Genuine Vs. Trimmed First Issue Revenue Stamps

An example of what to look for, along with the margins of course.

Jim

This is a trimmed stamp. Note the deep, rich ink color.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Revenue...AOSw~HBaHxA8



This is a genuine imperf., despite the (lack of) margins. Note the pale ink color and early cancel date.



Edit: replaced picture

Jim, what gets me about these listings that they ask 2000 dollars and don't give free shipping!

Peter

Jim, I'm going to disagree just a bit. While the second stamp is indeed an early printing, it could just as easily be a trimmed part perf as an imperf. I actually don't like the sides on this one.

Peter, why does it matter? Since the seller has Best Offer listed, I'd be willing to bet that if you offered $1998 it would be accepted.

Not that I would ever recommend buying that particular item.

A small rant:

I do not understand why buyers get hung up on shipping costs. It's only the total item + shipping that matters when comparison shipping... especially since ebay sellers have to refund original shipping costs on returns, and ebay fees are assessed on both item and shipping, the differentiation between free shipping and not free shipping is utterly meaningless.

Scenario: I am considering 3 equivalent items:

1. $100 + $10 shipping
2. $70 + $40 shipping
3. $110 + FREE shipping

Which one is the cheapest to purchase?

Answer: THEY ARE ALL THE SAME!

I don't know if it's an OCD thing or a misconception on refundability, or what, but it drives me absolutely bonkers when I see people splitting hairs on shipping costs when it doesn't matter one whit!

It's only the ending net total that matters.

AUGH!

*whew* I feel better know, thanks.

Seriously though, if we're talking a retail store where shipping costs are not refunded on returns, then that is a different matter entirely.

Understood, and I don't disagree, however I took the image from Eric Jackson's site, and I am assuming that he identified it accurately.

Jim

I believe that Peter's point is that if you, as a buyer, can cough up two grand for a stamp, the very least that the seller should be able to do is offer free shipping.

On a three dollar sale, no, of course not.

But even with Priority International Insured Five Second Shipping (or whatever it's called these days), the cost is nothing compared to the thousands of the sale price.

It's like getting free ketchup when you get a hamburger meal.

I could be wrong though...

Jim

Jim,
I tend to agree with Dan. If it was offered by anyone else I would probably take a pass.
Though the Samuel Hart & Co. Cancel is well known on the imperf's of that issue.
I would think that Eric looked at the fact that the cancel is well known on the issue + the date + color + paper and came to the conclusion that it authentic. Maybe he will chime in with what his thought process was on this one.

Plausible... the only problem is that the Hart cancels were also used on the part perfs as well. It's unfortunately not an exclusionary factor:

The way I've always looked at it was that price + shipping + commission = Real Price. Whether we're talking about the shipping costs for an ebay item or the 20% buyer's premium for something at an auction, the net paid is still what you paid for the item.

Exactly. It's the same thing with buyer's premium at an auction house. Whether the house charges 15%, 18%, 20%, 23%, etc., you factor it into your max bid, i.e., start with what you're willing to pay when all is said and done, and then back out the BP to come up with your maximum bid.

While the first stamp does appear trimmed, I have seen genuine imperfs in that deeper shade. They are certainly less common, but they do exist.

Same seller, different items.

Personally, I'm starting to detect a pattern here...

Jim

https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Revenue...AOSwz~paHuHA



https://www.ebay.com/itm/MrStamps-U...AOSwFb5aHuYT

There were others as well.

True, but there are beverages and food to be consumed now...

Jim

A bit late for those on a weeknight.

I'm west coast. The party is just getting started.



Jim

"Jim Drummond: Have lamp shade, will travel."