Scott International Album - Buyer's Remorse?

I bought this today, a 1955 Scott International:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scott-Inte....m2749.l2649

It looks good, binder is in great shape, pages look OK. I've been looking for a good Part One for some time. Here's what gives me pause, the seller looks not to be someone with a lot of experience dealing in stamp related stuff. I now wonder how complete this album is. This is a case where I saw it as a something I'd been looking for awhile and bit. also wondering if it's going to smell of cigarettes or moldy basement.

I ought to have sent the seller a question on this stuff. Anyone else go through this range of emotion when you make fairly large purchase?

Not sure what your regret is. Looks to be in good shape and relative bargain.

Regret is probably the wrong word. I've reread the item description and it does indicate a complete set. There's always an interval when you're awaiting arrival and you imagine all the things that could possibly be wrong. Buying a used album can be a bit of a crap shoot when every page isn't shown by the seller.

I seem to recall a post on one of the discussion boards re the Internationals in which someone recommended finding a 1955 edition if one is looking for a used copy.

He did say pre-owned, but crisp and clean pages. That should be smoke and mildew free. But he does say appears complete. Otherwise looks good.

Wow. This is not buyer's remorse. This mistrust about the seller and product is uncalled for in my opinion. I can easily see you returning the album based on any excuse.

This seller has gone into detail to properly describe the album. You always had the ability to ask more questions and failed to do so. There are plenty of existing discussions on SCF about the album to reference, to ask your questions of content/coverage of issues.

You should restrict yourself to buying things in person only and be fully prepared beforehand.

Stamps1962 - No worries my friend. It looks very nice and in no time you will be happy you purchased it.

Hy-brasil. I also sell on ebay; I do not return things based on 'any excuse'. I've been burned maybe a dozen times in twenty years on ebay purchases, the majority of those were purchases of albums and/or pages.

1962 to my eyes it looks very crisp, clean, and very gently used. Please report back on how you feel once received and inspected.

It looks to be in great shape actually, without the toning of the pages I've seen in some older IPSA editions.

You just want us to make you feel better!

It looks perfectly good to me, better than most of the classic era albums I've seen.

"Clean crisp pages, no bends or stains. The Binder is in excellent original condition with little to no shelf wear. No repairs have been made. The 2 Post system is completely in tact and fully operational. ONLY first 2 pages are unattached at bottom. US plus A-Z pages are present. Album appears complete including cover page and index. No hinge remnants. All pages are crisp and clean and, other than those with stamps, appear to have never been used."

I'm not sure what you're concerned about?

When I first started building my Scott International albums, I made the mistake of buying a few used albums thinking I was being thrifty and clever. But they nearly always had ripped holes, thin pages (the older style of pages), or were moldy, etc. I soon switched to buying only new pages. That's what you're worried about. But I also found a few album 'parts' that were virtually brand new, never used. Nothing wrong with those pages.

In fact, just the other day I threw away an entire Vol II set of pages for a Scott International brand new and never used. The pages were clean and crisp and new looking. Why do such an awful thing? It had been packed with the bubble wrap inside the cover and stored flat (apparently) and that had impressed the 'bubbles' into the paper deeply enough that the pages were now wavy until about halfway through the entire album. It looked good, but in actual use it would have been unpleasant -- and I didn't think I should sell it to another collector that way. Also I'd bought it for next to nothing for the binder (smaller than the current International binders). So into the dumpster it went.

I'm sure the album you bought will be fine. But if it smells of smoke or mildew (all too common I've found),or if it has some other serious problem, just return it. I return items if they're damaged in some way. Never had a problem. Well there was that one guy . . . . :)

A new set of pages is $600 plus 2 or more binders.

If I could have found a decent album I would be using all the old pages as well. I bought the new set as others have done with all new binders but is it any better than your album, I don't think so because the new set has removed many things, especially back of book pages.

I would use interleaving for all the pages to keep from damaging stamps, so you may need another binder.

The copyright on these pages is 1955. I'm wondering if it provides for stamps not included in newer printings. Of course I'll know next week after it arrives.

The 1840-1940 website offers a pdf download for a checklist for the part one Internationals. I assume that is based on the recent editions. Anybody know?

Update, I now have it; it is one of the best buys I have ever made on ebay. Exactly as described, pages are clean, no markings no mold. Only possible issue is a slight hint of cigarette odor but as an ex smoker I can live with it. The stamps included are nice; the US section is all there and there's a short set of Columbians.

I'd like eventually to expand to volume five or so, up to the 60's. I think it gets difficult as you progress through subsequent volumes to find decent used sets. Ought to be fun trying however.

Update, there is what appears to be a decent 1847 US #1 in the US section!! My first thought was that it was a facsimile or cutout to fill the space, but it looks good as gold. Incredible.

Sounds great Stamps1962!

These are my notes on the 1955 edition: still using 1943 Scott catalog, US still has 5c 1847 as Scott #28 and no 10c 1847; still has spaces for US revenues. 1955 is first copyright date listed on title page (i.e, no 1947). The 1955 edition was available bound as well as looseleaf. Still has spaces for flags and coats of arms. However, there are a number of differences in coverage between it and the 1943/47 edition.

My memory (please correct if any of this is wrong) is that there were some additions to the 1955 version as well as deletions from the "canonical" 1943/47 edition. All in all, better in coverage than many of the later copyrights.

Stamps,

It looks like you fell into this one. You must be, no doubt, very happy. Especially with that #1!

Jack Kelley