cardguy
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Posts: 20 
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Post by cardguy on Jul 12, 2014 19:13:52 GMT
Hi everyone. Another question from a newbie to this forum. While going thorough some stamps I have, both used and mint, I noticed that some have the catalog number written in pencil on the back. I imagine at one time a collector or dealer had written them to keep track of which stamp it is because of the different perfs and watermarks. Is this a common practice today? Does it detract from the stamp's value? Is it acceptable in the collecting world? Should I gently try to erase?
Thanks again.
Robert
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rod222
Member 
Posts: 11,047
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Jul 12, 2014 20:40:46 GMT
Hi everyone. Another question from a newbie to this forum. While going thorough some stamps I have, both used and mint, I noticed that some have the catalog number written in pencil on the back. I imagine at one time a collector or dealer had written them to keep track of which stamp it is because of the different perfs and watermarks. Is this a common practice today? Does it detract from the stamp's value? Is it acceptable in the collecting world? Should I gently try to erase? Thanks again. Robert Hi Robert, rather a common practice, esp amongst the stamps I purchase. Generally occurs when the collector is sorting. and, as you say to ID perfs and wmks. It would detract from a valuable stamp, yet seems not to have affected the British Guiana at 10 million dollars. Not acceptable generally speaking, but these things occur, and best not to let it faze you. I would not erase unless it irritates you. Hope that helps. |
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Post by TinMan on Jul 12, 2014 21:54:21 GMT
Robert although I do not write on the backs of any stamps . I don't think it would do any harm to used stamps because most don't have much value anyway. I in no way would recommend anyone write on any stamp that is from Scott #1 to Scott #800. About erasing NO you take a chance of damaging the stamp. Just leave the number alone. That's just my opinion. You would be better off soaking the stamp if it has no gum in Luke warm water with a little dish soap in the water.
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cardguy
**Member**
Inactive
Posts: 20
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Post by cardguy on Jul 12, 2014 23:07:32 GMT
Thanks guys. The pencil does not bother me so I will just leave them alone. Although, I do have a Brithish Guiana, it does not have a pencil mark..........anymore. hahaha. Basically, I am referring to writing on the backs of stamps with a Scott Catalog Value up to $50.00 and would be for selling on ebay so I can buy what I like to collect.
Thanks again,
Robert
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,655
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 13, 2014 18:56:48 GMT
I would suggest not adopting the practice though. I know many people consider penciled stamps as damaged and won't take them in trade. I ran into that problem many times. And some of the penciling was done with so much pressure that it embossed the paper. Not good. And the number is useless if you don't use the same catalog. It was a very popular practice years ago but it seems to have gone the way of the dodo similar to hinging mint stamps. I, personally, don't care for them, but they don't freak me out either.
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Post by stoltzpup on Jul 13, 2014 19:35:34 GMT
I don't like the pencil marks and, given the choice, I do not select stamps with them. But, when I have one so marked in my collection, I don't attempt erasure. Marking is an old practice that, thankfully, has all but died out. I bought a stamp on ebay once for which the seller had not mentioned the pencil marking. I returned it. He said the mark was "acceptable." Not by me, it wasn't.
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