Conditions Of Stamps In Collections And Storage

Unless you were an early facebook investor I expect you will find it difficult if not impossible to find MNH for early issues that you can afford, like 19th century stamps. I prefer to have spaces filled in my albums, versus empty because the MNH would be prohibitively expensive. And at that point you have to become expert on regummed stamps because that is absolutely a thing. My "How to Detect Damaged, Altered, and Repaired Stamps" has 15 pages on Gum. "The Buyer's Guide" for US stamps by Datz just says for many stamps "never hinged examples, if they exist, are exceedingly rare" or something similar.

Also, I feel like scoffing at how others want to collect is poor form. Collect whatever condition you enjoy and mount them however you like, even if some other collecors think it's "funny."

Most of my collections are mostly used stamps up to the 1930s or 40s which won't surprise anyone. That's what's available. For a lot of "classic era" stamps there are few, if any, mint never hinged stamps available. I make all my purchase decisions at the time of purchase. What's available? Which one looks best (from the front)? What seems like the best price for this stamp? Those are my criteria. After maybe the 1930s, I try to buy MNH if they don't cost much more, but "just" mint is also fine. For me, it's just a hobby, not an investment.

My approach is "whatever works best." I really don't care if a stamp has a hinge mark. I care about hinge damage, of course, but that's a different thing. If no mint stamp is available, like everyone else I buy a used one. Why would I not collect this way?

The basic premise of advocates of "MNH is best" as far as I can tell, is that resale value matters more than just about anything else. For me, it doesn't. I collect stamps for their beauty, design, historical value, not for their resale value. I'm not investing, I'm collecting. A hinge mark is of no concern to me.

There are more than a few odd approaches to collecting. With Germany, there's an approach to modern German stamps that I've never understood. Many German collectors (the ones in Germany, I mean) collect modern German stamps with the selvage attached. I've purchased a number of modern German collections and some pages are so filled with selvage, you can barely see the stamps. I do not collect selvage. Maybe selvage that is decorative or which explains the stamp it's attached to, I might leave attached -- if there's even room for it. Otherwise, someone else's odd collecting habit is not my habit.

As far as I can see, resale value is the entire basis for the MNH argument. There's always someone who asks you, as soon as they hear you collect stamps. "What's your collection worth?" It's kind of a stupid question, undignified, completely missing the point, like they're speaking a different language. I collect stamps for fun and joy and relaxation. Like I'm a kid again. When my collection is sold by my heirs -- or thrown away -- I don't care what it's value is. If you care, fine. But when you start talking about the resale value, you lose me. That's what the whole MNH arguments means to me.

I have been collecting stamps for about 6 years, so compared to a good deal members I am still a bit of a newbie but not an entirely young sprout!

From my experience the following holds true:

A) MNH does garner higher prices for US stamps after about 1940. The Scott catalog states this (not exactly 1940, for some types of stamps earlier) and the prices they publish don't bother with providing a price for post 1940 stamps. The price is very low for many common stamps from the late 1930's through most of the 1980's. On average about 25 cent, from what I see on a site such as stamporama where collectors are selling off extras MNH, averages about 10 cents (and for worldwide stamps after 1950 about the same price for very common stamps).

B) A used stamp in general can have greater value on a postal cover and, somtimes, FDCs. It depends on the historical impact the cover shows. One example, if you have a postal cover from June 5th 1967 of a piece of mail that somehow got to Haifi from Amman Jordan, that would have substantial value as a cover. If you soaked off the stamp you would lose much value. Now why? June 5th 1967 was the start of the Aix Day war when surrounding countries tried to invade Israel. Postal service was quickly suspended or mail returned. Another one may be a piece of mail sent to the Wall Street area of that arrived Sept 11th, 2001 with some damage. Thew damage if not too extensive would add value to the cover as well as the time and location.

C) I agree with some that say it can be a better buy to get a used stamp that is lightly cancelled with excellent centering and color than a MNH with poor centering and dull color. This can be a great way to acquire some classic stamps that in MH or MNH woul be far more expensive.

D) As for storage, a high-quality stamp album is great and affords much flexibility in the size of stamps you may store. However, if you want to save money I find that an office supply store such as Staples offers archival quality binder or at least non-PVC ones which you can insert stamp stocksheet. Note that comic book storage sleeves are much cheaper and made of the same stuff, the only drawback is they may not have the range of storage options as stamp companies offer.

Also, wherever you store them avoid the attic and basement. If the basement is the only option, a thick steel reinforced safe bolted in the floor would be the only way to keep moisture out - that was how my father stored his coins and it worked very well despite the safe being only 6 feet away from the house furnace and ina below ground basement. I find for those who live in very humid areas or have seasons of high humidity that it is best to get a dessicant bar to reduce moisture and have your stamp albums store a bit above ground.

Places to avoid storing stamps --- generic plastic storage boxes on the floor or under the bed, never store any collectible in the kitchen, and only display the lower valued items in a trafficked place.