What It Is Worth ?

I'm very new to this hobby (in fact I got started last week after I browsed through mystic stamp company's stamp catalog that I got for free). Nonetheless, while browsing ebay I liked few mint never hinged sheets and bought then for $60.

The Scott numbers are :

949 (one corner stamp missing from the sheet)
1006
1022
1027
1073
1081
1145
1147
1148
1149
1151
1162

According to Mystic's catalog or Brookman's catalog, these stamps approximately have CV close to $120. However, I think some of these these "non standard" catalogs quote inflated price for their business interests.

I thought about going to the library and checking Scott catalog (though I don't know which volume to check for mint sheets) but that didn't happen yet.

Can any of you experts give me any rough idea about the fair value of these sheets ?

This is my first post. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to SCF, sonalee!!

You are wise to recognize that the prices in Mystic and Brookman may be inflated. As a general rule, any company that publishes a comprehensive illustrated catalog and also sells the same stamps -- it's a good bet that the prices are quite inflated. This applies even to Stanley Gibbons, as well. For those of you who don't believe me, just try selling your stamps to SG!

Even with Scott and Michel (they currently don't sell stamps), stamp dealers STILL often sell stamps at notable discount off those standard catalog prices.

Regarding your sheets -- I don't have a catalog handy. But as a very rough general rule, the approximate average retail value of post WWII 3c sheets is 4x face, and 4c sheets is 2x face. A few of the issues will be higher, but that's a rough general rule. So it looks like you paid fairly close to average retail. This is a guesstimate, since I haven't checked the specific issues.

The WHOLESALE value of the 3c sheets is currently roughly 2x face, and the 4c sheets are roughly 1.25x face. The wholesale market is dropping, after a surprising rise during the past decade. I say surprising because supply still outweighs demand.

Kim

In general, the Scott catalog does not price mint sheets.

Mint sheets are a lot of fun to collect. I was at it for a while, but now my mint sheet albums have been sitting on the shelf for quite some time.

You've got a nice start to the hobby, and I know you will enjoy it immensely! I've been at it for nearly 4 decades, and it only gets more and more fun!

k

Welcome to the forum sonalee!

KHJ,

Thanks for providing me the rule of thumb. I'll try to remember it. Few more questions for your kind considerations:

1) Do you have a rule of thumb for post WWI 3c/4c MNH plate blocks ?
2) What online reference is best to get an idea of fair value of a post 1940 mint or plate block specimen ?
3) What are your personal favorite scott#s issued between 1940-1960 ?
4) What are the some of the valuable ones (issued between 1940-1960)?
5) What is the best online reference to learn the history of a post 1940 issue ?

and last but not the least :
6) Where I can buy glassine envelopes at cheaper price ?

I assume you mean post-WWII (I have no rule of thumb for WWII and earlier, it varies too much). You should not be paying more than 2x face for the 3c MNH PBs (even that, in my opinion, is overpriced but an artifact of the current wholesale market), and no more than 1.5x face for 4c PBs. That's what I charge (shameless plug). But remember, you cannot post buy/sell on SCF until you get past 50 "quality" posts. Keep in mind, that you can ALWAYS find a cheaper seller.



SCF, of course!
Someone else will have to chime in on these 2.



I'm terribly biased here -- if I'm not limited to commemoratives, then it has to be the Liberty Series #1030-1059A. I love this series and collect the plate blocks by numbers and position. Been at it for a while and not even close to finished. I also collect the mint sheets, but that's on hold because the current prices are too rich for me.

If it has to be a commemorative, well then of course #1075 FIPEX S/S. Guess what 2 stamps are shown on that S/S!

What about you? And also the other Forum members as well!



Phil had some, not sure if they are still available. Again, you need 50 posts before you are permitted to buy/sell from SCF posts. Here is the link https://goscf.com/t/5541.
Check with him regarding current availability.

If they are no longer available from Phil, then email me your location (in US? which state?) and I'll try to provide you with some suitable supplies dealers. I do not sell supplies.

I need to get back to work, I mean sleep, err... work?

Please drop by SCF often!

k

Khj,

You rock ! I wish I could buy from you sooner.

Let me ask you this - How much the following should cost ?

778, 1075 (your favorite), 1331, 1311 SS ?

There are plenty of others that sell at prices even lower than mine.

The key is to enjoy your purchase. Price doesn't always have to be the deciding factor.

Check out Phil's thread https://goscf.com/t/6013

i use mystic just to see if some of the stamps have any value.
i would expect that the value is usually about half of what mystic list for.
in these days some can not always afford a new scotts every year.

thanks dan

You should be able to get 778 and 1075 for $1 or less each.

I assume you mean 1311, not 1331. The 1311 S/S should be 10c or less. It is an extremely common item.

LoneDan,

I think mystic's prices are 4 times the wholesale price.
In Mystic 2009, #778 is priced $4.00, #1075 is priced $4.95, #1311 is priced 0.50. Now look at the price khj is quoting. $1, $1 and 10 cents. Just 25% of Mystic ! I think I'll take Mystics prices and user a conversion factor of 0.25 to get the fair value (plus /minus 5% may be).

Sorry, I should clarify.

778, 50c-$1
1075, 75c-$1
1311, 5c-10c

Higher than that, probably suggest to shop around
Lower than that, you got a very good deal.

Just my opinion.

KHJ,

I live in Tampa, FL.
I can't buy glassins from Phil since I do not have 50 posts (who invented this weird rule ?)
I need at least 200 #7 glassine envelops (for plate blocks)

The rule is to instill confidence in buyers and sellers. Also to keep those only interested in peddling wares from inundating this site.

I actually think it is a good rule.

I'm on a road trip right now. There are stamp stores in the Florida area. You might want to try just looking in the yellow pages.

It doesn't take long to get to 50 posts. You are almost 20% of the way there already!

I do have one question -- may I ask why do you need #7 glassines? These are relatively large and not cheap. For normal US plate blocks of 4, #4 or #4.5 usually suffice.

k

khj,

Thanks for your information. "Someone" told me to buy #7 for PBs ! Had you not clarified the size, I would have wasted some money.

What do you recommend for Mint Sheets ? are these glassines for sheets ? anything else ?