Scott #630 - Characteristics?

You may have seen my last post on buying a Scott #630. So it came today and I'm a little perplexed.

The sheet is very brownish, sandy color, definitely not white - Looks like it was washed in tea or something. I know these are almost 100 years old but what is the correct color? I paid $175, should I send it back and just get another?

There is also a small tear at the top right which was not disclosed. You can see it clearly on my scan on the "to 23rd" row.

Thoughts?

For me the color of the paper is OK but the tear definitely detracts. I would expect to pay around $100 give or take since it has a tear. The one in my collection has very fine centering, strong perfs and no problems and I paid $140 plus $28 commission at a Harmer auction. Let us see what others think.

rogdcam mentioned the tear in his post yesterday when you posted this image (lower right)...


Were the images you posted yesterday from the seller?
Don

Yes, the pictures I posted were from the Seller. I mentioned the "possible" tear in my post. But until you have the actual stamp in front of you, its hard to say there's a tear. The Seller said that it was in "Mint" condition so I gave him the benefit of the doubt since he had the stamp in front of him!!! In addition to the tear, I also noticed that there is a hinge mark (is called a thin?) on the top section that says "NAL PHILATE". In my scan it looks like a slight discoloration. When I looked at it from the back, you can see where a hinge was removed and in removing, took a bit of the paper with it.

Man, I'm really disappointed. Let's see what Seller wants to do. I don't need one that's perfect, but with his description as "Mint, Never Hinged Beauty" leaves a little to be desired.

No doubt that one needs to go back...

If you are not happy with it, I would say you should return it. Some people are fine with the damage you see - it allows them to fill a space and save a little $$$. If you haven't saved any money, though, and you are aiming for sound stamps in your collection, this will probably weigh on your mind every time you see it. Decent examples are out there. This is not a rare issue. Due to its size and format (it is a sheet, not an individual stamp), it is certainly prone to damage.

Whatever you do, enjoy the hobby!

I think that is great advice. I got my collection from my dad. It has stamps that are mint to stamps that are junk but for me it has been fun collecting and filling up a space. Its fun for me because its a journey that was started by my dad and then left for me to keep moving it forward. Some day, my son will have it and know that he can choose to do with it what he wants.

I question the value of stamp collecting as an "investment". My son doesn't even know what a stamp is or what its used for (well, he probably does but you get the point). My dad loved stamps. He sold off most of his collection in the late 1950's to buy my mom her engagement ring. My dad was moderately successful and bought a European dealer's US stock books but he never got around to organizing what he bought. I've taken up the task because it keep me close to him and I know that he would be happy with what I've done. But the question still rings in my mind....once the guru's that comment with such sage wisdom here are gone, will the hobby, will the value drop out because son's and daughters would rather sell off a collection for the money or will they take up the torch and make it better? Once I found this forum I've enjoyed my collecting and collection even more. For those of you older guru's, just know that your thoughts and comments have resonated with me and educated me. And for that, I say Thank You!!! I think one of the guru's once said to a poster.... Tell a man what stamp he has, help him for a minute. Teach a man to use Stampsmarter, a perf gauge, do a little research, and work to ID himself, make a man a life long stamp guy!! I like to consider myself a Stamp Guy!!! Hahaahaa, Sorry I stayed on that soapbox too long!!

At least it wasn't this one:

The tear was a significant fault.
But frankly my reason for return would be that the seller's images represented the sheet looking whiter and brighter** than it actually was; your images make it appears as being 'toned'. So when requesting a return I would not even mention the tear, it was in the original images.
Don

**Note: it is easy to manipulate the temperature levels in an image to make paper look whiter and brighter.