Anyone Else Collect Graded Non-Us Classics?

As I do.

Mind you, when I say 'graded' I am having to apply my own judgement as what constitutes a highly graded stamp, particularly where centering is concerned.

I find it odd that US classics can command such premiums for highly graded stamps (think PSE Superb 98's etc) yet stamps from other countries can be purchased in similar grades but without having to pay the premium on top of regular cat value.

Until the world catches up, I buy non US classics of a high grade standard. Many stamps, even though the cat value is low, can be extremely difficult to find with excellent centering...but can be bought without having to pay a premium. Simply impossible with US stamps.

Maybe these sorts of quality thresholds will never catch on for other countries like they have for the US classics. But in the meanwhile, I'm going for it!

Actually, there is a premium - eg Yvert refers to "tres bon centrage". But no-one else, I think, is running around giving stamps marks out 100. Depends also on what you mean by "classcs". Most pre-1900 stamps - which would, I suppose be the later limit for a "classic" - aren't actually all that rare.

I'm not so sure Geoff.

The Yvert 'premium' is stated in the catalogue in a similar way that both SG and Scott will state 'add 25%' etc for certain sets of certain countries. In reality, though, those premiums are rarely applied to the extent that happens with US stamps. And for most countries, there is no premium at all.

You're correct in that many classics are not rare. What is often rare though is the ability to collect a perfectly centered set. There are numerous < $100 incomplete sets in my collection where I'm still waiting for well centered values to appear.

Cultures differ, so an obsessive interest in one country gets a yawn in another.

Shall we talk about women only being permitted to leave the house in the company of a male relative?

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

That's only in upstate New York, isn't it?

There are many collectors outside of the US who consider centering only of importance if the stamp is 100% perfect. A tiny nick (pun intended) or a short perf. would be consider that the stamp is damaged and no matter how well centered it is to be not worthy to be in their collection,

Pagoda

Interesting, Pagoda. I know that I would, all other things being equal, value centering over perf dings.

They should change the "in God we trust" for "in PSE we believe" Even Scott make the center pages of their catalogue to send more customers to PSE .... Do we need to pay PSE to tell us if a stamp is well centred ?

On occasion when I want a top quality well centered GB or Commonwealth item, I buy from Gibbons, and the premium paid there is basically equivalent to the PSE tax for a U.S. graded item, so I would say yes, I collect foreign graded equivalent items.

I purchase all my Canadian well centred I don't compare them to PSE grading. I really dislike the PSE way, actually that's make me sell my coins collections , to much grades and the encapsuled coins. For stamp it's even more ( I will not say the word ) but let say a stamp look way better mount on a page than in a plastic box. Actually if it was more practical than a mount a paper stamp on a paper page hold with a hinge is the best . Plastic or mounts have reflexion. But I mounts my stamps.

Catalogue price. Grading. I wonder how many persons really like stamps ?

I think it is a common practice of all worldwide collectors to upgrade their collection. Over the years as you purchase other collections or lots you match it to your own collection to fill in blank spaces and added to your main collection . In the course of doing this ,you remove damaged ,heavy canceled ,wash out color/faded ,poor centered stamps from your collection and replace it with the better copy. So in a way ,yes I do go for the premium looking stamp for my collection .

You let the Conditionistas drive you out of coin collecting? That's sad.

I would think any serious collector tries to acquire premium material.