Penny Black

I was wanting to buy myself a penny black for my dreaded 50th b'day this month. I have been looking at a couple on ebay, but that sort of makes me nervous. Just wondering if anyone has a suggestion on where to buy one. I guess as a stamp collector I have really been wanting one of the first stamps. Doesn't even have to be in good shape, but I didn't want to fall for a fake. Thanks for any direction or help you can send my way!

Karen

I got one with 4 margins from a dealer in the U.K. for only $38 on ebay. The trick is not to bid more than you want to spend (I was willing to go to $50). The U.K. dealers have a bigger stock, so if you see one you like, even if the price is high, check out his other items. There will probably be more in his stock, and just bid what you can afford. There will always be more PB's.

I also got a Mulready sheet ob ebay for $224. I got a U.S. #1 on another site for $114; I had been looking for one for a year. Waiting pays.

Thank you, Zipper! That info helps. I just wasn't sure about ebay on this particular stamp. I have bought stamps in the past successfully on ebay, though.

Here's a link to the Penny Black that I got.

https://goscf.com/t/29103

You're quite welcome. Patience really is a virtue.

Of course it always pays to be alert, but I think it is far more likely that an affordable Penny Black from a dealer will have some damage, or be short on a margin or two, than be a fake. Decide how close to 'perfect' you want to be, and bid accordingly.

There will always be another.

Zipper...nice stamp. I would be extremely happy if I could find one like that!

cjd...thanks for alleviating my fear. I know it will be nowhere close to perfect, but I worried about getting a fake. I'll keep looking.

you might think about getting one with your initials if you're looking to mark an occasion with the stamp.
If your initials are between AA and TL, you can look for one that matches.
Best bet is to search ebay UK - http://www.ebay.com and put your initials in the search box for GB stamps.
Over time, you'll have many to choose from. However, be careful that you don't let it become an obsession
Chip
http://victoria.cgpostal.com

added note - I typed in === ebay . co . uk === (without the spaces) and the board "translated" that to === ebay . com ===
I'd look on the co.uk site.
chip

chipg...Oh, wow! Thank you! I will definitely look into it and the UK ebay.

Karen

Well, I had bought a Penny Black off of ebay on Sunday and I just received a notice saying they couldn't find it or sold it, so my money was refunded. I must say I'm a little disappointed. I'll keep on the lookout for another one I like, though.