How Does The Scott Catalogue Define A "Set"?

Hi there,

I am in the midst of working on my Japan album, and I just mounted MNH Scott #315 through 318. I am a little confused regarding the "set" value of these stamps.

I own all four stamps individually. They are not connected to each other. The individual values are as follows:

#315 - $1.00
#316 - $2.00
#317 - $6.00
#318 - $8.00

But then it says, "Set, never Hinged" - $45.00

While I realize that market value of most stamps is a fraction of the Scott CV, I am wondering what the "set" value means here. Does "set" imply that the stamps are physically connected at the perforations? Or does it mean that if you were to sell all 4 together then the sum is greater than its parts?

My thinking is that it is the latter, since there is a souvenir sheet of 4 that is valued at $80 hinged.

Thank you. And, for those interested in the stamps, I've included a picture!

that's the set.
If all four are never hinged, the catalog value for the four would be $45.00
The catalog values for the set of four stamps, previously hinged, would be $17.00, with the breakdown in values as you list.

If different designs are connected, that is known as "se-tenant" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Se-ten...philately%29

Ah, I see my error. I did not realize that these stamps were listed in the "Prices are for Mint Hinged" area. I thought it was past the "All prices are for Mint Never Hinged" label. These are indeed MNH, so I own the set. That makes me a happy collector!

Thank you very much for the clarification! I was also going to ask what se-tenant meant, since I was reading through the beginning of the catalogue where they define all of the terms. You pre-empted my question. :)

On a related note, look at Tête-bêche...2 identical stamps, connected, but 1 upside down from the other...French for "Head to tail"