Quote:
At one time, early in the hobby back in the 19th century, the condition of stamps was not considered very important. Rips, tears, scuffs, missing perfs were not such a big deal. Just having that stamp in any condition was the important thing
Yeah, I've taken apart collections like that: put together in the 1880s and 1890s, all stuck down with horse mucilage or something equally unpleasant, and while they might have some great earlies, occasionally even in good shape, at least half of the stamps are in such poor condition their only possible use is as reference material. (It can be useful reference material, though.)
Of course, that is only partly because 19th century collectors were less condition-conscious than modern collectors. It's also because most of the
really nice collections from back then were taken apart decades and decades ago; the ones still around to take apart today tend to be a lower grade. Once in a great while a decent 19th century collection turns up from a non-philatelic source (I found one in an antique bookstore once); most that are still intact out there are just somebody's messy project that they never got the gumption to attempt.
Posted 09/05/2020 12:44 pm
