As some of you know, I collect Bulgarian stamps from the pre-1990 era. Well, I found a collection of 1800 POSTALLY used /not CTO/ priced at 36 BGN, that is about $20. I wonder if I should buy it. I know postally used stamps have a CV almost as high as mint ones.
I wonder what your opinion is.
Note: the stamps will be hinged. Will this ruin their value a lot? They have no gum, but the hinges may thin the paper.
Georgi
re: Could you give me some advice on a possible purchase
"I know postally used stamps have a CV almost as high as mint ones."
I don't know if what may be true for this period of Bulgarian stamps, but in general mint stamps can catalog for more than used, and in some cases, where use of a stamp for postage is not common, the used stamp can catalog for more than mint.
But in general, $20 for 1800 stamps translates to 9c per stamp, and doesn't sound unreasonable but this depends on your collection interests and the condition of the stamps. For example: Are there lots of duplicates? What is the condition overall (missing perfs, torn, thins, etc. decrease the value and attractiveness more than being hinged, IMHO)? Are these stamps you could use in your collection (to what extent do they duplicate your collection)?
re: Could you give me some advice on a possible purchase
There are no duplicates, I think. Also, the cost per stamp is about 1.1c, according to my calculations. These might fill half of the empty holes in my collection. The quality is quite good.
re: Could you give me some advice on a possible purchase
Go for it, Georgi!
At that price and for those numbers you need not be bothering about catalogue value. The only possible disappointment is that you may get several sets missing the top value. Then one day you'll find yourself buying the entire set all over again just to get the missing one. That's happened to me rather too many times!
I'm told the weather's mighty hot in Bulgaria right now - all the best from chilly, damp London!
re: Could you give me some advice on a possible purchase
I contacted the seller, but I haven't had a response yet. The ad is quite old too, it was published in the last days of April! I hope he hasn't sold it yet.
As for the weather, it's 39C here! The air conditioner's working at full power.
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin 05 Sep 2015 09:11:28am
re: Could you give me some advice on a possible purchase
Georgi
If that is an all different collection of postally used, then $20US is a steal! Jump on it. Even if there is heavy duplication, you'll have a lot of excellent trading material.
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