Beginner's Question Re: Scott's 789

Hi All,
I am organizing my US commemoratives in my stockbook. I have a couple of blocks of 4 of very low value stamps. Actually, all my stamps are such! Anyway, would you guys pick the best of the 4, in this case, Sc. 789, and break it from the others to display? Or maybe fold the 3 worst behind the best?

Folding a pair or block of four stamps behind another in a stockbook or mount seems like asking for problems and compromises the whole group. At the very least, the perfs are severely creased by folding, and then if there is a humidity problem down the line ... things start to stick together.... I just wouldn't go there myself.

I'm generally reluctant to break up any block, but for something like this which is low financial value and low-to-no philatelic value, would likely take the best individual and remove carefully from the block. But I would want to be confident that there is no philatelic value for the individual case.

I'd break up blocks of modern stamps without compunction. I recently acquired a large lot including a number of US stamps in blocks or with stamp-edging that had been folded as you describe and were now thoroughly gummed together or had the edging stuck to the back of the stamp.

Thanks Jleb & Geoff,
I think I'll break them up. The block is actually used, with a light nicely centered cancel. Also, Jleb, I didn't like the thickness throwing off the entire strip, as you suggested.

That changes the question entirely. I think we had all assumed you had a mint block. The cancel aspect adds a new facet to whether the multiple should be broken or not. Please post an image of it. Thanks.

Sorry about that. I understand that should have been made clear. Here it is:

Already folded, poor cancel, blind and rough perfs = break at will

Thanks, Rog. I assume the same can be said of this 774 block. I'm guilty of the fold in this one. It looks and feels used, but no postmark.



I'm thinking bottom left is the pick of the litter, you?

I have yet to work on my US collection but I don't think I've ever seen a large cancel with nothing in it. I believe that is called a mute cancel. Can anyone shed some light on that cancel like: was this type of cancel seen often and who would have used it?

Mirman, I have another one on 2 attached Yellowstone stamps. I'll post tomorrow.