Certification Of World Classic Stamps

Although stamp certification is a common, and in many cases, expected situation with classic United States stamps, except for the British commonwealth, I have seen very few certificates for classic foreign stamps. Even the PF search site shows a relative paucity for this category. What has been other forum members experience with cetification of classic foreign stamps and what criteria do you use to decide which stamps to send. For example, I generally collect pre 1920 and would think about sending unused gummed or no gum stamps or attractive used classic stamps with a minimum catalog value of at least $100, and in some cases, $250. Examples of such stamps that I have recently sent for certs would be stamps like unused Austria #127, #142, #144; Spain #209; and Mexico #255 and #256. Although I have an idea as to what is expected for stamps like these in the US, I have no good feeling about the expectation of a cert for these foreign stamps, nor whether I am throwing my money away-- (on the stamps, on the certs, or both?) But they sure are beautiful.

My collection is mostly pre-1950 non-US stamps, expecially Latin America. I will consider getting a stamp certified if it ...

1. ... is an uncommon stamp or variety, expecially if it fills an important hole on the page that was hard to fill.

2. ... is an example of a stamp that is commonly counterfeited, especially with regards to overprints, surcharges, etc.

-- or --

3. ... is worth money. I don't have a set value, but if a stamp does not fulfill either of the above requirements, it would have to have a catalog value of $150 or more to be worth getting a cert. Stamps that fulfill one or both of the above conditions have a threshold much lower, say $75 - $100.

I use a certificate to validate authenticity, not necessarily to add value to a specimen. Hence the chance I might get $50 stamp certified, if it was hard to come by or has a dodgy look to it. Especially with the area I collect, it is always best to exclude forgery and fakery if there is a questionable item.

Hi DCottrell

What do you do with the Seebecks? Some issues are pretty pricy in Scott if not Seebeck. Getting certs for Seebecks could run into a lot of money, since there are so many of them.

Jerry B

Where do you send your foreign stamps for certification?

Hi

So far I have not sent anything to be certified. I have enough information for my Colombia collection that I haven't needed it so far. I do not have a lot of the earlier material so it is not really a problem. As for Seebecks, Ecuador only, I have stock pages of them. A friend offered to lend me the book on Seebecks but I never got back to him. If I was going to send for certification I would probably send the items to Colombia.

Jerry B