I collect Ireland and the used version of this set is still on my wants list. I dont think condition of used stamps (especially those that are pretty expensive in excellent condition is important. My philosophy is that used stamps should be ...used. And therefore if the stamps are available and discounted because of condition, it is well worth having. People who only collect "used" stamps may not agree with me.
Looks like a tear that someone has tried to repair. Also appears to be a short tear in the middle on top and a crease in the upper left corner. Would be a "space filler" stamp for me.
The danger of placing damaged high price stamps in your collection is when it comes time to price it or value your collection. Once a professional notice a few of them then he doesn't take time to find which one are damaged at that point the whole collection gets discounted . I was asked to place a bid or make a offer on a huge U.S. collection a few years back and notice most of the high values were seconds ,at that point I just told the family I had no interest in going any further and closed the albums and pulled away from the table to collect my things and just told the family it wasn't material I care to deal with .
Fitz I like your philosophy! A used stamp went thru the mail to be sorted and delivered. And also maybe the collector that soaked it first damage it. Every used stamp have a story! There are used stamps VF condition with nice cancels. It such a great area to study, postal history. I think my stamp can grade average to fine because it has a great centring and nice bright color but then it's in the eye of the collector. I have to consider also how much I paid. For a better condition dealers they don't make gifts. Daniel
Steve With the picture I had I just couldn't see the faults. I took a chance. Far from the end of the world. Years ago I bid on a Iceland collection. Pics were bad and to my surprise it turn out to be a great acquisition. There was only 2 bidders. Daniel
Floortrader I think you know a lot about America's stamp market. Buy and sell. When I sell a collection dealer look for faults and that's also how I learn watching and hearing them. It's very valuable to me. About this stamp here it will be spot quickly has deter the value of the collection. You are a 100% right. Only one or 2 of this condition. If I bring the point that it when thru the mail I will be answer it's not that my costumers want. There could be a difference between the American and European stamp market but that's like philosophy. Daniel
Timbres667, Thank you. For me its an easy decision. I collect mintt and used Ireland...one page per issue. So mint and used stamps are side by side on the same page. A lot of so-called used Irish stamps are actually stamps that have been soaked off FIrst Day Covers. Yes, they are neat cancellations but are they actually "used" in the truest sense of the word. I would rather have a machine cancellation. I have a few used sets like that...and someday I must replace them with truly used stamps. It shows the true value of a First Day cover when dealers take stamps off covers just to have "very fine used" stamps. Yes I have a lot of FDCs and I will have more. But there is something phoney about them and often "very fine used" stamps.
Fitz Thanks for the input! I will raise my glass of Kilkenny thinking of Irish people this afternoon. Think they sell it at the convenient store nearby. Daniel
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Posted 04/04/2017 06:23 am
