Israel

Quick question - Israel, tabs or no tabs. What to collect and why?

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Hi Terry. You can collect them any way you want! People that collect them with tabs do so because they are interesting. They are also worth more, even though that would take a back seat to just enjoying the stamps by themselves!

Peter

I collect both. If you want a complete collection then un tabbed is the way to go. Too many early tabs are expensive.

I haphazardly collect Israel GPUOP (Genuinely Postally Used, On Piece).

If you eschew completionism, you only have to keep the ones you like.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

The majority of collectors of Israel collect tabs. That being said, you can complete a singles collection much easier, and at much lower cost. For example, 7-9 with tabs sells for several thousand dollars. You can pick up a set of singles for around $100. That would be the highest priced set, unless you extend to tete-beche, where 10-14 vertical gutters would be more. Although, ironically, the 10-14 vertical gutters with tabs sell for less than 7-9 with tabs, the singles sell for significantly higher than 7-9 singles (around $400).

Yes very ironic to pay that much for non 19th century stamps

For some early tabs, there are full tabs (large tab with small margin perforated in between) and part tabs (large tab only without small margin perforated in between). Of course, full tabs cost more. Also, there are bent/folded tabs too which are tabs that have been weakened in their connection to the stamps. They should cost less than intact unbent/unfolded tabs. Also, there are blank tabs on the first postage dues which increase their value. These are just some tab intricacies that someone taught me some time ago.