"Straight Edge" (Trimmed Perfs) On Scott 120

Yes and by far more than 50%.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts on this question and on related issues for this series.
They have been helpful.

The seller did not want me to remove the stamp from the hinge and page to look at the back. I can understand his point of view. But it will mean a lower offer, as there could be thins, etc.

If I end up purchasing this collection, I'll revisit this thread with better photos of the front and back.

I can't at all. The stamp has perfs cut off and at least one not insubstantial tear and is faded. What is the downside for the seller to let you examine the back? The whole thing is so wrong.

I would walk away.

The seller is concerned about the risk of damaging a stamp by removing the hinge.
He doesn't know about the low value due to the other faults.
I suppose the low value also limits the benefits of looking at the back.

The fading might not be represented well by my photo,
which was hand held and rapidly shot with the flash.

There are many other stamps in this collection that I like,
so I am mainly trying to avoid overvaluing this one in the total offer.
It is one of the higher catalog value stamps (*if* it had been sound, of course).
There is also a Scott 72 that I didn't notice until after I got home and saw it in my page photo.
So I don't have a good photo of that one at present.
It does not have a "straight edge", fortunately.

I will say this and move on. The seller being concerned about damaging a damaged stamp by removing the hinge makes zero sense. Is the hinge going to stay on the stamp forever? It is going to be removed. What type of hinge though is key to making a purchase decision. If it is one of the nuclear glue type hinges that essentially cannot be removed without destroying the stamp than isn't that something to consider? If the hinge were an old Dennison hinge it would pop right off and you could look at and dip the stamp. What about the other stamps in the album? Can those hinges be removed?

Hinges that are tough to remove are a huge deduct when pricing a collection. That is my ultimate point here.

It is your choice. I am not trying to be negative. I am trying to be helpful having experienced all types of scenarios through the years.

If you purchase the collection, I hope that you enjoy it.

Cheers

Roger

Thanks, Roger.

I did not feel your posts were negative. Sorry if my replies might have implied that.

It looks like a Dennison hinge,
and there was a mostly full package of Dennison hinges in another box.
I told the seller that these were considered valuable these days, and he suggested I pay $25 for the package of hinges!
I recall I have seen them sell for $10-20 on ebay.

I have seen stamps and albums in other collections wrecked by staining from Crystal Mounts; fortunately not in this one.
It looks like the collection was put into storage in about 1965, as those were the latest stamps.

Ultimately, not being able to look at the backs gives me an excuse to offer less, I suppose.

I should have mentioned that I don't mind stamps with faults in my collection.
It makes the rarer issues more affordable.
I realize they will be difficult to sell.
Most of the higher catalog value stamps in my collection (like my #119) have
faults that were disclosed when I bought them at a discount.

I realize that many collectors here would not want to see a stamp like this in
their collection. That is completely understandable.

- Clint

Don't just "walk away". RUN!!!!!!!!

If this was the only stamp in the collection, and I valued at $0 like you do, and it was priced above $0, of course I would run.
If it makes your eyes hurt to see this thing, another good reason to run.
Different strokes for different folks.

But given that I am making my own offer, and it has some positive value to me, and there are many other stamps in the lot, I'd rather not run.

Agreed. RUN.

Unless I missed something in this thread, I don't think you mentioned how much the dealer wants for it, or how much you're willing to spend. If it's anything close to $100, read on...

Just went window shopping on HipStamp and ebay to see what's currently available.

Stamp-wise, pickins are currently slim on both sites for an inexpensive copy with an unobtrusive cancel.

Proof-wise, there's a P3 (proof on India paper) listed by the same dealer on both sites as "Proof on India, Beauty." Avoid that one at all costs because that adjective absolutely does not apply. Here's a link:

https://www.hipstamp.com/listing/ma...687/47669937

Now Compare to this one on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/195746010002

Which one would you rather have: the stamp you're considering purchasing, or the proof linked to above?

The first proof above clearly has something going on at the top margin.

Exactly. Some kind of thin or soiling, maybe extraneous black ink—though that's doubtful. What it has going for it is the vignette centering and more intense color (+/- the usual caveat on scan/screen colors). But that black mark at the top just doesn't cut it for a proof.

It's not like these things don't come around in better shape (both the stamps and the proofs, including proofs on card 120P4).

> I don't think you mentioned how much the dealer wants for it,
It's not being sold by a dealer.
It's an inherited collection being sold by the heir.
Sorry I left those details out.

> or how much you're willing to spend. If it's anything close to $100, read on...
I've never spent $100+ on a stamp.
I might break that rule for a White Plains sheet.

> Which one would you rather have: the stamp you're considering purchasing, or the proof linked to above?
I'd rather have this stamp for $25.
I have no interest in a proof, especially for $133.
Thank you for pointing out the option, though.

You're welcome!

The add'l details you provided make all the difference in the world. Now it makes sense why the seller thinks that removing a hinged stamp is going to damage it — because you're not dealing with a dealer! I think the assumption was that you were.

Hey, for $25? Don't give it a second thought. Buy it and be happy.