$15,000 For Stamps - That Aren't Pretty ?

check out momenstamps, there is a set going for over $15000.00, they may be rare- but there isn't anything eye appealing about them. If I was spending that kind of money- they would have to be "pretty".

Link ?

You're certainly entitled to your collecting aesthetic preference, but not everyone collects by "pretty". Some are more interested in the usage or scarcity, where "rare" may play a larger factor than "pretty".

Some of my most prized philatelic items are the least "pretty" in my collection.

Depending on what you collect, for some items the populations are low enough, that "pretty" may not even be an option if you plan to ever own one.

P.S. Yes, a link to the exact item page would help. I did a brief look on his site and couldn't find the set you are referring to.

To echo the others, a link - or even better, a scan, if you can lift one - would be a great help.

I'd also echo revenuecollector: rarity in the broadest sense is more of a determining factor at that sort of price level. I'd go further, and say that, at $15,000, you're unlikely to find anything too pretty.

One of my most prized possessions is this cover of the Barwani State 1931 1 Anna perf 11 imperf between pair:



Quite possibly unique; at least, I've never heard of another. It's at £11,250 (about $US20,000) in the current Gibbons catalogue. And most emphatically I did not pay that much for it, or anything like it. But if I saw it offered now, I'd happily take out a mortgage on the house to buy it for $15,000.

Beauty is so very much in the eye of the collector

OK, I'm confused. If this is unique, and you are the owner, and you didn't even pay close to $US20,000, then why is it valued in ANY catalog at ANY price? Did you buy it at a public auction many years ago and the assumption is that the price has gone up by so much? Just curious.

By the way, congrats on a beautiful stamp, by my eyes ...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_ssn...tamps&_sop=3

I hope the above is a link. I am new to this Stamp world, (lousy on computers) for me, it's not about the rarity or value. Sure I would be thrilled to pay 10.00 for a 10,000.00 stamp, but for me, paying 1.00 on something that is pretty- unique - artistic - eye appealing is what I am interested in. I most certainly respect those who collect for rarity- hope I didn't offend anyone, I didn't mean too. Thanks for sharing, I really enjoy this site.

Hey Tonymac, those stamps of yours are pretty :)

Assuming you are referring to the China set, it doesn't surprise me that it's that high if it's as rare as he claims. China rarities are smoking hot right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOMEN-PRC-C...em2c75b30967

Partime, to answer your question



There are maybe three serious collectors of Barwani in the world. The other two obviously didn't see the catalogue when this was offered for public auction years ago, in London. But with only three collectors willing to put up serious money, prices for Barwani are all over the place. (And to be fair to Gibbons, they price the imperf between pair, used only, and I applied their suggested multiple of 3x for the item on cover. Still, I've never seen or heard of any other imperf between pairs, on or off cover.)

So as you can see, I bought it for my collection, not with any idea of it appreciating in value. That it has done so, is a very nice, very welcome, bonus.

Anyway, I'm truly delighted to know you can see the beauty of these stamps. I've always thought they were beautiful, but strange to say, many wouldn't agree

In the Indian States, that I collect, though, there aren't many $15,000 items, and those that there are are all pretty - shall we say? - challenging. Certainly not pretty, in any ordinary sense. This Jammu & Kashmir stamp



would set you back in the four figures. If you, or anyone else, had the money to throw around, would you buy it?

do you realize that the set from momen stamps has 47 bids? There is no shortage of interest.

Pretty expensive.

China makes personalized stamps / labels also. Anyone have any? Those are pretty to me and worth something.

That's the whole point of it all anyway. To get things that are worth it to you.

I for one think the momen China set is beautiful! Just not $27,200 beautiful. WOW, nuts.

I think that momen seller fell and bumped his head! Any see the prices for some of that stuff even though the centering is great on most of that stuff, besides the fact they are mint most are common enough that I could see easily a few hundred but between 4k-9k is, in m opinion outrageous! There are a few that could warrant that sort of money at auction with the right people but I don't think ebay will get top dollar like he as them marked? I might be wrong but that's just my opinion.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_ssn...tamps&_sop=3

No likey, no buy.

Simple.

Check out momen's US 118a Mint for US $9,999.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/momen-US-St...em2c6490e9f7


Absolutely no mention of the re-perfing, you don't even have to measure it, check out the bottom frame line

Actually the top and bottom perfs match up to each other quite well, and they appear well within a normal height level variance. I think there is a pretty good chance that they are genuine.