Unitrade Editor

One other question which is loosely related - modern used material is priced at fine. Why not list used prices at VF, just like mint? Especially if grading only refers to centering, then there should be no difference between mint and used when it comes to grade.

Personally, as a collector of the highest quality used I can find, I find it a little frustrating that my VF copies are ascribed a CV based on a Fine grade. Of course this works in my favor when buying.

I would also think a VF grade would be more meaningful and relevant, as it appears to me the market for Fine used modern material is basically dead, and the only thing that really sells is top end material.

I look forward to Robin aka "Unitrade Editor" answer on the VF-F question posted above.

Not meaning to step ahead, but I've encountered this subjective but objective quandary at trade shows when haggling. I usually flip to the very front of the Unitrade, which has guidance on this, but bifurcates the aspects according to age to a large degree. Ie, stamps from 1880 could be VF with only 3 clear margins, but stamps from 1950 should have all 4 margins. To me this is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).

Re: F / VF / etc.

Grading (i.e. Fine, Very Fine, etc.) only refers to the centering of the stamp; on used stamps the cancellation is also a factor in determining the grade.

The gum and any flaws (i.e. condition) must be noted in addition to the grading.

Wider margins on older stamps, fresh color, light or scarce cancels can increase the value of a stamp.

The grading illustrations on page 17 were recently tweaked to show VF, F, and VG stamps (compared to XF, VF, F-VF illustrations in previous editions). I have received several positive comments from collectors on this subtle change since, by far, the marjority of stamps are less than VF quality.

I have been doing quite a bit of study of ebay listings recently and have found that most of the listings are not accurate. This is a market where the collector must be very careful in their purchases. I have purchased different items recently on ebay as a test and have yet to receive one stamp in the quality that was described by the seller. Faults, no matter how minor, are not being included in the descriptions. For ebay purchases, I definitely overpaid paid for what I actually received.


Re: modern used pricing

The Unitrade catalogue prices modern used stamps as Fine because it represents the typical modern used stamp based on the type of cancellations that are generally found.

Notes throughout the Unitrade listings of modern stamps highlight the pricing premium (i.e. VF) for better cancellations.


Robin Harris
Editor, Unitrade catalogue

By the way Robin, thanks for keeping the paper quality of your 2014 catalog the same...I also divide my time on the coin side and the Charlton catalog is using cheaper paper from last year...at least you maintain quality..great work.

Wert:

I'm afraid I can't accept the thanks on the paper quality as I am not involved in any aspect of choosing the printer and related specifications (i.e. paper type, cover, binding, etc.).

Robin, on the forum here you are to us the representative of Unitrade...Who else am I to thank...haha...But your involvement with the context of the catalog takes a lot of frustrating hours on your behalf..Good job.

Wert:

Don't get me wrong, I am thankful that you are happy with the paper quality

Over the years I have been thanked for the cover illustration, something else I have nothing to do with.

Shortly after I took over as editor, it seemed like the only compliments I heard about the catalogue were those parts that I had nothing to do with even though those are less than 1% of the total catalogue experience.

By the way, I hear two complaints every year ... too many mistakes and the book is way too heavy. The latter is partially due to the type of paper used.

Robin Harris
Editor, Unitrade catalogue

I for one, buy the latest edition every year.

I realize that the prices hardly change, but, I look more at the varieties etc., to see if any more have been added.

What is also good about the Unitrade catalogue is that reference material is also listed for the Canadian specialist, domestic rates etc., and, more back of the book items added every now and then too.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Thank you Robin for that clear explanation about grading and condition. I did not realize you had tweaked the VF F VG page, but heartily agree with that. I guess I really should read each new issue cover to cover.

As a part time ebay seller, I try to be one of those that describes stamps accurately. So far my feedback comments seem to indicate that I am getting that part right.

However, I will be even more precise now that I am aware of that change in the catalog.

Thanks for the clarification on grade Robin.

I will agree that many ebay listings are inaccurate when it comes to condition. However, in my limited experience this probably goes for buying from any and all dealers - buyer beware, and know thy grades.

What about Unitrade's decision to list mint in VF condition and used in F condition? Why the difference?

JR1960, as Robin mentions above the reason for listing used stamps as F has to do with cancellations.

To find used stamps (especially modern, but any era really) with nice cancellations is the exception, and would qualify that stamp as VF (assuming that centering is also VF).

In some cases, a nice cancellation can increase the value even if the stamp is not perfectly centered. I understand the Unitrade decision on this as I collect mainly used (early and modern).

VF used in the past has been wrongly used by many sellers (and still is unfortunately); and yes, this is even the case with some professional dealers.

Sorry I missed part of Robin's response on the first read through.

I do find that confusing though. So I can have two stamps with the same poor centering, and the mint version is graded F, but the used version is graded VF because it has a nice CDS cancel? That doesn't make sense to me.

JR1960: Let me explain my understanding of this.

A mint stamp that is F centered is not what I would call "poorly" centred. But I understand your point.

Remember that grading changes somewhat with the era. Here we are talking about modern stamps.

So we have a mint modern stamp that qualifies as Fine (F) due to centering.

We have the same stamp used in the same centering with a nice cancel. I believe it would still be considered Fine (but with a possible premium for the cancellation - this would be between buyer and seller - not something a normal catalog could define).

The same used tamp with nice centering (if you call this VF centering, then confusion sets in, so I shouldn't have done so in my previous post, sorry) but average cancel.
This is a Fine used stamp according to the Unitrade definition.
Yes, if it was mint, then it would be VF Mint.

The same stamp again centered well with a nice cancellation. Would be what Unitrade calls VF used.
It needs both nice centering and a nice cancel to be VF Used.

Robin, please correct me if I am wrong, but that is how I see it.

Ok I can make sense of that - VF centering but avg cancel = F grade, VF centering with nice CDS cancel = VF

So now let me quote from the 2013 Unitrade catalogue to elaborate on my confusion:

"USED, VF/XF (with in-period, circular date cancel) PRICING PREMIUM
Single stamps with light or circular date cancels will sell for more than catalogue value (perhaps even more than a mint copy)."

Does this apply only to used, VF/XF with in-period, circular date cancels? If so, then what is the catalogue value that these will sell more for? There is no CV for VF used. Does this mean to say that they will sell more than the Fine CV?

And what about VF centered with lovely, light CDS cancels that are partial, or out-of-period?

To which time period does this guideline apply?

"From 1981 to 1991 single stamps from se-tenant blocks of 4 or larger will be priced at 50% or more above the fine price. From 1992 to date single stamps from se-tenant blocks of 4 or larger plus se-tenant booklet panes and souvenir sheets will be priced at 100% or more above the fine price. From 1997 to date all other stamps will be priced at 50% or more above the fine price."

Unfortunately this doesn't say anything about a whole group of other stamps, such as stamps prior to 1981 or stamps from 1981 to 1997 that are not from se-tenant blocks of 4.

For instance what is the CV of these?

Hi Robin...Let me ask you a question that you probably have been asked a million times before...Pricing of stamps...Where do you and your colleges get information that is qualified enough to be put in the Unitrade catolog....Is it a average increase per year..??..From the internet like ebay (parish the thought).Or where else would you get this information..??..Thanks.