Collecting Used V Mint

Let me put a slight twist on this topic as it may answer the original post better.
If money was no object, which would you prefer to collect if you had to chose?
Myself, I would choose nice cancelled stamps, because they have a history. Dated copies are ideal, because you can see that they fulfilled their original purpose during the time they were "in period".
The date must be right, though I am flexible as long as it is not an obvious late use.
Fancy corks, etc are nice as well, if genuine.

I prefer mint for my main US Collection, but since I have joined this forum I have neglected US single stamps a bit. I am really beginning to like fancy cancels, cut squares, US covers and stampless covers. I am more into learning the history now and have purchased several books.

Reading this made me think of a question for collectors of US stamps who stated that they collect mint but mentioned that if it's out of budget a used stamp with a light cancel would make their way in the collection.

Are you opting for used simply because of the want/need to fill a spot? Personally I doubt I'll ever seek a used US stamp as a replacement, even if that means I'll never own it. The only way that may change is if down the line I start up a secondary US collection which would be used only.

Anyone else who shares the same line of thought?
CF

I prefer used because the postmark adds to the story the stamp can tell, but if the only copy I can get is unused, I will reluctantly buy it and fill in the gap in the album page.

I collect mint across the board, with the exception of pre-1900, where I have no problem going used if necessary.

I collect both...
Ram

Both. I love the history of a postally used item, but a hundred year old stamp in post office fresh condition gets me going too.

For Vatican, BIOT, FSAT amd BAT, Ryukus are 100% mint. The rest of the world is a mix if I had a choice I would always go for mint. Old old stamps from certain countries drive me nuts with fly speck collection. Color variations, perf difference, watermarks, I really don't like that level of detail. I like stamps from countries that have something to do with that country. As a result Duns and other small island couontries that print Princess Diana or space or something they have nothing to do with I don't even bother with. The stamps need to reflex the country and its important issues and flora and fauna and landscapes, and etc.

I have to admit ot a weakness for train stamps. I will get a train stamp from any country doesn't mater if they never saw a train intheir country I really like trains.

Its what makes the world go round I guess we all have variations to our rules for just about everything and stamp collecting is no exception.
Nick

I prefer "unused". They obviously look the best, and that is what I'm after...Eye Value. This gets harder and more expensive of course, the more stamps one collects. I only collect U.S. regular issues, commemoratives and airmail from 1988 on back.

My strategy is to use flaws on the back, that can't be seen from the front, which lowers the price of the stamp. The trouble is what dollar figure I am willing to go to before I have to think about used, rather than unused.

The Graf Zeppelins would be used. But the gray area in-between is unidentified as of yet.


-IBFS

A very dry argument without examples ...

I like used, and on cover even better. Take these two examples from Charkhari State in India:



This is the (imperf version of the) 1921 provisional postage and revenue 1 Anna, and here is the perf version, properly used on cover:

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Which has more appeal? To me, there's simply no contest.

So is it the older stamps with amazing cancels on them that attract the used collector and the cover collector mostly.

What about modern, and modern I mean 1980'ish to now, they just do not come with great cancels for the most part.

Modern used collectors seem to go for a small very light cancels big time and not mint or unused.

I have had many inquires about older stamps having good strong colour as the most important thing for them as a collector.

I take what I get, but prefer used. I like the idea that stamp has gone through the postal system and has somekind of history behind it. Always better if it has a nice cancellation and if it has an intresting place, date or other detail on it.

Collect Canadian MNH. My collection is fairly complete in the years that are affordable. Now the stamps I need are getting to be a lot more demanding on the credit card. I guess my requirements will have to change to mint very lightly hinged to used some time in the future. So far still getting MNH in the $100 - $200 range. My real love is a MNH stamp with pristine gum. What can I say.

My US collection is basically used. It's not my main collecting area and I don't want to compete with the MNH crowd, so used is fine.

My early Spanish collection is a bit different. I strive to get both used and unused examples, although many are cost prohibitive (even used) right now. But, I'm not that enamored with NH either. Lightly hinged, hinge remnant, or even with the gum removed is acceptable for unused.

I am an equal opportunity WW classical collector.

* I like both used and unused on an album page.
* I pay a bit of attention to catalogue value. If genuine unused is higher CV, I seek them out.
* I do like unused, because I like to admire the stamp design "fresh".
* But I also like cancellations that are clean and readable, and tell a story.

Bottom line- short:I like them both!