Did I Do Well Or Not On These Two Columbians?

Hi all

I've been paying a little attention to my collection recently, purging some items to help pay for a few new ones. I am on a small budget (none, actually) so most of my time has been looking for items going for under $10. I decided to have a little fun and watch some 19th Century US items on ebay.

I recently treated myself to two Columbians. One has me thoroughly befuddled. Curious what people think about them:

#234 Unused/Gum/Hinge remnant/small thin = $9.00
Is a damaged mint really worth the same as a nice used copy?





#238 Used = $7.50
I don't quite understand this one... my catalog says a used example is about $82.00... how did I get this for $7.50? I mean, are there faults I am not seeing?





Thoughts?

JD

Looks like the used copy might have a filled pinhole (at about 3'oclock from the midpoint of the reverse). Still would look good in the album for $7.50. For the unused copy, I don't know--I wouldn't call that thin small, and it has a corner missing. Maybe overpaid a bit at $9.

On the 5 cent I would buy a nice used example (assuming better centering) for the same price.
The missing corner and thin damage being visible on the face would bother me.
Also I am biased toward used.

On the 15 cent, some collectors may object to the "messy" cancel and what looks like an inclusion on the back.
But I would quickly add it to my collection for $7.50!

So it sounds like I did semi-average on the .05, maybe well on the .15. The used .05 in my album isn't as well centered, and has a pen "X" cancel, and a crease on one corner. So for sheer looks, I now have a clear view of the design, anyway. I'll make due with that until I hit the lottery...

"Looks like the used copy might have a filled pinhole (at about 3'oclock from the midpoint of the reverse). " If you mean that light "blob", that is from the plastic on the stock sheet.

Hi: Well there are so many US stamps on the market.If It's not In perfect condition it will never get into the higher grades.That means no stains,complete perfs ,un disturbed gum if mint,well centered,If cacelled no messy cancels..ect. So one will pay for faulty stamps a few dollars only.This market is without pity...

Almost seems to have gotten worse since I stopped actively buying older US items! Maybe I just got used to used US revenues, which are almost always damaged!

Even the revenue market has changed. Folks pay a ludicrous price for off- center or damaged revenues. They are not worth the funds either. I find that my area of revenue collecting has become very pricey for good quality material. As many other forum experts have said... Pay what you can afford for the top quality you can get. Even most revenues are just plain common in average condition, there are millions of most. Cancels are the big winner sometimes.
I specialize in Private Die Match stamps, most on ebay dont come close to my measure of collectibility. I used to jump at a stamp I was missing, assuming it was hard to find sound condition or unobtainable, now I wait till the finer examples appear. They do command the highest prices as would regular issue stamps of the 19th century now do, but fetch the same at sale. Always seek fault free examples with the exception of truly rare ones.
Now on the lighter note. US regular issues are many spots to fill. Its all in the enjoyment of what you collect. My collection will go to my two interested daughters. I care not what they choose to do with it, but have advised they seek professional help for resale.
Most of my regular issue stamps seem pale in comparison of the the Revenues that I pursued many years later. Knowledge of the market and this forum have improved my collecting habits.

Edit.. My budget is very limited as well, knowledge make my purchase power better.

Nells250, the most important thing is that you like them. And you must, otherwise you would not have bought them. I like the green one - even though the cancel may be smudgy the middle part of the stamp is very visible!

Peter

When I was a kid with a very limited income I put together a collection of US stamps almost all of which were damaged. I really enjoyed that collection, not for its resale value, but because the album was full of very pretty stamps.

I still buy 'seconds to fill spaces otherwise left unfilled.

I collect Great Britain and have nearly completed the Victorian era by not being fussy on condition, I prefer nice looking copes with thins, small tears, etc. Resale won't be hot but boy my album sure looks nice.

I do have to admit, I am a little disappointed in what I thought were good deals.

The fact I have been collecting on and off since the early 1990s, and then reading everyone's responses, makes me feel like a newbie.



I'd hoped I was past that stage at this point, but alas...



Again, I'd hoped I was not a stamp-dummy by this point. Not having the $$ really stinks, too. I shouldn't buy ANYTHING, but I sold off some private dies to counter the costs (got $30 for a batch of defectives!) So really, these 2 didn't "cost" me anything ;-)



Perhaps that is the stage I am in as far as my earlier US stamps.



They must be places I don't know about...

Just to put things into perspective, here is the .05 that I had in my album before.

Which would YOU keep?

(Note the crease and thin)

Frankly the last pic is a better stamp.With the pen cancel I think it has more interest.The crease you can iron it out ;a little water on the corner and there you go..For the thin....well; nothing is perfect!

WANNA BUY IT???

I like the mint one ... centering is nice and you can see the design clearly. Don't feel too bad, I paid $38 for a VF lightly hinged one of these in an auction back in 1994. Considering inflation and the stamp market itself I way overpaid. I don't even think about trying to get close to my money back on the stamps I buy now. As someone else said, the point is I like them and enjoy looking at them. No plans to sell - my will has the collection going to my younger cousin who got me started over 50 years ago.