Any Thoughts On Breaking Up A Sheet Of Stamps?

Hi all,

I'm a novice collector of topical stamps and I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about breaking up a mint sheet of stamps in order to mount just one of the stamps. Sometimes I don't actually want the entire set because only one of the stamps goes with the topic I am collecting. I feel guilty about breaking up the set, but I think it would look nicer just to have the one topical stamp in my collection. Should I just not collect mint stamps and collect used stamps since they have already been separated?

You can collect your stamps any way you choose. For a topical collection if the remaining stamps and surrounding selvage do not pertain to the subject matter or form a large picture I see no reason not to separate the mint stamp. The only factor I would consider would be overall value of an intact sheet. You could use the remaining unwanted stamps for postage, trade for more stamps, or even sell them. I would think about obtaining a used single or even an example on cover (envelope/postcard) to round out your collection. There's my 2 cents for what it is worth.

If I was you i'd try and find that one stamp else where or ask someone here first if they would trade you for the one stamp that you want only my opinion did you read what I left you on your post yesterday?

Welcome to the forum!
In general, sellers/dealers hate to break up sets, because it becomes harder to sell the remainders. Most collectors of countries stamps
want a complete set and will not separate.
However, there is no law or rule requiring you to buy more then you want.
What you collect is whatever you want.
But be aware, as I've mention many seller/dealers may insist on buying the entire set, as is their right, if you must have it, get it, if not, there will be someone else who will sell.

Good Collecting
Mike

Thanks for your feedback stamperdude. I have one of those US Bugs Bunny stamps with a picture and one stamp on the right side and several of the same stamps on the left side. I just felt really guilty about cutting up the sheet. I also have a US sheet with several winter animals, but I only want one of the animals, the polar bear. I think the value of the stamps would be worth more to others in an intact sheet, but the presentation of my topical collection will not be as tight with the extraneous stamps there. I guess since it's my collection, I should just go with what I want and not worry so much about its value to others. Using the remaining unwanted stamps as postage or for trade or sell sounds like a good idea. I guess I will have to just be brave and make the first cut!

Hi Tina,

Yes, I did and I posted a reply too. :)

Trading for the one stamp also sounds like a great idea Tina. I guess I could trade for the one stamp and sell the sheet instead. This way, as warrehouse mentioned, it would be easier to sell off the set.

good luck in whatever your decision may be. I probaly have a used Bugs Bunny & Polar Bear. If still interested when you hit your 50 posts let me know.

Hi Mike,

Thanks also for your advice on selling to dealers and collectors. I'm new to this, so all this information is useful. I'm glad I didn't run to get my scissors before reading these posts! Ha, ha. :)

By the way, what do those levels mean when you try to "friend" someone?

I collect Disny and cartoons and the bugs bunny one sounds good so when you hit your 50 posts let me know and we can work out a trade I have more trading stamps then I know what to do with

what level thing? do you mean the valued member or moderator and pillar?

There is an icon of two blue people above each message next to the part where it says: "Posted Today x Min ago"

When you click on it, there is a pop-up page that has numbers on it for friend level. I was wondering what that meant. :)

It shows up above other people's message, but not above your own.

The Bugs Bunny pane came out in 2 versions. The difference is most easily seen on the half that has only a single stamp (nine stamps on the other half).

If that single stamp has perforations just like the other nine, then the pane you have is the normal pane and there really is no reason to keep it intact other than it is easier to resell.

BUT, if that single stamp has NO perforations (in other words imperforate, you cannot remove that stamp from that half pane), then you have the variety known as the Bugs Bunny imperf. That complete pane of 10 stamps (even though only that single stamp is imperforate) commands a significant premium and SHOULD BE KEPT INTACT!!

The 2008 Scott catalog for the intact pane with the single imperforate stamp is $150!! The right half pane of the single imperforate stamp is $110, but usually is much harder to sell and rarely comes close to catalog when it does sell.

k

khj,

Thanks for your input. Unfortunately, I'm not one of the lucky ones with the imperforate stamp, but I'm sure that it is really thrilling to find out that you have one! :)

I wonder how many people thought that it was just a defect and just cut it out with scissors just to use it or worse yet, just threw it away thinking that it was just part of the sticker design...

Pat good question about the friends level thing I just put at what level to me they are as my friends 1 is closer than 3 to me can somebody tell us what that means please

Tina...two of the sheets in that series' are on their way to you.

Patricia....You must put the sheet into your topical collection, do not break it up. If the stamp for your topical is in a sheet,Miniature sheet or sheetlet, but others in those sheets are not, it really doesn't matter. You have your subject matter in the sheet and that is enough to display it with pride.

I have many,Many sheets in my Flag collection where only one depicts a flag. I would never dream of breaking them up.

The Dilemma I do have on occasion, is when I find a nice set of stamps and only one is a Flag theme. To buy or not to buy ??

Londonbus1.....'tis a dilemma to be sure