Gifts for Stamp Collectors
All stamp collectors need various tools, supplies and reference books in order to work on their hobby. And everyone, whether they collect stamps or not, loves receiving gifts! If you're not a stamp collector yourself you might not know anything about the types of things that would make good gifts for a philatelist. So here's a list of some gift ideas that might please any stamp collector, from beginner to old-timer.
1. First and foremost, stamps.
If you don't already know, find out what type of stamps the person collects. Just about every stamp collector in the world wants more stamps. The more the better. Giving stamps will help the stamp collector build his or her collection, which after all is the point of the whole thing. You can give stamps in more than one way.
The first way to give stamps to a collector is by finding out if there's a specific stamp or group of stamps (a "stamp set") that the person particularly needs - or badly wants - for his or her collection. When you find out, you can purchase those particular stamps, and voila, you've made someone extremely happy.
The second way to give stamps is by finding out what type of stamp collection the person has. Is it a worldwide stamp collection or is it one or more specific countries? Does the stamp collection focus on a specific topic or theme? Does the stamp collector only collect mint never hinged stamps (unused stamps, with their original gum perfectly intact) or does he or she prefer to collect postally used stamps? When you find these things out you'll know a lot more about what types of stamps would make a good gift for that particular stamp collector. Instead of buying individual specific stamps or stamp sets you can buy stamp mixtures that fill the bill in larger quantities of an ounce, a quarter pound or even a pound at a time. The advantages of doing this? Well, as you know, stamps are very, very lightweight, and there are tons of them in even as small a quantity as an ounce. And thousands of them in half a pound. So giving the gift of a stamp mixture will actually give the collector two things: the stamps themselves, and hours of fun sorting through them to see what stamps are in the mix. And stamp assortments have the additional benefit of usually being very inexpensive to buy.
A third alternative for buying stamps is purchasing a gift certificate: a few stamp shops will allow you to purchase a gift certificate that you can give to the stamp collector. As with any type of gift certificate, the recipient can then use it to buy whatever he or she wants. There's even an online stamp shop that offers gift certificates in various dollar amounts. It's called The Stamp People and is located at http://www.thestamppeople.com
2. The tools and supplies that all stamp collectors need and use.
Stamp tongs, a good magnifying glass, stamp mounts and/or stamp hinges, a guillotine-type mount cutter, an ultraviolet light for checking tagging and phosphors, watermarking liquid and a watermarking tray, a drying book, stamp catalogs and other stamp guides and reference books, glassine envelopes, stock books and stock cards for storage, and, last but not least, a stamp album for displaying the stamp collection - stamp albums are beautiful AND practical gifts!
Stamp-related gifts are some of the best gifts a stamp collector can receive. And he or she will think of you every time your gift is seen or used. Stamp collecting is a hobby for a lifetime, and your stamp-related gift will be an endless source of pleasure.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
History of Stamp Collecting
When and how did the stamp collecting hobby begin?
The very first stamp - called the Penny Black - was issued by Great Britain in 1840. Sir Rowland Hill first thought of the idea of using postage stamps to prepay for the delivery of mailm and he implemented it with the cooperation of the British government. The Penny Black features a picture of Queen Victoria. An imperforate stamp (it has no perforations), like other imperforate stamps, it required the use of scissors to cut each individual stamp from the sheet it was printed on. The next country to use stamps to pay for postage was Brazil.
The United States began issuing stamps at certain local post offices (such as St. Louis) in 1845 but the first official US stamp wasn't issued until 1847. Stamp collecting beganquickly, and at first it probably was a children's hobby. But when these children grew older they continued their passion for collecting stamps into their adult years. In the late 1800’s people began really studying postage stamps, publishing the results of their studies after researching everything from printing methods to printing flaws caused by certain plates. Stamp dealers began to open establishments that were specifically geared towards stamp collectors, whose numbers were increasing every year. This is when stamp collecting truly took off, and despite rumors to the contrary, it is still going strong today.
Collectors soon discovered that if they were able to locate unused copies of older stamps they would be worth much more than their face values - finding unused stamps in mint condition was somewhat uncommon. As a result, stamp collectors in the 1930s began purchasing and preserving stamps in hopes of having a valuable mint stamp years later. Unfortunately the idea backfired - at least to a certain degree - because the practice was so common. Too many people had the same idea and even today, unused, many mint condition stamps from thar era are common (although there are exceptions of course, and some mint stamps from that era are very expensive).
During stamp collecting's infancy, many stamp collectors would collect stamps from every country - or at least many countries - because not so many stamps were issued. Now there are literally millions of stamps that have been issued over time, and because it would be so difficult to "keep up" there are not as many worldwide stamp collectors. The current trends in stamp collecting are: 1. to concentrate on collecting the stamps issued by just one country, or perhaps a few countries; or 2. to focus on collecting stamps issued by many countries but having a single theme. This practice is called topical stamp or thematic stamp collecting.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Stampless Covers
Stampless covers, also called pre-adhesive mail or pre-stamp mail, are letters that were mailed before postage stamps were issued. The term can also refer to mail sent after the introduction of postage stamps, but unpaid (as was permitted in many countries) or without the payment of the postage charge being indicated by a postage stamp - sometimes the letter was marked paid in handwriting.
This type of mail is usually a letter sheet because the use of envelopes was not popularized until after the introduction of postage stamps, the earliest of which was issued in 1840. Stampless covers include court and government letters and items by the general public before official public mail services were introduced. The mail often bears distinctive town and other marks applied worldwide.
Stampless covers were the norm in the United Kingdom before the Penny Black and two pence Blue stamps (the world's first stamps) were issued in1840. They were also the norm in other countries until those countries starting issuing postage stamps.
Stampless covers, also called pre-adhesive mail or pre-stamp mail, are letters that were mailed before postage stamps were issued. The term can also refer to mail sent after the introduction of postage stamps, but unpaid (as was permitted in many countries) or without the payment of the postage charge being indicated by a postage stamp - sometimes the letter was marked paid in handwriting.
This type of mail is usually a letter sheet because the use of envelopes was not popularized until after the introduction of postage stamps, the earliest of which was issued in 1840. Stampless covers include court and government letters and items by the general public before official public mail services were introduced. The mail often bears distinctive town and other marks applied worldwide.
Stampless covers were the norm in the United Kingdom before the Penny Black and two pence Blue stamps (the world's first stamps) were issued in1840. They were also the norm in other countries until those countries starting issuing postage stamps.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Collecting Topical or Thematic Stamps
Topical or thematic stamp collecting is the practice of collecting postage stamps relating to a particular subject or concept. Topics may include just about anything, from flowers on stamps to famous explorers to stamps on stamps (yep, a smaller version of some stamp that's reproduced on another stamp).
Early stamps usually pictured the heads of reigning monarchs or government officials, people that were important in the country's history, or coats of arms. But that can get boring, so postal administrations around the world eventually developed new designs that drew upon nature and also their nations' cultures. A prime example is the beaver, featured on some of the earliest stamps of Canada. More than 150 years later, the number of designs on stamps is staggering and provides stamp collectors with thousands of different topics to collect.
In fact, there are now so many stamps that traditional topics for collecting, such as "ships" or "birds", have become nearly impossible to complete. Many topical collectors have adapted to this by narrowing their thematic stamp collections further, such as by looking for only sailing ships from the 1800s, or only flightless birds.
Most types of stamp designs are commonly available and inexpensive, and acquiring them is mostly a matter of reviewing stamp catalogs to find relevant stamps.
Lists of topics can be obtained from The American Topical Association and other groups. Or you can make up your own - after all, it's YOUR collection!
Topical or thematic stamp collecting is the practice of collecting postage stamps relating to a particular subject or concept. Topics may include just about anything, from flowers on stamps to famous explorers to stamps on stamps (yep, a smaller version of some stamp that's reproduced on another stamp).
Early stamps usually pictured the heads of reigning monarchs or government officials, people that were important in the country's history, or coats of arms. But that can get boring, so postal administrations around the world eventually developed new designs that drew upon nature and also their nations' cultures. A prime example is the beaver, featured on some of the earliest stamps of Canada. More than 150 years later, the number of designs on stamps is staggering and provides stamp collectors with thousands of different topics to collect.
In fact, there are now so many stamps that traditional topics for collecting, such as "ships" or "birds", have become nearly impossible to complete. Many topical collectors have adapted to this by narrowing their thematic stamp collections further, such as by looking for only sailing ships from the 1800s, or only flightless birds.
Most types of stamp designs are commonly available and inexpensive, and acquiring them is mostly a matter of reviewing stamp catalogs to find relevant stamps.
Lists of topics can be obtained from The American Topical Association and other groups. Or you can make up your own - after all, it's YOUR collection!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Souvenir Sheet or Miniature Sheet ~ What They Are
A souvenir sheet or miniature sheet is a small group of postage stamps that are still attached to the sheet on which they were printed. They are usually commemorative stamps that are issued in connection with an event, such as a national anniversary, a philatelic exhibition, or some government program. The number of stamps on a mini-sheet ranges from one to five or six; larger sheets of stamps are simply called "sheets."
The stamps on the souvenir sheet may be perforated or imperforate. The margins or selvage of the sheet (the part that's not a stamp) often has an additional design that frames the stamp(s). This additional design could be as simple as a mere text statement that describes the occasion being commemorated, a beautifully designed image of which the stamp(s) form just a small part, or anywhere in between.
Both the stamps and the entire miniature sheet can be used for mailing, although they are almost always sold above face value and kept in mint collection by collectors; usages on cover are not terribly easy to find.
A souvenir sheet or miniature sheet is a small group of postage stamps that are still attached to the sheet on which they were printed. They are usually commemorative stamps that are issued in connection with an event, such as a national anniversary, a philatelic exhibition, or some government program. The number of stamps on a mini-sheet ranges from one to five or six; larger sheets of stamps are simply called "sheets."
The stamps on the souvenir sheet may be perforated or imperforate. The margins or selvage of the sheet (the part that's not a stamp) often has an additional design that frames the stamp(s). This additional design could be as simple as a mere text statement that describes the occasion being commemorated, a beautifully designed image of which the stamp(s) form just a small part, or anywhere in between.
Both the stamps and the entire miniature sheet can be used for mailing, although they are almost always sold above face value and kept in mint collection by collectors; usages on cover are not terribly easy to find.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Future of Stamp Collecting
The rising popularity of email, texting, instant messaging and other electronic forms of communication, along with postage meter strips and custom-made stamps, cause many stamp collectors to worry about the future of stamp collecting. They believe the future of philately is bleak because of these revolutionary new alternatives to physical mail. Yet both the telegraph and the telephone were "revolutionary new alternatives" when they began to be used in the 19th century, and as we know, neither one spelled the end of stamps on mail or stamp collecting as a hobby.
There many reasons for the persistence of stamp collecting, and they are signs of hope for the future of stamp collecting. The possible financial rewards, educational benefits and the mesmerizing ability to pass the time that stamp collecting offers are just a few of those reasons. And many collectors may be more interested in old stamps than in new issues; they would not stop their stamp collections just because fewer new stamps were being issued because of email, texting, etc. But fewer stamps AREN'T being issued: letters written to Linn's Stamp News and other philatelic publications are full of complaints that every year there are so many new stamps that they are difficult to keep up with.
So fear not for your hobby, stamp collectors. Philately is alive and well, with a future assured for many years to come.
The rising popularity of email, texting, instant messaging and other electronic forms of communication, along with postage meter strips and custom-made stamps, cause many stamp collectors to worry about the future of stamp collecting. They believe the future of philately is bleak because of these revolutionary new alternatives to physical mail. Yet both the telegraph and the telephone were "revolutionary new alternatives" when they began to be used in the 19th century, and as we know, neither one spelled the end of stamps on mail or stamp collecting as a hobby.
There many reasons for the persistence of stamp collecting, and they are signs of hope for the future of stamp collecting. The possible financial rewards, educational benefits and the mesmerizing ability to pass the time that stamp collecting offers are just a few of those reasons. And many collectors may be more interested in old stamps than in new issues; they would not stop their stamp collections just because fewer new stamps were being issued because of email, texting, etc. But fewer stamps AREN'T being issued: letters written to Linn's Stamp News and other philatelic publications are full of complaints that every year there are so many new stamps that they are difficult to keep up with.
So fear not for your hobby, stamp collectors. Philately is alive and well, with a future assured for many years to come.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Stamp Essays and Proofs
Essays are designs for stamp vignettes (the main design in the center), stamp borders or both, that were never approved and used in the final printing of a stamp. Even if a design is adopted with only slight modifications, the original, unmodified design is still an "essay". Proofs are proposed designs that are exactly like the stamp that was eventually issued.
Between 1847 and 1894, all U.S. stamps were made by private bank note companies such as the American Bank Note Company or the Continental Bank Note Company. Essays and printing bids were submitted by those companies. The U.S. Post Office Department's policy for submitting new stamp proposals required bids to be submitted along with essays (examples of the proposed stamps). After the bids were opened, an Expert Committee evaluated the proposals and decided on the final designs, colors and paper.
Today, the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee usually decides on a U.S. stamp subject, chooses an artist or artists to design the stamp, and then submits the proposal, including the final artwork, to the postmaster general for his approval.
Essays for older U.S. stamps were produced in small quantities, with the outside printing firm keeping several copies. Today, design essays are kept by the U.S. Postal Service; few, if any, ever reach the stamp trade in any format.
Essays now sometimes consist of artists' sketches, but it was much different in the early days of stamps. Back then, finished plate essays that were fully gummed, perforated, and sometimes grilled would be submitted. All such material, whether just an art sketch or a finished, final plate proof, remains an essay until the printing and issuance of a stamp that's exactly like it. Then it is called a proof.
Proofs are known to exist in many varied styles. The Scott Specialized Catalogue of U.S. Stamps lists hundreds of varieties of proofs and trial color proofs from the postmasters' provisionals of New York (1845) and Providence (1846) to the 6¢ 50th Anniversary of Powered Flight airmail of May 1953. Scott's list includes only those proofs submitted by companies that were not owned by the government.
Until about 40 years ago, stamp proofs were available to the stamp trade. Thousands of proofs were distributed, creating a collecting irony: The proofs of modern U.S. stamps usually are not available, while older proofs are often up for sale. For all practical purposes, modern U.S. proofs are not obtainable by anyone, but collecting earlier essays and proofs are a fascinating branch of philately.
Essays are designs for stamp vignettes (the main design in the center), stamp borders or both, that were never approved and used in the final printing of a stamp. Even if a design is adopted with only slight modifications, the original, unmodified design is still an "essay". Proofs are proposed designs that are exactly like the stamp that was eventually issued.
Between 1847 and 1894, all U.S. stamps were made by private bank note companies such as the American Bank Note Company or the Continental Bank Note Company. Essays and printing bids were submitted by those companies. The U.S. Post Office Department's policy for submitting new stamp proposals required bids to be submitted along with essays (examples of the proposed stamps). After the bids were opened, an Expert Committee evaluated the proposals and decided on the final designs, colors and paper.
Today, the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee usually decides on a U.S. stamp subject, chooses an artist or artists to design the stamp, and then submits the proposal, including the final artwork, to the postmaster general for his approval.
Essays for older U.S. stamps were produced in small quantities, with the outside printing firm keeping several copies. Today, design essays are kept by the U.S. Postal Service; few, if any, ever reach the stamp trade in any format.
Essays now sometimes consist of artists' sketches, but it was much different in the early days of stamps. Back then, finished plate essays that were fully gummed, perforated, and sometimes grilled would be submitted. All such material, whether just an art sketch or a finished, final plate proof, remains an essay until the printing and issuance of a stamp that's exactly like it. Then it is called a proof.
Proofs are known to exist in many varied styles. The Scott Specialized Catalogue of U.S. Stamps lists hundreds of varieties of proofs and trial color proofs from the postmasters' provisionals of New York (1845) and Providence (1846) to the 6¢ 50th Anniversary of Powered Flight airmail of May 1953. Scott's list includes only those proofs submitted by companies that were not owned by the government.
Until about 40 years ago, stamp proofs were available to the stamp trade. Thousands of proofs were distributed, creating a collecting irony: The proofs of modern U.S. stamps usually are not available, while older proofs are often up for sale. For all practical purposes, modern U.S. proofs are not obtainable by anyone, but collecting earlier essays and proofs are a fascinating branch of philately.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Stamp Centering
Determining a stamp's value has several steps, with several factors affecting the final result. One of these factors that affect a stamp's value is its centering.
Every stamp collector should look at the centering of stamps as a factor in determining the value of his or her stamp collection. Being a judgment call, centering is subjective, and the centering of any given stamp will vary from collector to collector.
Seven centering grades are commonly used with stamps.
Poor. With poor centering, a significant portion of the design of the stamp is lost. For example, perforations running right through the stamp's design result in poor centering.
Average. The design of a stamp of this grade is centered slightly better. The perforations are probably just starting to cut into the design. But be careful, as "average" is a bit of a misnomer - most average stamps (except for some very early, rare classic stamps - are unacceptably centered).
Fine. Your basic stamp - the perforations don't impact the design, but the margins around the design are uneven: the left margin may be much wider than the right margin, or the top margin much taller than the bottom.
Fine/Very Fine. This is the middle ground between fine and very fine centering, and most stamps probably fall into this category. Essentially, the stamp centering isn't bad enough to be considered fine, but isn't good enough to be declared very fine.
Very Fine. A solidly centered stamp with only slight margin issues on one or two sides.
Extremely Fine or Extra-Fine (Superb). If a stamp is extremely fine or superb, it's perfectly centered. As you might imagine, stamps with this type of centering are harder to find, and will cost more too.
Jumbo. When a stamp is perfectly centered and also has extra-large margins, it's a Jumbo. The value of these stamps is also higher.
We hope these stamp grading tips will help you. Remember, grading is subjective, but it's also very important in determining the value of your stamps.
Determining a stamp's value has several steps, with several factors affecting the final result. One of these factors that affect a stamp's value is its centering.
Every stamp collector should look at the centering of stamps as a factor in determining the value of his or her stamp collection. Being a judgment call, centering is subjective, and the centering of any given stamp will vary from collector to collector.
Seven centering grades are commonly used with stamps.
Poor. With poor centering, a significant portion of the design of the stamp is lost. For example, perforations running right through the stamp's design result in poor centering.
Average. The design of a stamp of this grade is centered slightly better. The perforations are probably just starting to cut into the design. But be careful, as "average" is a bit of a misnomer - most average stamps (except for some very early, rare classic stamps - are unacceptably centered).
Fine. Your basic stamp - the perforations don't impact the design, but the margins around the design are uneven: the left margin may be much wider than the right margin, or the top margin much taller than the bottom.
Fine/Very Fine. This is the middle ground between fine and very fine centering, and most stamps probably fall into this category. Essentially, the stamp centering isn't bad enough to be considered fine, but isn't good enough to be declared very fine.
Very Fine. A solidly centered stamp with only slight margin issues on one or two sides.
Extremely Fine or Extra-Fine (Superb). If a stamp is extremely fine or superb, it's perfectly centered. As you might imagine, stamps with this type of centering are harder to find, and will cost more too.
Jumbo. When a stamp is perfectly centered and also has extra-large margins, it's a Jumbo. The value of these stamps is also higher.
We hope these stamp grading tips will help you. Remember, grading is subjective, but it's also very important in determining the value of your stamps.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Australian States Stamps
Highly collectible. some of the stamps issued by the various Australian States - the forerunners of Australia - are quite affordable while others are quite expensive. But all are highly collectible and they form a very interesting piece of Australian history. Australian States stamps can also be challenging to collect due to a variety of watermarks and perforation varieties.
The Australian States are:
New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Highly collectible. some of the stamps issued by the various Australian States - the forerunners of Australia - are quite affordable while others are quite expensive. But all are highly collectible and they form a very interesting piece of Australian history. Australian States stamps can also be challenging to collect due to a variety of watermarks and perforation varieties.
The Australian States are:
New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Grading Stamps - Part III
We've already mentioned that grading stamps is a subjective art, with experts disagreeing on some of the finer points of condition. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults often command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Very Fine and Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
Five different criteria are often used when grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). This post, we'll talk about what makes a "Very Good" stamp.
Very Good:
Gum: Gum is disturbed or partially missing.
Color: Some fading of the stamp's color may be apparent.
Paper: Paper defects such as staining or creases may be present.
Centering: Perforations cut into or touch the design. The frameline is just cut into by the edge of the stamp on one or two sides (this latter pertains to imperforate stamps).
Cancellation: A medium cancel covering more of the design than a stamp that's in Fine cancellation. The cancellation is not necessarily legible, with perhaps an obscured date or postmark location.
We've already mentioned that grading stamps is a subjective art, with experts disagreeing on some of the finer points of condition. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults often command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Very Fine and Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
Five different criteria are often used when grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). This post, we'll talk about what makes a "Very Good" stamp.
Very Good:
Gum: Gum is disturbed or partially missing.
Color: Some fading of the stamp's color may be apparent.
Paper: Paper defects such as staining or creases may be present.
Centering: Perforations cut into or touch the design. The frameline is just cut into by the edge of the stamp on one or two sides (this latter pertains to imperforate stamps).
Cancellation: A medium cancel covering more of the design than a stamp that's in Fine cancellation. The cancellation is not necessarily legible, with perhaps an obscured date or postmark location.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Grading Stamps - Part II
As we said yesterday, grading stamps is subjective, and experts disagree on some fine points. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults often command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Very Fine and Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers assortment of stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
There are five different criteria that are used when grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). This post, we'll talk about what makes a "Fine" stamp.
Fine Stamps:
Gum: The gum may be slightly disturbed due to heavy, multiple or improper hinging.
Color: Color will show no fading, but may not be quite as fresh and vibrant as Very Fine stamps.
Paper: No tears, creases, thins, etc.
Centering: The design has smaller margins on one or two sides than with a Very Fine stamp, but the design must still be clear of the edges and clear of the perforations.
Cancellation: Any clearly struck postmark is acceptable for a Fine stamp.
Next post we'll discuss "Very Good" stamps.
As we said yesterday, grading stamps is subjective, and experts disagree on some fine points. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults often command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Very Fine and Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers assortment of stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
There are five different criteria that are used when grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). This post, we'll talk about what makes a "Fine" stamp.
Fine Stamps:
Gum: The gum may be slightly disturbed due to heavy, multiple or improper hinging.
Color: Color will show no fading, but may not be quite as fresh and vibrant as Very Fine stamps.
Paper: No tears, creases, thins, etc.
Centering: The design has smaller margins on one or two sides than with a Very Fine stamp, but the design must still be clear of the edges and clear of the perforations.
Cancellation: Any clearly struck postmark is acceptable for a Fine stamp.
Next post we'll discuss "Very Good" stamps.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Grading Stamps - Part I
Grading stamps is subjective, and even seasoned experts may disagree on some fine points at times. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Fine and Very Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers assortment of stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
Some people use five different criteria when they are grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). For now, we'll talk about what makes a "Very Fine" stamp.
Very Fine Stamp:
Gum: Early stamps may have part of their original gum or even no gum at all. Later stamps should have complete undisturbed gum with no marks other than hinging if appropriate.
Color: The color of a stamp must appear unfaded - fresh and bright.
Paper: The paper of the stamp must be free of defects (no missing perfs, no thins, no creases).
Centering: The design of the stamp must be well-centered with distinct margins on all four sides - the design must not extend into the stamp's perforations.
Cancellation: A light, clear, well-centered cancellation (although some collectors prefer a light corner cancel which leaves the design of the stamp unobscured). A CDS cancellation (circular datestamp cancellation) is not required for a stamp to be considered Verf Fine, but is preferred by many stamp collectors.
In our next post we'll describe Fine stamps.
Grading stamps is subjective, and even seasoned experts may disagree on some fine points at times. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Fine and Very Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers assortment of stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
Some people use five different criteria when they are grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). For now, we'll talk about what makes a "Very Fine" stamp.
Very Fine Stamp:
Gum: Early stamps may have part of their original gum or even no gum at all. Later stamps should have complete undisturbed gum with no marks other than hinging if appropriate.
Color: The color of a stamp must appear unfaded - fresh and bright.
Paper: The paper of the stamp must be free of defects (no missing perfs, no thins, no creases).
Centering: The design of the stamp must be well-centered with distinct margins on all four sides - the design must not extend into the stamp's perforations.
Cancellation: A light, clear, well-centered cancellation (although some collectors prefer a light corner cancel which leaves the design of the stamp unobscured). A CDS cancellation (circular datestamp cancellation) is not required for a stamp to be considered Verf Fine, but is preferred by many stamp collectors.
In our next post we'll describe Fine stamps.
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