I'll Soon Be Moving From Mnh To Mh To Used Stamp Collecting

I'm brand new to the hobby, so I expect my feelings may change over time. At this point, though, mint stamps really only appeal to me as postage for my cards and letters. :) Used stamps, especially with a nice, interesting cancellation, are much more interesting to me.

As a cancel specialist, unused stamps rarely hold any interest to me. The only real exception to that is if I find a 1st-3rd issue U.S. revenue with full gum (very scarce).

Even when dabbling in worldwide classics, I focus on used examples with SON cancels.

The added bonus is that one never has to deal with NH vs LH vs HH, the regumming minefield, and there is lesser likelihood of degradation due to environmental conditions.

I'll take a VF/XF used example with a nice cancel over a NH specimen... especially at 1/10 or 1/100 the cost.

If I like the look of a stamp, used or not, I will generally go for it. However, if I am building a set, for example, the US definitive series of 1922-1925, I prefer that the set be either all used or all mint. To me, it just looks better that way.

I agree with all your comments about Used over MNH. IMO though I would rather have an unused stamp mearly for appearence reasons. Stamps cancelled with a gallon of ink spilled/ applied to cancell does nothing for me or the stamp. Sarcasm intended. Some of my older stamps in particular are cancelled so heavily the stamp is barely IDENTIFIABLE. I not only like to look at the stamps in my collection but I like to read about the stamp and look at it's features as well.

I like Tinman's comment and it helps me think through this issue. While I still like used stamps for the reasons stated above, I also appreciate the engraving on many stamps of many countries (take Austria, for example, which I recently started collecting) - many of the stamps are so finely engraved that I think they look so much better without the cancellations truly miniature art works.

There is no doubt that a cancellation free, clearly visible stamp presents itself better and makes for a desirable album. And for many years that is all I ever strived for.

Then about 10 years ago... just after my father passed away, I came across a common US stamp that was cancelled on his exact date of birth. (As corny and sentimntal as this may seem) it suddenly dawned on me that there was more "meaning" in cancelled stamps then in mint. Yes, there is less monitary value in cancelled stamps, but a stamp that was cancelled on Dec. 24th, 1916 (as an example) holds my interest a lot longer than a mint, unused version of that same stamp.

I now actrively collect used stmps as readily as mint.

Vic

As a youngster, I could only afford used stamps but expanded into mint stamps when I finally left home and started working. I try to collect a mint,a corner mint block and a used version of stamps. For me the mint stamp shows the beauty of the engraving or production but the used stamps show how much "work" the stamps did. I am also fascinated with the story behind my stamps, that is "Why was the stamp produced and what impact did this event/person have on history?"

I collect used only - I really just like the thought of a stamp that has done postal duty. They're actually quite hard to find in good, sound used condition (even many of the newer issues).

Darnit, EasyOne! Your post has struck a chord with me - might be neat to have a side-by-side mint & used collection. Oi, that would mean custom album pages, wouldn't it?

Since recently getting back to stamps, I've had to grapple with hinged v. never hinged. So I'm going with either one according to price. Also the concept of both mint and used of the same stamp seems like an interesting thing I may try. More pages and binders please!

I'd be interested in pre-made album pages along those lines... blank pages intimidate me.

Zuzu,

Lindner sells what they call the Double-T System. Printed on both sides, one for mint the other for used. I've never used them myself but it sounds interesting. Checkout their web site: www.lindner-usa.com for more information. DD