Question Regarding Determining The Condition Of A Stamp For Possible Use In Trading.

I am a relative beginner and would appreciate advice on determining whether or not a stamp would be suitable to use for trading. I do not intend to post any stamps for trading on this site at present. I only wish to gain a better understanding of how to make a proper determination of a stamp's condition to know whether a stamp that I am not interested in should be saved for a possible future trade or thrown away.

Here is a sample stamp.



This stamp has a few perforations torn off in the upper left corner. Would it be acceptable for use in trading or should I just throw it away?




I realize this question is somewhat subjective, but any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi, there's also what looks like a brown stain midway along the top of the stamp, and pen marks in the bottom margin. I guess that's a throwaway!

You can simply ask yourself : would I be happy when I receive this stamp?

When the answer is no then you throw this type of stamps away.

Thanks Flightle_Bee. I did not notice the brown stain. Assume for a moment that there was no stain. Would you still consider it a throw away?

Thanks for the reply hansthedutchman. This is a difficult decision for me. If this were a stamp that I was interested in, I would keep it and then perhaps exchange it out if I got a better one. Yet, I do not think I would feel comfortable giving it as an exchange.

In my book "STAMP DEALERS GUIDE TO CHEATING CUSTOMERS " I write about my own experiences .

At the age of 12 or 13 ,I was ready to expand my worldwide stamp collection , and build a nice early U.S. showing in my stamp album . Took all the money I saved for months to a local stamp shop . Walked in with my $7.00 .
Told him what I wanted , He told me he was going to give me a "deal " and reduce his price ,so I get over $10.00 catalog of U.S. stamps .....what a nice guy !
Two year after that experience , at a Ogden Hills Stamp Club meeting . I learned with a straight edge on a stamp means , then I learned what a pressed out crease means , and then understood what a heavy cancel does to catalog value . As in your case a rounded corner does to a young buyer who thinks he got a bargain.

Rode my bike home and cried .

Sorry if it sounds harsh. There always will be someone who would be satisfied with that stamp. The probability of finding that someone is zero. It has no value. Anyone who, seriously, wants to trade will not trade anything but a space filler for that stamp.

Thanks floortrader. Great story. I appreciate your words of wisdom. Sounds like a great book.

It does not sound harsh, NSK. It is exactly the kind of information that I need. Experience creates wisdom. Thanks.