Expertising Stamps With Watermark

Not sure whether there is much point in getting used stamps with a watermark that are not worth a great deal expertised and having an ugly expertising mark left behind. This stamp comes with a large anchor watermark that is not that easy to forge. If this stamp were in mint condition, perhaps there is more reason to get an expert opinion as compared to one with a heavy cancellation like this one. Wonder what the owner paid to get this stamp expertised last time.

Hi pennyblackie,

It might be a previous owner's name.

Have you checked here:

https://www.filatelia.fi/experts/index.html

Paul Kruger? That name came up in the list.

Many dealers also used to put their mark on the back of a stamp perceived to be above "normal" worth. It was a common continental European habit during the early to.kiddie part of last century, also seen in a few other non-European countries. Unless you are dealing at the extreme end of the high value market, this practice has little or no impact on the stamp's value.

Be aware that some dealer or expert marks have been forged, whereas others (Stolow, for example) carry little worth because of their association with dubious philatelic practices.

pennyblackie,
Modern expertizing does not put marks on the back of stamp (at least not permanent ones). On a used stamp, pencil markings are generally "accepted", but most will prefer to take them off.
So expertizing a stamp doesn't mean "altering" it permanently. At least not in modern era.
BUT, many people to prevent (deter) theft put "owners marks" on their stamps, and sadly many of them opted for rubber-stamp type initial or name and often in colored inks (which over time also bleeds through to front). It was a terrible practice, and when I encounter collections (when I'm buying collections), that have all owners marks on the stamps, I tend to either shy away (i.e. pass), or reduce my offering by 20% - 30%, depending on the mark. I don't want them in my collection, and most of my clients don't want them in their collections either, while some are ambivalent about them. So I can sell them, but I always describe it, and I know it "narrows" my buying group. Probably reduces the amount I get for them as well.
Herman Hurst, Bill Weiss, a few others I encountered over the years, all marked in pencil so it could be removed later. Inks... BAD. I know there are lists of these both expertizer and owner marks. But none of the lists are exhaustive.

As far as I know, expertised stamps are still marked in the back by expertisers in continental Europe.

I can tolerate expertising marks at the back more than owner's marks which carry no value and may even diminish the value to some. Even the world's most valuable stamp is not spared of these ugly marks...

Might as well carve your initials in it...

Which gives us a fun philatelic riddle to ponder. In Germany, "postfrisch" stamps (literally, "post office fresh", mint never hinged) are considered the ultimate. Even most that collect cancelled-to-order used stamps insist that the gum on the back of their used stamps must be pristine and unsullied by those barbaric hinge marks. Yes, in Germany, even CTOs must have perfect gum.

It's also considered a must that any very valuable MNH stamp be submitted to an expert who will not only expertise the genuineness of the stamp, but also the gum, to ensure that it really, truly is "postfrisch".

And how does the expert certify that the precious gum is truly pristine and undisturbed? By stamping his mark on the back of the stamp, in ink, right on top of that all-important gum.

Stamp collecting is a funny hobby.