Hinge (H) Vs Non-Hinge (Nh)

I understand that we all have different collecting habits and norms, but the difference gets to me at times. Recently I came across the following two stamps, both essentially being added to ebay at the same time by the same dealer. The NH stamp has attracted more bidding attention. Why? Do hinge marks make that big a difference? If I were to have one or the other in my album, I definitely would take the H stamp because it is much more pleasing to the eye with respect to centering and color. In choosing the NH stamp, is perfection of the blind side the top priority? I can't see it.

I've always considered that the premium placed on NH stamps in philately is consistent with a more general sentiment among collectors of things that were not deliberately created as collectibles, that is, the closer the item is to its original state the more desirable it is. This applies to stamps ("post-office fresh"), coins (uncirculated), toys (Barbie in her original box unopened), antique furniture (unrestored), classic cars (original equipment), etc.

As I always tell people, I collect stamps, not gum! (Actually, I only collect used stamps, so that fortunately renders gum and hinges a non-existent problem.)

I care about NH only insofar as others seem to care an awful lot about it. For instance, just picked up a massive hoard of mint France from the 30s through the 50s, and anything after the 'hinged cutoff' in the Scott catalogue has little value if hinged, but if never hinged has more value (although the market for France in generally is pretty weak).

I'm sorting the MNH material for sale, and tossing the 1950s MH material in the kiloware bin.

I'm uninterested in unmounted mint stamps, and won't pay a premium for them. If I have an unmounted and a mint to choose from, and the latter isn't thinned etc, I'll pick whichever looks better.

For older stamps (1950s and prior) it can be about having something that is relatively rare compared to its hinged counterparts. Remember that back in the beginning of collecting and long thereafter stamps were hinged into albums, sometimes brutally. How you collect is budget driven anyway. If you had a spare 50 million you may as well pursue MNH AND perfect centering. You would not spec vinyl in your Bentley.

Yes, a resounding, YES.

Why? The reasoning is as logical or as illogical as the the divide between Democrat and Republican.

I'm interested in gum. But I can identify and study gum even if a small part of it has been removed by a hinge. I rejoice that mounted mint stamps are less fashionable than unmounted mint stamps, because it means that I can afford to buy more of them.

Some of the previous commentators did not directly say if their choice was only between the two given stamps, which one they would put into their album.

You did not ask that question, you focused on hinging condition. Of course a used stamp eliminates the hinge conundrum.

Front only the two stamps have different characteristics which would affect one choice. If the "H' stamp was thinned would you still select it since your focus seems to be on centering and ink color. Specifically how damaged will you accept a stamp for your album when it is on the "blindside" as you call it? Does purchase price and potential resale price affect you choice at all?

How do you plan to add the stamp to your collection, by hinging, by an expensive (relative to the cost of the stamp) mount, in a stock book or page, clear of black? You do not supply such useful information in making such a choice.

Otherwise, pick the copy you enjoy and assume your collection will go into the recycle bin when you are done with it. Our opinions should not matter to you unless you need outside approval to make your (?) choice unless to need to make "your" choice "our" choice.

Look here to see a discussion which may impact one's selection if color is an issue: https://goscf.com/t/90649

That too muddies the selection process for some.

Side question: how does mint no gum stack up versus MNH and MH?

I assume worth less than MH, but usually more than used...? Or the same as used?

Have found a lovely brick (yes, a brick) of mint 1930s French semi-postals: lovely stamps but was going to bin them as they're all clumped together.

Then I figured I might soak them apart, just to see what they're like - but assuming that the value drops to 'used' (or maybe even less?) once I do that?

SG lists two shades: deep ultramarine and ultramarine. It looks as as if the left hand stamp is deep ultramarine and the right hand stamp is ordinary ultramarine. SG also suggests a 50% premium for well-centred stamps, but both of these look well-centred to me. If I had to choose, I think I'd prefer the deep shade. And it also has very very slightly tidier perforations.

So I'd decide how much I was willing to bid for the hinged stamp, and if I didn't get it I'd bid slightly less for the unhinged one. But as Parcelpostguy says, it all depends on your preferences, not mine or his.

From what I have observed the market for mint stamps that have no gum (an oxymoron if there ever was one) is nil unless we are talking about a rare item or a very popular item like the dollar value Columbians in the US. And IMO the only reason that no gum mint (oxymoron) stamps are a US thing is because dealers got Scott to list them with a value. I have only ever seen most stamps of the World that are mint with no gum (oxymoron) offered with a catalog value of used. It is kind of like a car dealer selling a new never titled vehicle with dents and the exhaust falling off. Good luck getting MSRP.

That's why the word "unused" exists. And it exists because early collectors didn't care about gum, and hadn't invented a quality hinge yet. So a lot of classic stamps have no gum. At least until they get regummed.

gvol - yes, prices for mint French precancels require gum. You can't get "less" for one without gum as that is their normal used state.

The current UK term for an uncancelled stamp without gum is "unused", which avoids the "mint" concept. Nomenclature has changed. Sixty years ago, Gibbons would just list stamps as "used" or "unused".

Well, gvol21 as you are in the USA, I will add, when Scott lists no gum prices for originally gummed stamps it is generally 50% of the hinged price. For NGAI, the question is moot except for the NGAI which were later gummed by the BEP for which they (the Farlies) carried a with gum premium (NH or H) but stays at NGAI catalog if the gum removed.

Edit: To correct spelling and add, "generally."