussion and representatives of grading companies present to defend these practices.

Now that forum would be worth attending!

But it will never happen

The PF has nothing to do with it. The PF is a non profit, PSE is for profit. Nothing will make PSE change it's standards, there is too much money in it for them, and money is what motivates grading.

Any grading group can only grade the stamp in front of them in any case. They were not the ones who cut the multiple to create a jumbo. Unfortunately what cannot be taught is that along with ownership comes responsibility, to understand what it is that one owns to prevent truly rare multiples from being desecrated. I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Some of the largest advertisers in the APS journal are those who offer imperforate multiples amputated and graded high as stamp singles (IMAGHASTS). So the motivation for APS to criticize these advertisers is ...

I can't see anyone stuffing this particular genie back into the bottle any time soon. Perhaps the more effective strategy is not to participate in the market, by boycotting all those sellers who have been noted to regularly offer IMAGHASTS.

The motivation for the APS should be a no-brainer but if the APS doesn't have the gumption to do more than save itself, then it should fold today.