philatelia
Member 
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 17, 2022 14:09:38 GMT
Reading a post on another forum where a newer member was contemplating throwing away a badly damaged copy of a stamp with a high catalog value made me want to share a thought…
Before you throw away ANY stamp that catalogs, oh, let’s say over $50 or so, PLEASE consider putting it in a club auction for a few pennies or give it away to another. Why? Well of course most of us would rather have a space filler than nothing at all. But, more importantly, a damaged stamp can make excellent, inexpensive REFERENCE MATERIAL. Why do you think expertizers keep reference collections? There is nothing better than seeing, feeling or even “smelling” the genuine thing to help a philatelist learn how to identify the real deal.
Damaged stamps are also helpful for getting enough copies for comparing color varieties and for generally studying an issue.
So PLEASE don’t destroy any stamps with high catalog values no matter how completely crappy or raggedy. They do have a secret value!
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,654 
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Jul 17, 2022 14:23:42 GMT
This is an excellent point, Terri ( philatelia), and one that I follow as well. The lowest CV for a genuine Cape triangle of any kind is about £85 or so. Consequently, I keep every one I can get my hands on, even the ones that are torn or otherwise seriously damaged. As you say, they can provide a good resource for color comparison, which I have already found useful. In addition, these kinds of stamps can also be used as philatelic guinea pigs for experimentation to check for fugitive inks or to test a chemical cleaning method. Anyway, great topic, Terri…. as usual! |
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rex
Member
Posts: 1,150
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Post by rex on Jul 17, 2022 15:15:10 GMT
I fully agree.
Philatelic experts have collections of this type in their archives. They have real examples at a fraction of the cost.
I have always put them in the collection with ease.
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,604
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
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Post by hdm1950 on Jul 17, 2022 15:40:51 GMT
I too have no problems with keeping damaged stamps, especially classics from pre 1900. In my case they are mostly in my Scott World Wide albums that countries I do not specialize in are housed. My only concern is that someday, when my estate has to be dealt with, these damaged stamps may downgrade the total collection. I have seen lots of auction listings properly saying that ‘many damaged noted’. I sometimes think about pulling the severely damaged out and storing them on separate stock pages. The several countries that I have placed in old school specialty albums are more carefully curated with very few damaged allowed entry. When Chris Beryllium Guy and a few others started posting in depth about the Cape of Good Hope triangles I quickly saw where my badly damaged examples could be better appreciated for research purposes and popped them in the mail to him. |
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Jul 17, 2022 16:32:03 GMT
And I really appreciate that, Hugh ( hdm1950)! I am giving them a good home. There is a chance that the 6d you sent will make an interesting contribution to a color study of those issues when I get to that stage. Thanks again for sending those to me! |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Jul 17, 2022 16:41:41 GMT
I recently bid on a stamp that had been torn in half, but lost. With the application of some archival tape, it would have made a nice space filler. I normally wouldn't bid on a damaged stamp but the catalog value of a sound copy of this one is $1,250.00.
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,825
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Jul 18, 2022 10:34:15 GMT
Before you throw away ANY stamp... Binned a few myself, but those were soaking mishaps. If they make it to the drying or stock book, they must have been thought to have had some value; either for myself or some else.
I think any stamp, regardless of condition can find a home, fill a space or provide reference.
Portuguese Ceres Issue - Cabo Verde 1914, liso (smooth) paper, perforated 12 x 11 1/2 with 12 mm tear upper right, but nice N/C cliché on the bottom.
Until I locate another example, this is the only I have and value it as such...
Have fun and happy collecting!
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 18, 2022 15:56:31 GMT
stanley64 - what does the N/C stand for? I’ll probably do a forehead slap when you tell me, but right now I’m drawing a blank. Thanks!
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Jul 19, 2022 7:58:57 GMT
Thanks for asking that, Terri ( philatelia ), as I have also been wondering about the meaning of "N/C" in this context. I did a web search, and a variety of possibilities for the acronym in general do appear, but none seems to fit this case, really. Back in my Sales Dept. working days, N/C always stood for "no charge", or more recently, in technical reports, it means "no change". But that is clearly beside the point! I do note that a web search for the expression "N/C cliché" shows other Portuguese Ceres stamps in online listings, but none of the ones I could find explains what the N/C stands for. OK, Vince ( stanley64 ), you now have an attentive audience!  |
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,825
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Jul 19, 2022 9:44:40 GMT
I do not know about being a head slapper, but I use the abbreviation 'N/C' or 'n/c' for "not catalogued"... Have fun and happy collecting! |
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 19, 2022 10:28:54 GMT
Ahhhh - thanks for explaining, stanley64. That one had me stumped! |
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