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Post by msindc on Jan 25, 2024 3:44:35 GMT
Folks:
I've noticed that there are tons of stamps where the price for a mint sheet might be two or four or ten times the price of the individual stamp. That doesn't seem to make economic sense. If I have a mint sheet with 50 or 100 stamps that is worth $10 but I could separate it into 100 stamps worth $1 each, economically it would make sense to do that. And the same stamp in a block of four might be worth more than the full mint sheet. I get that collectors care about things other than economics, but economics are a powerful force and I wonder how it is that the delta between individual and mint sheet can be so narrow?
Any thoughts?
Micah
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rod222
Member 
Posts: 11,051 
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jan 25, 2024 4:36:51 GMT
Folks: I've noticed that there are tons of stamps where the price for a mint sheet might be two or four or ten times the price of the individual sheet. That doesn't seem to make economic sense. If I have a mint sheet with 50 or 100 stamps that is worth $10 but I could separate it into 100 stamps worth $1 each, economically it would make sense to do that. And the same stamp in a block of four might be worth more than the full mint sheet. I get that collectors care about things other than economics, but economics are a powerful force and I wonder how it is that the delta between individual and mint sheet can be so narrow? Any thoughts? Micah
I feel collecting purely for the perceived profit, is kind of grubby,
one is not a Philatelist, just an "investor"
One is missing out on the finer points of the hobby,
and the wonder of it all.
That said, I do use price, for differing reasons.
It financially draws a line, above which I canot afford to own
or research. It points often to the item's scarcity.
I know I can collect, just about all of "Turkiye" stamps,
from inception up to about 2000 when the price of modern
issues, is way above what I reasonably afford.
I also forget the "Imprimes", full of forgeries and the genuine vastly expensive.
So price sets the parameters of my own collections.
Regarding the singleton versus the block, you shall probably find
the conundrum, pointing towards the date of the issue of the stamp.
Blocks in the "classic" era, are an aid to "plating" issues, that were hand engraved
and have minor varieties that are of immense interest.
Modern issues, collectors favour the single, to place on album pages,
some then also collect the "souvenir sheets" or "panes"
it depends on the individual.
Your reflection as you collect, should generally ask the question,
"Are you having fun ?"
If it is, than tally forth, the philatelic sea, is vast and all consuming.
If you are overspending, anxious in finding the "perfect" rare stamp
Ignoring other facets of your life,
Then it may be time to re assess.
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salmantino
Member
Posts: 266
What I collect: Specialised UK and overprints, Ireland, Netherlands, Spanish permanent stamps.
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Post by salmantino on Jan 25, 2024 6:37:32 GMT
It would be helpful if you define 'worth.' Are you referring to a number in a catalogue or the price someone asks on Ebay?
Almost all catalogues have a minimum 'price' that most will explain in the introduction as such. It represents a cost price, but not a value. A dealer must rent for storage, insurance, and live of his activities. Time spent on listing a penny stamp has value to a dealer. He, therefore, will not offer you a single stamp for its true value of a penny, but ask a minimum price. Listing a block of 10 or sheet of 100 is almost as costly. Asking 10 or 100 times the minimum price will make the item too expensive.
If you have a sheet of 100 penny stamps and want to sell each stamp individually at a minimum price, you are likely to get more for it than for the complete block or sheet. However, you might sell the sheet quickly but not live to see the 100th stamp be sold.
For a collector time is not a cost. For a dealer who has fixed costs as long as he has stock, time is money.
Will the single sell at or close to the minimum price? Yes. As long as there is a collector looking to fill a gap that annoys him, there will be a collector who will pay more than its worth. I once bid for two stamps from a set that made up most of the set's catalogue value. Over time, I found the mid-priced stamps. It left me looking for the cheapest stamp that just was not offered. I did get it, at around three times full (Stanley Gibbons) catalogue price plus postage. I, happily, paid three times that catalogue price of around £1 for a block of four. I took the perfect example from the block to fill the gap and discarded the other three stamps. One or two of them had minute stains. But do not expect to find another 25 of me to sell the full sheet in blocks of four.
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FDI
Member
Member of RPSC & BNAPS
Posts: 386
What I collect: Modern Canada (misperf, varieties, tagging errors), Canadian Cinderellas, EXUP & CAPEX & Dead Countries
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Post by FDI on Jan 25, 2024 16:38:18 GMT
No collectors and no dealers are alike. We each have our needs and requirements to fulfill our albums or our stock books. The value of a stamp is so subjective to both that in my opinion there are no right or wrong answer here. I don't personnaly collet plate blocks unless it's a variety and surprisingly enough, if I can put my hands on a full sheet I will do so. I was told by a dealer at one time that full sheets of any stamps will become more rare with time. Not sure if this is true, but I've been buying full sheets (when affordable) ever since.  |
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fazeman
Member
Posts: 380
What I collect: Worldwide
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Post by fazeman on Mar 3, 2024 1:55:34 GMT
I don't mind sellers breaking down a sheet to make blocks, strips or single stamps for profit. I like these options along with buying the whole sheet.
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