Stamp Condition Considerations.

I collect for "eye value", as I put it. The back of the stamps are not seen, so I don't worry about that. Even the perfs I will let go a little if the vignette is clean. I look for stamps that are very lightly cancelled, or not cancelled at all.

I have an issue with sellers that sell a stamp calling it "Mint No Gum" and charging a higher price than the used stamp prices. I can see a used premium for the face value of the stamp, but not a discounted mint price for the gum being gone.


-IBFS