Even The Severely Damaged Will Sell

I came across this ebay listing earlier in the day and was surprised to see that this badly damaged US Scott #278 (misidentified by the seller as #277) eventually sold for over 7% of the 2011 Scott catalog value for a stamp graded Fine ($290).



http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAP...BUAA:US:1123

There is an outside chance that the stamp didn't have a watermark, making it a First Bureau Issue #263 with a Fine CV of $1275, and that would put the sale price more in line with what I would have expected for a stamp in that condition (~ 1 to 2% of CV).

Is this an unusual occurrence or have I just not paid sufficient attention to what has been selling on ebay?

I wouldn't pay anything for it.

It's just gross.

That one is a tad well used I would say, yes.

However, when a stamp's perceived value is much , much higher than one could ever hope to be able to pay for it, at the time of consideration of a purchase, sometimes a fellow is happy as a clam to get a really real (not a facsimile or photocopy of) copy of such a treasure.

There was a Nova Scotia stamp (catalogue value $3000+) on ebay a while ago that had seen better days and was not a fine or very fine example to grace anyone's collection. But I had wanted one of these for many years, always thinking I would never be able to have one. I bid on it and lost as someone else wanted it a bit more than I did.

But I think that the bidder(s) of such a damaged, usually ignored and shunned stamp would have to have an emotional bond to the idea of having one, otherwise it would just be another stamp.

For example, if a damaged copy of a stamp from a place I do not collect or even know about comes up for auction I would not even be looking at it and considering why anyone would want it.

If, within your own collecting area, which you have studied and paid attention to over time, a stamp is on auction then you would tend to pay more attention to such a one, in whatever condition.

Some people can't afford to pay more for a fine example of a stamp.

I just love the grading system...Fine = Appalling

it is an awful looking stamp.... I don't think I would buy it... even if I had only $1.00 or 2 per month to spend on stamps I wouldn't own it...
but some people will buy anything..

this gives me an idea of what to do with some damaged stamps I have....(didn't buy them)

Damaged stamps like the one shown should be buried in the stamp grave yard. Doesn't even rate as good. Does nothing to enhance the hobby.

It reminds me of an ebay seller from Germany who habitually describes his lots as 'GOOD STAMPS IN OFTEN BAD CONDITION.' The lots still seem to sell very well, actually.

I'm afraid I disagree with most of you all here. I think the stamp looks beautiful. Of course, I think all stamps look beautiful.

I see a stamp that has served it's duty, was not forgotten, and found a loving place in the collection of a philatelist who recognizes that an empty spot in an album is a lonely sight. Others like it, were long tossed in the trash, along with many sound stamps as well. The fact is, more stamps get put in the trash, than get collected.

I think the story of its sale is beautiful. My opinion.

I never throw away stamps. Even stamps ripped in half, will always have an art project somewhere waiting for it. I still remember with fondness the "badly" damaged stamps that were part of my collection in my youth. Yeah, I'm sure some of them are STILL in my main collection.

k

I might add, that as large (relatively speaking) as my collection is, I don't have that stamp in my collection, and I probably never will. So the buyer is 1 up on me. I agree that the buyer overpaid, but they got what they wanted -- which is more than I got in that album spot.

Here is another Gem, and 3 bids for this ? (Sorry but I use Firefox so I can't save the Picture)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WOW-90c-USE...em3f0f159364

Hopefully the picture will be available for a little while.

looks like a mouse had a nibble on that. About 4 minutes left. Surely you don't want to pay full price for a stamp that's not all there.

omg, if you soaked it to get the hinges off it would disintegrate

Here is the stamp that stallzer was referring to in his recent post:



Unlike the stamp I posted, the condition of which was described as "USED,tear,thin" this seller is to be commended for providing the following description:

My opinion regarding these space fillers is that eventuallly one would like a better example in ones collection. I agree with those who advocate that this stamp would be better than no stamp, but if in the future you wished to upgrade you may not find any buyers for your old stamp.

Would it be preferable to save the resources for a stamp in better condition or just fill the spot in your album for now?

This is a real dilema for many collectors such as myself.

I would leave the spot open and wait for an appropriate tenant !