Singles, Pairs, Blocks And Selvage

Is there a formula to calculate values on various varieties of the same stamp? If you have a single stamp worth $1.00, how do you calculate what the value is if it has selvage, plate #, if it is a block of 4, strip or extra markings in the selvage? This has bugged me since I started collecting. I would appreciate any comments on this.

Some catalogs list plate block value.

come on there has got to be a better answer than that you hav to remember us new people (talking about me not you Bryan)are still learning this stuff and I still need to know the answer Glenn where are you? you give awesome descriptions

I don't think there is a real formula for this, other than taking the value for one stamp and then multiplying it by the number of stamps you have. Of course, things like selvedge would add a small percentage, and I think this would increase the more that you have.

To clarify, it would seem to me that one stamp with attached selvedge would probably add a couple of cents to the average stamp, but a block of 20 from the corner of a sheet where there is selvedge on two sides might increase it a buck instead of 40c, especially if there are markings on the selvedge, and especially if the stamps are used, because the possibility of soaking off a block this big and leaving the selvedge intact should make it worth a premium.

I can only suggest this after seeing numerous auction lots where a block without selvedge is usually worth less than one with selvedge.

However while this is not about rarity (although it could be if the marginal markings were known to have changed and there was less of one type than another), it seems to be more about eye appeal than anything else.

I would have to agree. I can't imagine anyone has enough time or page space to try to quantify the value of the thousands of possible variations.

Thank you Glenn your just to awesome

That gets pretty subjective. Since few will collect this kind of thing, I don't know if you can give it any extra value among common stamps, except maybe for zip blocks, which can be popular. Have seen zip block circuit books wanted by the APS. In this case, if a dealer specialized in zip blocks, he might have a price list.

Forgot to mention that I remove all unnecessary selvage, pretty as it might be from some places. Stamps mounted in albums look much neater without out it.

ok whats a zip block?

A zip block would include the image of Mr Zip, mostly commonly found in booklet panes, usually found as 5 stamps plus a Mr. Zip.