I've been working through my US collection weeding out obvious flawed stamps. As a kid into my teenage years I collected what came my way, and most do not pass the current test for condition. Some of these are actually very pleasing to the eye like my Scott #63 with the tear or the various stamps with thins. I will not bring these flawed stamps to my current collection; although some have visual appeal, I know they are not sound.
This one has shortened perfs and a stain, but I'm still debating on bringing this forward to my current mounted US collection. I remember purchasing this stamp at a show. I wonder if I even realized it had cut perfs? I love this series, and am not yet ready to spring for an unused copy. This one may have to do for now.
Do any of you have a similar dilemma? I could easily fill those empty spaces in my new pristine custom album with my substandard stock, but am restraining myself.
re: Applying an adult critical eye to my US Stamps
I do have that same dilemma, although I seem to be getting a bit more casual about it, and often see positive attributes of a stamp as outweighing negative attributes. And I have to say that your stamp is at least as attractive as mine, which is almost perfectly centred and has full perfs, but has a large obliterator that virtually hides Farragut's face.
I took the liberty of tweaking you image a bit, heightening contrast and lightening it overall, and "mounting" it in a virtual black mount:
That would look fine amongst other stamps, I think. Also, I wonder what a brief soak in a small bowl of warm water with a couple drops of household bleach and dish detergent would do. I've often done that with grubby stamps and had good results.
re: Applying an adult critical eye to my US Stamps
your criteria are far more severe than mine; I'd happily have that in my collection. the slight decrease in perfs on BR would be no problem at all; centering is really nice, and cancellation is reasonable. for me, it would be a keeper
David
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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"
re: Applying an adult critical eye to my US Stamps
I love what you did with it, Bob! I was trying to get the black mount effect, but darkened the whole image. The stamp is actually a bit lighter than the scanned image.
Thanks for the comments, as well. The stain at the upper right may come clean; Mr. Farragut may just need a bath!
I think that I sometimes go into OCD overdrive, and that is when I lose interest due to frustration and a short wallet for perfection. I removed 4 of my 1902-03 series alone. I think I shall adopt your more casual stance to some of my stamps, and enjoy them for what they are.
re: Applying an adult critical eye to my US Stamps
Damaged stamps make great space fillers, until you can get a better copy. Better to have something in the space than a blank, especially with high valued stamps..
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin 24 Feb 2015 05:45:03pm
re: Applying an adult critical eye to my US Stamps
Hey, anyone who has "damaged" classic stamps like the one illustrated above, and wants to get rid of them at fire sale prices because they do not wish to have them in their collection, put them in the auction and then send me an email - I'd love the opportunity to add those unwanted orphans to my hoard!
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke"
re: Applying an adult critical eye to my US Stamps
I'm with Carl, but I only collect unused back to and including the First Bureau. Before that I don't even TRY to get anything but used. I have a few used stamps as space fillers in the First Bureau forward, but eventually I would like to replace those with mint or unused. My 311 is a used placeholder for now, but it has nice centering and a nice REG cancel.
I, too, don't care about the gum side of the stamp. When I see "hinge remnant" in the listing that screams "Bargain!" to me.
Lars
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"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin 27 Mar 2015 03:38:16pm
re: Applying an adult critical eye to my US Stamps
"When I see "hinge remnant" in the listing that screams "Bargain!" to me."
So you're the one always bidding against me!
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke"
