US Scott # 63, Franklin, Used, One Cent, Sound Copy!!! - Ebay

BID HERE:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/283067984200

• US Scott # 63
• Benjamin Franklin
• Used
• Printed by the National Bank Note Company
• Perforated 12
• Blue

I don't know if this stamp is yours or not, so please don't take offense to my observations.

This stamp appears to have a bent perforation at bottom center, some creased perforations and at least on very short, or pulled perforation, and possibly reperforated at top.

So my question is what are the criteria that satisfy the definition for a "sound" stamp?

@orstampman:

As you may be able to tell, I am fairly new to selling stamps. I will take your feedback into consideration as you make a good point about the subjectivity of the term "sound" stamp.

Do you recommend I take any corrective action?

~pascoe

Not trying to hijack the thread but "sound" to me means free of defects such as bent perf tips, pulled perfs, creases, thins, scuffs etc.. Reperf to me is not a defect. It is an alteration.

On a personal note, when I shop on ebay or elsewhere, the image is the first thing that I judge and consider.
If the vendor over sells, ie exclamation marks !!! or "Scarce", or "Rare", or "Super" etc & etc, more often than not, I'll move on.

On the other hand, if I see genuine remarks, "light hinge mark" "crease" "pulled perfs" "slight toning" then the vendor comes across and appears professional, I am more likely to remain and consider. (Price v condition)

Opinion:
Best to leave the exaggerated claims to the snake oil salesmen.

You may have difficulty changing the heading etc as you already have a bid. On the other hand, you're kicking off at 99 cents, with pictures of the front and back, so I shouldn't worry too much.

Pascoe - Thank you for taking my observations constructively, as that is how they were intended.

As for my personal definition of sound, I define "sound" as no observable defects (bent perforations, thins, creases, pulled perforations), and as mentioned by another, no alterations (reperforation, rebacking, design alterations, etc.).

One of the gray areas is perforation tip length. I allow short perforation tips on a "sound" stamp, but pulled perforation tips or perforation tips that do not extend beyond the perforation (hole) disqualify the stamp from being sound.

Others may have different standards and definitions for sound condition, but these are the ones I use for listing/selling stamps.

On this stamp (except for the possible reperforation), the noted defects are fairly minor, and can be observed by the posted images, so you are probably OK for this listing.

The one thing that is great about your listing is the high resolution scans of both sides of the stamp.

Great feedback everyone. I am definitely trying to avoid over selling the quality of the stamp. I've bought a few lots lately based on crappy photos only to receive a US Scott #37 and #38 that were trimmed inner designs affixed on top of another perforated stamp, what a Frankenstein!

So I will continue to make hi res scans and let them speak for themselves. Thank you for the education and constructive comments.

'Sound' is not a philatelic term - which means everyone will interpret it in their own way. Notice someone's definition disagreed with yours...

Better to stick with terminology for which everyone has a (relatively!) similar definition. These would include 'pulled perf' - 'short perf' - 'bent perf' ect ect.

But for a $.99 listing, you did great.

My only comment would be to have a much larger inventory/listings. If I only see 3 items, I won't think you're much of a seller. If I buy a $.99 item, I like to them go browse through the seller's store - to hopefully find things to add to the order, which would then justify the shipping cost.