What Condition Would You Grade This Stamp

Unitrade #103, centering I would consider XF for this issue. Short perf top left though - how much effect does that have on the overall grade?

I realize grading is subjective, just looking for opinions.

Just my opinion, of course, but the bottom right perfs (second and third after postmark) is a bit short, too. That, coupled with the short perf at the top left would render the stamp in a lesser condition than XF. Further, although the stamp looks pretty good in terms of its left to right centering, the top to bottom centering is a bit off-center which is yet another reason why the stamp would be graded at less than XF.

VF

This issue was notorious for poor centering, so I think anything close to perfect centering may command XF centering grade. I'm not an expert though so that may be open to debate.

I agree that the stamp itself can not be XF because of the perfs; I would probably rate it VF, but again I'm not sure what impact a pulled perf has on overall condition. Is it considered a "fault?"

This previous thread on the subject may be of interest:

https://goscf.com/t/33306

Thanks wt1, read through the post although it rather quickly turns into an argument about catalogue values on ebay and how to spell catalogue vs catalog :)

I think my question really boils down to what effect pulled perfs have on the condition of the stamp.

Then you might want to consider this quote from a stamp expertizer:




http://www.stampauthentication.com/Grading.html

The centering is pull a bit towards the left and upwards a big bit, but overall, including the beautiful cancellation with intact date and name, adding to the value of a used example, it rates as a F-VF grade from my old eyes. I do not have a newer catalog(ue) (ha, both are correct) than 2005 so may be missing some grading upgrades and outlines.

The poor displaced perf does draw the eye towards it and detracts from the eye appeal. It is not like a small thin on the back which some may consider not as detracting. I would consider the shorter perfs on the bottom right to be relative in that the longer than other perfs on their left make them look shorter than they are.

So, overll, not considering the back, which I do enjoy considering, the stamp seems to me to still have the F to VF grading, leaning towards the VF. I am open to correction of course. I have seen some of these that have really nice centering.

VF for me...

The imperfect perforation makes this undesirable for me regardless of the centring. Just my way of collecting.

I don't believe that modifying standards of centering "for the issue" is helpful, except in those limited circumstances where the catalogue states that they've modified their usual standards.

Saying "XF for the issue" adds another layer of subjectivity into it, in my mind. If there is a price or a multiplier for true XF items, the CV should reflect the "for the issue" issue by showing a significant premium for XF.

I don't have a concern with a dealer saying "F-VF, but this is about as nice as they come for this set." I'll usually have an idea of how long I've been looking, and how others have compared.

As for this exact stamp, I agree with the comments that it would be hard to look past the top left perf issue. If that perf was normal, I believe I could live with the bottom. Unfortunately, people who are going to pay any significant percentage of CV are going to hold out for a premium example.

My 2d.

Cjd I think you are right to some degree about modifying standards of centering. What should really happen is that the premium for XF centering ends up being much higher than other issues in cases where XF centering is extremely rare.

At the same time, doesn't this kind of modification happen already, ie. the first cents issue is considered VF if the stamps are "reasonably well centered" because the gutters between the stamps are very narrow.

I was almost certain there was a similar footnote in one of my older versions of the Unitrade catalogue, but I can't find it now.

The perf would make it a non-buy for me (as others have said).

Regarding the centering,
I have seen dealers advertise with comments like "rare this nicely centered", or "rare so nice", "rare thus", but the issue of VF to me is about centering (no faults).

This stamp is not perfectly centered (and has perf faults) - but it is well-centered, so if I were selling, I would still say VF centered, BUT with perf fault. I don't downgrade to F/VF because of the perf, I just mention the fault.

In my opinion 'grading' is simply an attempt at standardizing the 'demand' for the stamp; and frankly almost all attempts at this standardization is an inherent failure due to the subjectivity and variation between printings.

Truth is that even the most basic catalog 'value' does not truly reflect the actual value of a stamp. It is a sin that we have to have 'special knowledge' to understand the actual value of a stamp. This issue alone impacts our hobby in many negative ways; never mind taking it to the next level of 'grading'.

A far better solution is to understand 'comps', for the same stamp in the same condition/centering what has the market supported in the last 12 months? My hope is that one day catalog publishers will be able to draw upon a real-time centralized database of values of actual prices paid for stamp in various conditions. No more 'XX% of catalog value' formula needed, perform a search and have it do the math. Average price paid over last 6 months, show images of the actual stamps sold, etc.

Catalog publishers are headed in this direction but have been painfully slow in making the transition to online catalogs. Amos has the database backend built but currently only offers a single app and that doesn't capture real-time valuation data. They would simply have to partner with the online auctions and other sellers to be able to tap into this data and offer the compilation to their users/subscribers. Frankly this is not as hard as you might think; Amazon is currently able to process 2.5 million price changes per day and present them to users for free. And of course this solution also supports being able to offer hobbyists just the countries or areas of interest they the desire.

The first catalog publisher to get there will capture the golden ring but until then the multitude of grades and grading systems only serves as added layers of subjective confusion.
don

Looks like used FVF toe.

51studebaker




I did just that in a recent thread. You will have to scroll down a bit ti see the graph and actual stamps.

https://goscf.com/t/33306&SearchTerms=quebec,


Catalogue prices especially Unitrade are set by dealers who are inclined to favour inflated prices. I don't think they care what stamps sell for on ebay.