How To Pick One From Duplicates

Newbie here. Just collect worldwide stamps, and constantly come across this dilemma of picking the best stamp from duplicates.

The image below is one example where Stamp A on left has darker cancel, but on bottom left away from main image.

Stamp B on right has lighter cancel, but across the center of image.

So which is better? Assuming perf and back of the stamp are all similar.

I don't have room to store all duplicates. Any help / guidance on this topic is much appreciated.

I'd keep the first, which doesn't interfere with the image. An exception would be if the cancellation were an attractive, central one, or if it were a stamp where a cancellation showing in-period use was important.

Which has the better eye appeal? The right one is not bad, except for the ink smudge along the right hand side. If my choice, the left one, until a better one came along to improve the centering.

Robert

To me it's not close, the left stamp has much better eye appeal.

I would question if the LH stamp was a (cancel to order) CTO. If that is common with this series, I would prefer a stamp postally used instead of contrived.

In the end it's a matter of personal preference, and of what visual qualities of a used stamp appeal to you the most. Do you want to see as much of the cancel as possible or as much of the stamp image as possible? People go both ways (hence "face-free" cancels and "socked-on-the-nose" cancels are both considered desirable). The CTO vs. postally used question raised by kcaramat is also pertinent. Also the color of the cancel. Etc.

This is a perennial question, and one that applies to mint stamps too of course. What characteristics appeal to you the most? Clean cancels, centring, large margins, gum condition, position of cancel, etc. In the end, all comes to what weight you put on those individual factors.

And my 2 cents - if I had both, would definitely choose the one on the left.

I would keep both in my collection. If one looks closely, assuming the scan is accurate, the stamp on the right is a obvious lighter shade (compare her hair).

Using that thoughtline, which I use all the time, these are different stamps and one is not a duplicate of the other.

It's a matter of personal preference. In Germany, I believe the ideal (aside from socked-on-the-nose) is a CDS in the lower left corner. Doubtful that this one is CTO as those from this time typically have first day cancels and Bonn was the official first day city for this stamp. CTOs are sold at face anyway, not at deep discount. I prefer the left one.