The Penny Black

Hi

I am new to this forum and hoping someone can help me. My dad is turning 60 this month and I wanted to make his birthday really special. I am really close to him and he has always been there and supported me through the problems I have come across in life.

He used to be big collecting stamps but since my mum's health has got so bad he doesnt have any time or motivation for anything.

Anyway I came across this on ebay but I am scared to buy. How do I know if this is genuine or not. I don't really want to spend that kind of money only for it to be a copy or fake.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WORLDS-FIRS...em43a49af979

and this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Penny-Black...em35d2cc872e

All comments welcomed, along with advise and other suggestions.

Thank you

Your first link is to stamps with "two or less margins, with possible faults" which means space-filler quality and are readily available for a few pounds/dollars... but are still almost worthless.

Forget the first one. You are just paying extra for a plastic box and for a bit of paper telling you the stamp is authentic. The second one currently at £56 on the bay looks much nicer, with a red maltese Cross cancellation, an intense black colour, and four clear margins. There is small ink loss to the edge design in places, but that would not put me off. Some keen interest in this one so expect the bidding to go higher.

Terry

Your second link is to a plate 6 Penny Black with check letters QB. A four margin stamp and seems to have attracted some interest from bidders. Decent looking stamp but, in my opinion, might have some issues with the bottom as there seems to be a crease mark thru the E and N of PENNY. Might reach £125 or a bit more before bidding ends.

Thank you so much for replying, I am really really gratefull for your advise. I shall keep an eye on the second link. :)

Is there any other suggestions you guys can make in terms of a gift?

A nice present might be an 1841 4 margin imperforated Penny Red stamp with your father's initials as check letters (AA to TL). With a good black Maltese Cross cancellation they look really nice. Very reasonable prices too.

Ok thanks, am really not clued up in this area. Where would be the best place to purchase this?

Tina - I have three grown kids and I hope that they would never buy me anything for my collection. Philately is a specialty and unless you are very well informed about the field - and your father's collection - I'd recommend you don't go there.

I am no expert at all on Penny Blacks or UK stamps, and, in general,I agree with CanadaStamp's advice. BUT - this is a special occasion and Tina really wants to do something special. There are so many experts here, I hope you all can help her through this.
A few cautions and I bet it can be done.
Tina - a couple of questions - do you know if your father has a Penny Black? If not, you should inquire. A casual conversation (you have to be a good actress) ... at some point, ask him what the world's first postage stamp was (hopefully he knows it was a Penny Black) and then ask if he has one.
Assuming the answers are positive .. shop around.

If you use ebay, I bet you can get a nice copy from somwhere between $75 and $250. (Experts - what do you say?)

Just be sure the seller has a great rating - like 99 percent or better. If you are leery - don't buy it. You may pay more, but you could then try a big commercial dealer. If you are in US - be sure they belong to ASDA.

Feel free to ask more questions here - people will answer.

No need to be a specialist to collect or buy stamps, Tinamistry, as the vast majority of stamps are worth only pennies. Some are worth more but you have started out correctly in asking questions on quality etc. Nobody... not even specialists... start out as an expert.
Why not ask your father if he'd like a Penny Black or something more simple like this...



With his correct initials in the corners,it might be suitable. Around £12 - £20 is a normal price. I look around mostly UK sites as their quality and prices are in the realms of reality in most cases. Look for a PTS (a trade badge) mark on the web sites which ensures fair trading etc.
http://www.qvpennies.com/
is a good place to start. Then ask questions...

Wow thanks for all your replies. Advice is what am after so all comments are appreicated. :)

centerstage98 thanks for your kind words. I know my Dad hasn't got the Penny Black, it recently came up in conversation when I was fishing for ideas as he was telling me this was one stamp he would have liked but didnt have. Hence since then I have been looking.

Thanks scotzm - I am thinking if I dont find a Penny Black then your suggestion would be great idea. Just need to find somewhere to buy it from.

Hi

Sorry but just wanted to check scotzm suggestion with correct initials - would JM be available. I don't understand how the letter system works :/

Sorry, No JM
Stamp in the top left corner was AA, with the first letter the row, and the second letter the column.
Across the top row, stamps had the corner letters: AA, AB, AC, AD, AE,...AK, AL
Next row went from BA to BL
and so on down to TA to TL.
First letter was A-T (20 rows), second letter A-L (12 columns)

Ok thanks

So what about this.... any good?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1840-1d-b...331145808672


or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1d-one-pe...151247010603

I would keep looking. I doubt you will find a decent example at that price level. You should be able to get a nice stamp for around £150. Look at the seller as well as the stamp.

Terry

Those are really ugly stamps.

As you're in the US, I'd drop Doug McGill a note and ask him what he has in stock in your price range: http://www.mypennyblacks.com/
Doug is in LA.
Chip