What Does The Description "Sound" Mean?

What is the currently accepted meaning when using the word "sound" to describe stamps in an auction lot? What should you expect when buying a stamp described as "sound"?

I did a search but couldn't find this mentioned.

Thank you for your opinions.

In good condition, no flaws.

No thins, tears, creases or pulled perfs.

No faults.

It shouldn't be damaged, but may have drawbacks - it could be poorly centred, have a messy cancellation etc.

I, actually, have only encountered 'sound' in descriptions of used stamps that had quite heavy cancels. Usually the stuff you buy at a steep discount to fine used stamps.

Morning all,

What is or is not in "sound" condition is a matter of opinion usually given by the seller to an item that will not pass as a higher, more consistantly defined grade. Personally, I want to physicaly hold and evaluate sound items for myself.

No one definition, depends on seller/buyer. Generally no rips/tears.

Thank you for your interesting responses.

The group consensus seems to mirror the Oxford English Dictionary definition of " in good condition; not damaged, injured, or diseased." Fortunately, LOL, I don't think we have to worry too much a stamp being diseased!

I also detect a feeling that the term applies more to the physical integrity of the paper and less so to the applied inks - ie centering, cancels etc.

Isn't it interesting how many subtly different ways a simple adjective can be interpreted?

Possibly, isn't Foxing a form of mold?

Actually, some stamps do become diseased!

Disinfected mail is another fun aspect of stamp collecting.

Foxing...another confusing and often misunderstood term.

Foxing can be one of a number of things including biological source like molds or fungus and/or chemical sources such as metallic reactions elements in the inks or papers.

Don

Ewwwwww gross! Yuck! LoL! Yet - Diseased stamps would make an interesting new thread. But that's up to the moderators, eh?

FYI Found this interesting read on the NIH (National Institute of Health) website. Has anyone ever seen a cover with those holes from that weird paddle device?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar.../PMC3320382/

NONE of that matters or means anything IF the auction firm or dealer defines the word as they use it.

You wasted your time asking the question here when the responses do not matter. You need to direct that question to the person or firm using it.

Edit: Just for fun I checked Siegel's Auction No. 1293 which starts tomorrow. It uses the term "sound" 12 times in the descriptions but does not define the word.


As such I will point out that all the opinions offered up in this thread for "sound" are in fact mere third party opinions, including that of the OED. To be more technical, "sound," as with many other philatelic terms, is a term of art.

Ever buy a collection that was from an ex-smoker. That stuff should be classified as hazardous waste. (not sound)

* And I doubt that will ever come up in the description.