Why Has This Straddle Margin 1868 30 Cent Franklin F Grill Scott 100 Not Sold

I spoke with Chrstopher Rupp today who is finishing up the sale of the contents of my United States collection. There are two stamps left, one of which is this Scott 100 with straddle margin. We talked about why it has not sold and what collectors are looking for. It is a genuinely rare position piece for this particular stamp, and we were both left scratching our heads as to why it has become an orphan. If it does not sell soon Christopher will take it because he knows and appreciates its true value. We can only surmise that it is because it has a straight edge which, if you know the issue well, is really a kind of a silly reason to take a pass. It has two clean certs.

I am looking for thoughts and opinions on why it has yet to find a home.

Price.

If you check the sales of 100s for the last 90 days on eBay, many went unsold and those that sold were generally south of $150, even $100. Also while a position piece, who all are chasing such positions currently? And yes, I see many priced higher than yours just sitting there as well. Even SCF member risny1 has a used copy at twice your price. So yours, with others, are waiting for buyers who are willing to pay over 20% of cat.

Edit: This post is from one who is looking position piece on a 112 which is to say I appreciate position pieces.

Good points PPG. The 100 was listed privately to Christopher's clients long before it hit Ebay with no takers which surprised us both. I originally purchased it from Christopher. Everyone on Ebay is so fixated on percentages of cv. Jeez.

Rogdcam - it could be a combination of a few things. the LL corner could be perceived to be a bit rounded, especially when compared with the beautifully complete UL corner, sticking out all loud and proud. Some might question the F-VF - it is definitely centered low. It has 3 very large margins, and the 4th, although probably typical for the issue, seems to come up short. Next, straddle margins seem to be the red-headed stp-child of this era - I've picked up a few because I just couldn't let them go (at auction) at the price they were going for. Maybe the market for the issue is softer than previously thought - even ***I*** don't believe that, though. But that parallels my last possibility - maybe there is s 'soft spot' in the demand for this particular issue with Chris' clientelle.

People-in-the-know know that all of my points are a bunch of BS. It IS F-VF, the LL corner isn't rounded, and the market should support such an offering. But, just a little bit of a perception along each one of my points may add up to a "PASS". Maybe give it more time? Really, your only other option is to reduce the price, but I think it is fair. The right guy just hasn't come along yet.

Mooter - All valid points. Thank you for your take.

Siegel has only sold two straddle copies of 100. This one above was sold by them in 2010 for $450 plus tip. The previous example was sold in 2007 for $750 plus tip.

The Siegel description of my stamps was:

Does Rupp have a retail store? I just noticed I live 10 minutes from the PO Box on the website. Are they just mail order lists and ebay stuff?

Siegel's clientele is different than eBay. They, Siegel, like to rerun prior selling items. Perhaps you can get them to take it again, but other than the one other item not sold you may not hit their minimum. But of course, what have 100s been selling for with them is a question to check.

Rupp sends out lists to their clientele. Lower value things and things that don't sell go to Ebay after a while.




True. Christopher will take the stamp if nobody buys it by year end. He appreciates what it is.

What is the asking price for yours Rogdcam?

Surprised it hadn't been reperforated on the right side at some point...

Personally, I would never consider a straight edge stamp for my collection.

Given how tight the margins were for this issue a jumbo would be immediately flagged I would think.

PS: The PF has certified just one other straddle margin copy which is poorly centered. This 100 is a genuinely rare bird if the right knowledgeable person would find it.

That was the first thing that occurred to me, too. Rarity has never stopped people before, just look at all the rare and even unique multiples which have been destroyed in the grading craze.

I continue to gain knowledge from you guys.
Quick question: Is "straddle margin" synonymous with "jumbo", or does it imply perforations that exceed a second design (or both)?
I've browsed eBay for "straddle" margins and they seem to be comprised of usually both of the qualities mentioned above, or just one or the other.

Would this be considered a straddle margin?





And don't mean to hijack your thread Rogdcam.
Yours obviously beats mine to a pulp!

This example does not appear to have a margin that is straight enough; it looks trimmed.

Stephen-P, a straddle-margin stamp is one that has a large enough margin on one side to show a portion of the stamp on the adjoining pane; it does not signify anything about the size of the other margins. A jumbo stamp has four large margins, most often with very fine or better centering.