Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I collect Netherlands stamps. nothing fancy yet (no syncopated perfs, etc). Just a nice'n'easy one of each up to 2000AD.
The gaps in my collection are now mostly the more expensive items (mostly the higher value guilder stamps). I'm on a budget and am never going to realistically fill these, so the option is space fillers or blanks.
Which leads me on to my question. If I pursue the spacefillers option, what % of Scott cat value could I expect to pay, and where would I source them. They don't seem to pop up on Ebay (or auctions/approvals) very often, the former of which has been a main source of commoner stamps.
Thanks
Peter
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Steal really nice scans of really nice stamps from auction sites, print them for 19c at your local drugstore, and fill that space!
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My take on space fillers...
IF I own a stamp in poor condition or I get it in a lot I acquire, I would put it in my album until I get a decent one. I wouldn't actually buy space fillers.
I have been trolling eBay a lot lately and I see stamps missing whole pieces for sale. I don't think I could bring myself to pay money for those, no matter how rare.
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Most of my higher cat value stamps have small faults. Pulled perfs, small creases or thins. They're more affordable that way. Not interested in stamps that have face scuffs, tears etc.
It all comes down to what your standards are and the depth of your pockets. Fresh, flawless stamps, especially the classics, come at a hefty premium. I can appreciate stamps like that I just can't afford them. But then again, maybe it makes more sense to buy one $500 perfect gem as opposed to 100 $5 stamps. Better investment in the long run.
Ernie
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Thanks for the responses so far.
I don't think I want to add photocopied stamps (though each to their own).
And I'm not collecting as an investment, so resale value isn't important.
I'm just collecting for the joy of it (however unfashionable that might be!).
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Hello Phook..i am afraid if i go the GAP route...it will remain a gap forever..by now i pretty much know what is a collectible/acceptable copy for me. putting a Junker in the space would just diminish the whole page. Welcome..good questions always get a thread going !
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I leave gaps. You might as well be honest about not having the stamp than try and hide the fact.
A collection is a 'work in progress'. There is always something to fill, collect or dream over. If you want a book of pictures, just buy the latest catalogue - much cheaper.
In any case, there is no shame in not having that $500 stamp in your collection. You are right in that you will probably never get it, but the dream that one day it will come your way is what collecting is all about.
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IkeyPikey, not sure if you were completely non-serious!
"Steal really nice scans of really nice stamps from auction sites..."
That is exactly what I intend to do with some of the ultra-rare issues in my Scott National Album. Why would I want to spend thousands on a stamp that is a one-off and never saw general use? So, I plan to get an image and mark it somehow. For example like this:
I'll have to work on the sizing...
In any case, that is a future project, and I certainly will not spend $250,000 for US Scott #81 any time soon!-Steve
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As far as the Netherlands are concerned: there are certain stamps that you will never get unless you are willing to spend money. Chances of finding them in "spacefiller quality" are small as well. Best option - in my opinion at least - is to approach it as going from level to level. Perhaps buy a collection at.a.certaun time in order to add some stamps you miss and try to sell what you already have in order to go to that "next level". Just be patient and realize that these 10 guilders coronation and jubilee will be out of reach.
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"If I pursue the space fillers option, what % of Scott cat value could I expect to pay"
First, it doesn't make much sense to buy space fillers for stamps that catalog less than $10.
If you decide to buy space fillers, then get one that is the best (least damaged) that you can find. Avoid those with chunks missing from them. Usual pricing for space fillers runs from 5% to 20% of catalog value. Note that almost all will fall in the 5% to 10% range. Only the really scarce stamps as space fillers can get above that 10% mark.
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I took a different route.Since I custom made and printed my pages, I eliminated all the ones that I knew I would never own, so there are no gaps to fill. If I ever do magically acquire one of these elusive stamps, I can re-do that page and add it back in.
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:-)
You beat me to that suggestion! Printing your own pages has many benefits!
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I once read a report by someone (who also happened to be a Netherlands collector) who, while travelling, arranged to meet with a couple of fellow collectors he had met through a club.
Collector A showed his collection and proudly pointed out the nice stamps he had.
Collector B showed his collection and miserably pointed out the holes in his collection.
One collector sees the doughnut, while another sees the hole. The first will be happier.
As a long time Netherlands collector, I accept that there will be stamps that I will never get, and holes that will never fill. But I can still dream of filling them. Fortunately, there are no $250,000 dollar stamps from the Netherlands.
I don't see the point in buying space fillers just to fill a hole, as my money is not space filler.
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"As a long time Netherlands collector, I accept that there will be stamps that I will never get, and holes that will never fill."
I have never had the disillusion of thinking I will completely finish my collection. To me the holes are the promise of good things to come. Once the album is full, the chase is over! And what fun is that?
"Collector A showed his collection and proudly pointed out the nice stamps he had.
Collector B showed his collection and miserably pointed out the holes in his collection.
One collector sees the doughnut, while another sees the hole. The first will be happier."
This also applies to model car builders. When viewing a nicely built model, I see all it's attributes and admire the workmanship.
But there are builders who feel compelled to point out all their mistakes as I view it. That completely ruins it. I never would have noticed the minor mistakes.
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I don't actively pursue space fillers, but will add any that come my way. I'd rather look at a lesser example, then a blank space. It's easy enough to swap it out for a better stamp, should I find one.
WB
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For a general country or topical collection I don't include space fillers (i.e. Since I mainly collect used my collections would be only stamps with full perfs/light cancel/no other faults). I use vario pages, so the "gaps" aren't really apparent.
However, for a more specialized collection (for example Canadian Small Queens) I do include stamps with faults if they show a reentry, cancel, or something else of interest. Of course if a better copy does come along, I do replace them.
Eric
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I also print my own pages so the number of blank spaces is minimized, but there are several that catalog at over $500. My standards for what I will accept vary and there are a few that are high priority to replace while others, in worse condition, I would not consider replacing. Just two examples would be:
US Columbus set: My $1 to $5 are used with varying faults. I would like to replace them with MNG with no major faults.
US Officials: Most of my 19th century officials are used and full of flaws, but those copies are readily available since damaged official stamps would be rather common by the time the cover reached its destination. Officials are an ancillary area for me. I wouldn't DREAM of putting crap like that in my Airmail album!
So it's all matter of personal preference. If you have discipline (I do not), leave that space empty until you get the right thing for that spot. If, like me, an empty space is like a splinter in your brain, get a space filler! For the US Official stamps O69 and O70 (CV $3500 and $2500 for MNG - the cheapest option) I used proofs as space fillers. If you watch the auctions you can snag them for as cheap as $10 each.
It's your collection. Make your own rules!
Lars
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10:48:15pm
It all boils down to a few simple concepts.
There are Collections and Collections,
spacefillers and spacefillers,
and even a few Space Collections.
What some may reject as not even a space filler,
might be just good enough to fill a space,
for someone else.
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Anglophile raises an important point: some day, someone may be quickly valuing your collection, and truly ratty space fillers may make too much of an impression.
OTOH, it is a little sad to maintain your albums (over decades!) with that point of time in mind ... though if you collect at that level, 'sound stamps only' is sound advice.
"... I don't see the point in buying space fillers just to fill a hole, as my money is not space filler ..."
Q/ So what else could you put in that space if you did not want to leave it empty?
How about money? What about cutting-up a low-denomination bill - from your country, or some other country - and putting a scrap in that space, just so you have something to look at? You would want something that would stand-out, so as to avoid Anglophile's issue; perhaps use a different mount? And you would get extra maxicard-type points if you used something topically related to the stamp that ain't there.
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
{Geostamper: I was entirely serious about the scans. Once upon a time, it occurred to me that I might like to put together a virtual album. It soon occurred to me that I'd sooner use other people's great scans of other people's great stamps, and that was my last thought about putting together a digital album.)
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Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post their thoughts!
I currently use stock books, so 'spaces' need not be evident. I think I shall keep it that way for now, and maybe keep a half-open eye in case anything comes along.
I'm a young man (in my 50s), so I'm not too bothered (yet) about the approach of the grim reaper. I'm not sure a dealer will be interested in picking over my modest collection anyway. (Will there be any dealers in c30 years time?)
When I shuffle off, I'm hoping that my currently dis-interested daughter will take pity on it and house it.
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Spacefillers don't have to be ugly. I collect what I like. In early US I love well centered msrgin (SE) copies. Many early stamps from Brazil have numerous natural perf faults but incredible fancy colored cancels. I care a lot more about a stamps visual appeal than the fact it may have a bent perf, pressed crease, or other fault that can only be seen after a close inspection.
Make a list of 20 or 30 stamps you'd like to have some day and search ebay every two or three days - you may be surprised what shows up. Pay 5 to 10 per cent of catalog - therefore if you want to pay $10 tops your list should comprise mostly stamps in the $100 to $200 catalog range.
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"Make a list of 20 or 30 stamps you'd like to have some day and search ebay every two or three days"
You don't have to do that. You can set 20 to 30 searches that will automatically email you when there is a new listing for anything in your search list. I think you still have to check once or twice per month for new store listings, but the automated auction notices are quite handy.
Lars
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Hi Lars,
How is that done?
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When you do an ebay search, look at the line that tells you the number of results returned in your search (here, 26). To the right of that is a green + and the text "Follow this search." Click on that to get e-mail alerts for new listings of that item.
Ted
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Thanks Ted!
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I am one of those that do not pay for space fillers but put them in my albums as found in lots & collections. The only reservation I obtained from the above thread is the concept of a dealer devaluating my collection for their presence.
I have a fellow collector who puts space savers, or any not perfect stamps , in her albums upside down and/or sideways. This allows her to clearly ID those in need of replacement or an upgrade, and would probably be a definite sign for any dealer evaluating the collection.
I remember an article I read years ago on the value of damaged stamps as references and controls even if you have to put them aside. I do keep many of these in my specialty areas for review. In that vein I also keep a forgeries and reprints binder.
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I enjoy flyspecking certain issues such as Irish overprints and the first Irish definitive issue. Multiple spacefillers of certain varieties can be very useful as reference material for study.
For my "one of a kind" collections, I do have some space fillers, but I put a little slip of paper with the catalog number next to the stamp to let me know to add that number to my wantlist. Having the faulty ones clearly labelled implies to anyone looking at my collection that the other copies are not damaged. I sure don't want to give the impression that I welcome poor quality. I don't know why, but I am always trying to find better copies all of the time. It isn't enough to fill that empty space, I want to find the nicest lightly cancelled, undamaged copy with no short perfs, pencils, thins etc. that I can afford. I suppose it is a stamp collector quirk and I wonder why is that so important to us? Is it fussiness? Pride? I don't know, but I do know that finding a better copy is almost as satisfying as filling an empty space.
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Theresa,
I doubt it would be possible to find such polar opposites:
"I enjoy flyspecking"
Hate it so much I buy plate blocks to rip out plate singles and buy partial plate booklets as needed so I don't have to identify boring Type Varieties.
"I sure don't want to give the impression that I welcome poor quality."
I don't give a rat's fat behind what anyone thinks of the quality that I find acceptable.
"I don't know why, but I am always trying to find better copies all of the time."
Typically, when I fill a space I'm done. Occasionally I will look through an album and notice a particular stamp that stands out as inferior to its surroundings and replace it.
"I suppose it is a stamp collector quirk and I wonder why is that so important to us?"
I contend that we all have our quirks regarding collecting, but finding a pristine copy is not universal. I would rather have a poorly centered, hinged booklet pane with a thin and one or maybe (gasp) two separated perfs, plus a light crease (saints preserve us), than a perfectly pristine and centered MNH copy of a US Second Bureau Type II 2c booklet pane - as long as the plate number is on the inferior pane. We all have our priorities, I suppose.
"I do know that finding a better copy is almost as satisfying as filling an empty space "
Not even close.
========================
I'm pointing out our differences because Theresa is one of the folks on here that I agree with almost all the time, and how odd that our collecting criteria would be polar opposites. We can agree to help others learn, and learn more ourselves. We can agree to be civil in our discourse, even if others don't hold up their end of the bargain. We can agree to be honest in our transactions with others.
But we don't have to agree on the proper way to manage a collection. That's the way it should be. Every stamp album should be emblazoned with the words: "It's YOUR collection, make your OWN rules!"
Lars
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Can someone please define "Spacefiller" for me please?
I thought a spacefiller was a drawing or photocopy (some non-stamp thing), but some of the comments here seem to indicate that a space filler could also be a torn or not to spec stamp also.
I have some stamps in my collection that are not what you would call up to standard, but these are stamps I would never have otherwise. Common stamps, however, I would leave an empty space for. Mind you, some stamps have more meaning than their catalogue value e.g. a stamp someone gave you or the first stamp you bought with your pocket money etc.
I am very happy with my collection. It is all mine! As commented above, I make the rules for it.
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A space filler in my understanding is a damaged stamp, typically of one that has a high catalogue value when in fine condition.
However, my stamp dictionary states "A low priced stamp to fill a space in a printed album. Mainly before 1900, many forgeries were made as space fillers."
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"Can someone please define "Spacefiller" for me please?"
I imagine everyone has their own definition, to suit their collecting goals. For me, my 2 main criteria are centering (doesn't have to be perfect, but it does have to be pleasing to MY eye), and color (again, it doesn't have to be perfect, i.e. rich/vivid/post-office-fresh, but I don't want faded washed-out colors, either).
If a stamp passes my eye test in these 2 areas, I can overlook a certain amount of other faults (short perfs, writing on back, hinge remnant, etc). If not, I will do one of two things: If it is a cheap stamp, I will set it aside to await further disposition (sell it or trash it); (now, finally, comes the answer to your question
) if it is an expensive stamp, or one that is a challenge to find in the required condition, I will mount it in my album to fill the space until I obtain a keeper.Ted
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A few thoughts on eBay searches. I have a bunch of them that send me emails nearly every day. Sometimes they will send the same item over and over, and as luck has it, it's usually some overpriced thing you'd never consider!
You do want to make your search terms as simple as possible to find as many of the item as it can. In the example above the search was United States C18, so that would only find auctions for C18 that the seller included the words United or States. You'd be much better going to the United States category and just searching for C18. That will find all the results in the target category.
Here's a few things that will help you create a meaningful search. You can also enter this onto the eBay search line for immediate searches as well...
United States will give you any auction with both these words in any order
"United States" will only give you the specific phrase United States.
-United States will give you any auction that doesn't include either of the words
-"United States" will give you any auction without the complete phrase
(united,states) will give you any auction that has either of the words
One of my searches in United States covers is (nj,"n.j.",jersey) -trenton -camden -newark. This gives me all the covers for New Jersey except the listed towns. I've used three ways to identify the state, NJ, the phrase N.J. and just jersey because it's simpler and will give me the same results as "New Jersey".
I also will include common misspellings. In fact one of my model car searches for old Plymouth Valiant models is (valiant,valent,valient) so it finds those misspellings.
So here's some basics, there are more but this should get you going! Hope this helps
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All the stamps in my albums are space fillers, there's not a single one that I wouldn't swap out for a "better" example.
WB
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"... "It's YOUR collection, make your OWN rules!" ..."
Which, if stamping existed in a vacuum, would be fine.
But it does not.
Stamping exists in a social milieu in which there are broad preferences (eg centering), narrow preferences (on cover only!), and commercial values (for what amount of money can a dealer resell that item).
Socially, I do not enjoy the fact that much of the hobby is led & dominated by Albumizing Completionistic Conditionistas, but I would do a disservice to any newbie or returnee if I did not introduce them to that fact, and what it meant for them.
I would not invite someone to a potluck social event in a community with dietary preferences and tell them that they are free to bring & eat anything they want; yes, its potluck, but some/most people like to fit in some/most of the time, so why set them up?
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey (who once made the dinner salad for a group with a rule against fresh onions)
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Larsdog - great discussion and great comments! You're absolutely right - we can be on completely opposite sides of the coin in how we organize and present our collections and still be on the same page when it comes to enthusiasm for the hobby. There is a lot of room for variation and individual tastes. There is NO "right" way. Well, no I take that back. The "right" way is YOUR way - whatever makes YOU happy! And that's what it's all about - having fun. Ain't that great?
Also - it occurs to me that the difference in the way we collect might be linked to the way we mount our collection. If I used album pages, mounts and such, I probably would put a good copy on the page and be done with it. But I use Hagnar sheets. I slip new copies on the page with the old ones then go back and "prune" deciding which copies to keep and which to trade or sell or toss in the bin if they are really nasty.
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"Can someone please define "Spacefiller" for me please?"
First you need to separate the noun from the adjective.
NOUN:
In my opinion, a "space filler" is anything you place in your album with the intention of replacing it later. Where this gets murky is when you are talking about real stamps. I have several US Officials that I have no intention of replacing, so they aren't space fillers for me, but anyone serious about US Officials would likely consider half of them to be space fillers in their collection. (See ADJECTIVE definition).
Some examples of space fillers would be:
1. A used stamp in an otherwise mint collection.
2. A mint stamp in an otherwise used collection.
3. A stamp postmarked "Dallas" in a collection of "Fort Worth" cancels
4. A mint-no-gum stamp when your minimal standards are mint-hinged
5. Faults in excess of what you define as acceptable
6. Proofs - in some cases (e.g. US Official stamps O68-O71) the proofs cost less than 1% of the real thing, and the impression is clearer. You read that right. It's not unusual to find proofs of O69 and O70 for $10 when the CV for the real thing is over $2000 each.
7. Facsimiles - Facsimiles are properly marked reproductions that could not be confused with the real thing. There is a full set of Newspaper facsimiles available that I used when building my US Newspaper section. I bought the color facsimiles and mounted them in my album, replacing them as I obtained the real thing. That provided a quick and easy visual reference for what I still needed to look for. When I was done I sold the set for what I paid for it.
8. Fakes - Fakes are generally intended to deceive, so it's best not to use fakes. Trimming perfs from a 3rd Bureau sheet issue to fake a coil is very common.
ADJECTIVE:
Used as an adjective, "space filler quality" typically refers to genuine stamps with significant faults. It doesn't mean they have to be space fillers in YOUR collection. My US Officials pages are filled with "space filler quality" stamps the aren't "space fillers" for me since I don't intend to replace them. I also have a few "space filler quality" Columbus issue stamps that I intend to upgrade some day.
==========================================================
ikeyPikey: Philately doesn't have to exist in a vacuum for me to make my own rules about what I include in my albums and the minimal quality I personally find acceptable. Obviously I use external inputs to decide what to include and exclude, and I am at the mercy of external criteria for establishing value, but the bottom line is that I make the rules for my collection.
Lars
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"... Obviously I use external inputs to decide what to include and exclude, and I am at the mercy of external criteria for establishing value, but the bottom line is that I make the rules for my collection ..."
It is not a question of using "It's YOUR collection, make your OWN rules!" as your own bottom line, but in recommending this to a newbie as their new top line.
Newbies have goals. While preserving their autonomy might be one of them, most of them will be curious (and deserve, and ought to get some hints) about prevailing values, practices, and fashions.
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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This discussion (and see the other rather similar thread on CTOs) highlights a noticeable difficulty with consensus that stamp-collecting may share with other hobbies. In today's cultural climate this consensus seems to be Do Your Own Thing; Collect What You Like, How You Like.
There is a spectrum here: at one end, "I don't give two hoots what you or anyone else thinks about my collection, I do what I dam' well like!" At the other, "Isn't it wonderful that there are so many ways to go about the hobby, and that we can all agree to differ with everyone else!" These views (condensed and paraphrased from posts above this) are still two sides of the same coin.
It was not always so. When I started with stamps as a child back in the 1950s there was obviously a right way and a wrong way to collect stamps, which we learned either from the schoolmaster who started the stamp club, or from books by the likes of LN and M Williams. Do not allow a torn stamp in your collection! Do not affix mint stamps into your album by licking and sticking! Watch out for fakes and forgeries (a strange fascination which surely would have barely affected schoolboy collectors). Revere Stanley Gibbons (if you were British, obviously), the source of all wisdom.
Soon after I joined Stamporama I attempted to glean some idea of how members managed topical collections. I was aware that certain rules applied to certain philatelic exhibitions, and would have liked to know who set those rules and more importantly why. I also wanted to find out what self-imposed rules SOR members set themselves.
It was a frustrating exercise. The topical "Do Your Own thing" consensus prevailed, as you would expect these days, but was not exactly helpful when seeking guidance as to how my own thing compared to others', or what I might do to develop and better my own thing, or even whether anyone thought my own thing was interesting, instructional, or worthwhile. Recently I asked one member, in a thread about his own topical collection, what parameters he set himself. The questions went unacknowledged.
This would not matter very much if it were just me being inquisitive. However, as one or two people above have noted, there may well be people here just embarking on, or just returning to the hobby who would surely appreciate some guidance, information or advice on how others proceed, which they could then apply to their own practice. This would be a lot more useful than having us simply tell them to Do Their Own Thing.
So, I heartily endorse Ikey's view above. Larsdog's list of examples of spacefillers should be helpful to those who have yet to make up their minds on that subject. But I have my own views about the presentation and rationale behind some material posted on these boards which I would offer as a salutary example to newbies of How Not To Do It. (Or, the Williamses would have disapproved!)
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Doesn't it all come down to one thing...money? If you can afford to keep up with the latest catalogs, buy the best mounts and pay for the finest examples of the stamps you want, then your standards are going to be somewhat higher then many or most other collectors.
But money shouldn't stop anyone from collecting stamps, nor should they face belittlement for not meeting the standards of anyone else. Whether it's used or CTO'd stamps, hinged on plain notebook paper or professionally mounted, MNH early issues from every country, the person assembling the collection has a right to a level of respect for their efforts.
We all strive to be, do and have better, it's part of the human condition. But to expect every collector to live up to the rules or standards of any other collector isn't realistic and could only serve to ward off anyone wanting to get into the hobby.
Don't judge...encourage,
WB
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I find this interesting, and maddening.
First, I must absolutely side with Lars that his collection is his own and defined by his rules that match, or don't, all or some others' rules. There are NO absolutes in one's own collection.
Have you seen how he approaches things: in a completely Larslike fashion, which makes each page a surprise and a treat and, often, a revelation. I wouldn't, mostly becuase I couldn't, replicate it in a quizillion years, but I value it highly, and the more he might strive to meet others' definitions, the more likely it is to deteriorate as his own.
I used to teach ESL to ex-Soviet immigrants. Many (meaning a high percentage) were collectors, and some managed to bring parts of their collections with them. What I noticed about most of them was the poor quality of the stamps and the pride with which they showed off their stamps to me, knowing I was a collector. This is not meant as judgemental, but observational. But this brings me to a corrollary: that various countries and regions have their own ideas about the worthiness of a stamp. Western Europeans tend to prefer perfectly centered, SON used stamps; Americans tend to like MNH; someone mentioned the higher appreciation for CTOs outside the states; etc. You can even see this in the way postmasters treat the material that crosses their desks: Europeans are more likely to create a SON strike while Americans are more intersted in eliminating the franking power any which way. Of course, none of this is absolutes, and all are flanked by exceptions.
But I want to stress that there are NO aboulte rules; there are conventions, and there are consequences, which change as the geography changes. Lars' collection might have less dealers angling for it when he surrenders it, but those that give it a second look are likely to inhale more deeply and might mention it at the dinner table.
And, I'll end noting that there's likely 2 or 3 people at SOR who would give the centerpieces of my collection a second look, and everything that's important about it in my eyes are likely to be things that detract from resale in another's.
For a group that can't agree on nomenclature, how would we expect to be unified in applying those conventions to our collections. But I think we stress, as Ian and Michael do, that we educate the youngins about what's possible, and explain the conventions, and then get to all those things that break the rules and make things interesting as fast as we can, because that's where the little spark we might strike could turn into a blazing passion.
so say I
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"Also - it occurs to me that the difference in the way we collect might be linked to the way we mount our collection. If I used album pages, mounts and such, I probably would put a good copy on the page and be done with it. But I use Hagnar sheets. I slip new copies on the page with the old ones then go back and "prune" deciding which copies to keep and which to trade or sell or toss in the bin if they are really nasty."
That's a really good point, Theresa. And that's why it's so hard to say what way is right or wrong. Often times the right way depends on HOW you collect!
Lars
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"I find this interesting, and maddening."
I'm sorry you find it maddening. I find it interesting and instructive. No hard feelings here and I sure hope nobody else has any. Certainly no offense intended.
Lars
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11:59:23pm
How about "maddeningly interesting?"
Or a "maddeningly interesting, instructive temporary space filler?"
In Deegam notation;
maddeningly
interesting,
instructive
temporary
space filler
A "MIITSF," ("Mits-eff") in Kelley's abbreviations list
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11:33:53am
I collect Netherlands stamps. nothing fancy yet (no syncopated perfs, etc). Just a nice'n'easy one of each up to 2000AD.
The gaps in my collection are now mostly the more expensive items (mostly the higher value guilder stamps). I'm on a budget and am never going to realistically fill these, so the option is space fillers or blanks.
Which leads me on to my question. If I pursue the spacefillers option, what % of Scott cat value could I expect to pay, and where would I source them. They don't seem to pop up on Ebay (or auctions/approvals) very often, the former of which has been a main source of commoner stamps.
Thanks
Peter
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Steal really nice scans of really nice stamps from auction sites, print them for 19c at your local drugstore, and fill that space!
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
My take on space fillers...
IF I own a stamp in poor condition or I get it in a lot I acquire, I would put it in my album until I get a decent one. I wouldn't actually buy space fillers.
I have been trolling eBay a lot lately and I see stamps missing whole pieces for sale. I don't think I could bring myself to pay money for those, no matter how rare.
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02:46:52pm
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Most of my higher cat value stamps have small faults. Pulled perfs, small creases or thins. They're more affordable that way. Not interested in stamps that have face scuffs, tears etc.
It all comes down to what your standards are and the depth of your pockets. Fresh, flawless stamps, especially the classics, come at a hefty premium. I can appreciate stamps like that I just can't afford them. But then again, maybe it makes more sense to buy one $500 perfect gem as opposed to 100 $5 stamps. Better investment in the long run.
Ernie
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03:19:20pm
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Thanks for the responses so far.
I don't think I want to add photocopied stamps (though each to their own).
And I'm not collecting as an investment, so resale value isn't important.
I'm just collecting for the joy of it (however unfashionable that might be!).
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Hello Phook..i am afraid if i go the GAP route...it will remain a gap forever..by now i pretty much know what is a collectible/acceptable copy for me. putting a Junker in the space would just diminish the whole page. Welcome..good questions always get a thread going !
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
I leave gaps. You might as well be honest about not having the stamp than try and hide the fact.
A collection is a 'work in progress'. There is always something to fill, collect or dream over. If you want a book of pictures, just buy the latest catalogue - much cheaper.
In any case, there is no shame in not having that $500 stamp in your collection. You are right in that you will probably never get it, but the dream that one day it will come your way is what collecting is all about.
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
IkeyPikey, not sure if you were completely non-serious!
"Steal really nice scans of really nice stamps from auction sites..."
That is exactly what I intend to do with some of the ultra-rare issues in my Scott National Album. Why would I want to spend thousands on a stamp that is a one-off and never saw general use? So, I plan to get an image and mark it somehow. For example like this:
I'll have to work on the sizing...
In any case, that is a future project, and I certainly will not spend $250,000 for US Scott #81 any time soon!-Steve
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
As far as the Netherlands are concerned: there are certain stamps that you will never get unless you are willing to spend money. Chances of finding them in "spacefiller quality" are small as well. Best option - in my opinion at least - is to approach it as going from level to level. Perhaps buy a collection at.a.certaun time in order to add some stamps you miss and try to sell what you already have in order to go to that "next level". Just be patient and realize that these 10 guilders coronation and jubilee will be out of reach.
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08:20:14pm
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
"If I pursue the space fillers option, what % of Scott cat value could I expect to pay"
First, it doesn't make much sense to buy space fillers for stamps that catalog less than $10.
If you decide to buy space fillers, then get one that is the best (least damaged) that you can find. Avoid those with chunks missing from them. Usual pricing for space fillers runs from 5% to 20% of catalog value. Note that almost all will fall in the 5% to 10% range. Only the really scarce stamps as space fillers can get above that 10% mark.
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
I took a different route.Since I custom made and printed my pages, I eliminated all the ones that I knew I would never own, so there are no gaps to fill. If I ever do magically acquire one of these elusive stamps, I can re-do that page and add it back in.
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:-)
You beat me to that suggestion! Printing your own pages has many benefits!
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01:38:07am
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
I once read a report by someone (who also happened to be a Netherlands collector) who, while travelling, arranged to meet with a couple of fellow collectors he had met through a club.
Collector A showed his collection and proudly pointed out the nice stamps he had.
Collector B showed his collection and miserably pointed out the holes in his collection.
One collector sees the doughnut, while another sees the hole. The first will be happier.
As a long time Netherlands collector, I accept that there will be stamps that I will never get, and holes that will never fill. But I can still dream of filling them. Fortunately, there are no $250,000 dollar stamps from the Netherlands.
I don't see the point in buying space fillers just to fill a hole, as my money is not space filler.
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"As a long time Netherlands collector, I accept that there will be stamps that I will never get, and holes that will never fill."
I have never had the disillusion of thinking I will completely finish my collection. To me the holes are the promise of good things to come. Once the album is full, the chase is over! And what fun is that?
"Collector A showed his collection and proudly pointed out the nice stamps he had.
Collector B showed his collection and miserably pointed out the holes in his collection.
One collector sees the doughnut, while another sees the hole. The first will be happier."
This also applies to model car builders. When viewing a nicely built model, I see all it's attributes and admire the workmanship.
But there are builders who feel compelled to point out all their mistakes as I view it. That completely ruins it. I never would have noticed the minor mistakes.
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
I don't actively pursue space fillers, but will add any that come my way. I'd rather look at a lesser example, then a blank space. It's easy enough to swap it out for a better stamp, should I find one.
WB
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02:13:05pm
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
For a general country or topical collection I don't include space fillers (i.e. Since I mainly collect used my collections would be only stamps with full perfs/light cancel/no other faults). I use vario pages, so the "gaps" aren't really apparent.
However, for a more specialized collection (for example Canadian Small Queens) I do include stamps with faults if they show a reentry, cancel, or something else of interest. Of course if a better copy does come along, I do replace them.
Eric
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
I also print my own pages so the number of blank spaces is minimized, but there are several that catalog at over $500. My standards for what I will accept vary and there are a few that are high priority to replace while others, in worse condition, I would not consider replacing. Just two examples would be:
US Columbus set: My $1 to $5 are used with varying faults. I would like to replace them with MNG with no major faults.
US Officials: Most of my 19th century officials are used and full of flaws, but those copies are readily available since damaged official stamps would be rather common by the time the cover reached its destination. Officials are an ancillary area for me. I wouldn't DREAM of putting crap like that in my Airmail album!
So it's all matter of personal preference. If you have discipline (I do not), leave that space empty until you get the right thing for that spot. If, like me, an empty space is like a splinter in your brain, get a space filler! For the US Official stamps O69 and O70 (CV $3500 and $2500 for MNG - the cheapest option) I used proofs as space fillers. If you watch the auctions you can snag them for as cheap as $10 each.
It's your collection. Make your own rules!
Lars
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
27 Mar 2016
10:48:15pm
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
It all boils down to a few simple concepts.
There are Collections and Collections,
spacefillers and spacefillers,
and even a few Space Collections.
What some may reject as not even a space filler,
might be just good enough to fill a space,
for someone else.
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Anglophile raises an important point: some day, someone may be quickly valuing your collection, and truly ratty space fillers may make too much of an impression.
OTOH, it is a little sad to maintain your albums (over decades!) with that point of time in mind ... though if you collect at that level, 'sound stamps only' is sound advice.
"... I don't see the point in buying space fillers just to fill a hole, as my money is not space filler ..."
Q/ So what else could you put in that space if you did not want to leave it empty?
How about money? What about cutting-up a low-denomination bill - from your country, or some other country - and putting a scrap in that space, just so you have something to look at? You would want something that would stand-out, so as to avoid Anglophile's issue; perhaps use a different mount? And you would get extra maxicard-type points if you used something topically related to the stamp that ain't there.
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
{Geostamper: I was entirely serious about the scans. Once upon a time, it occurred to me that I might like to put together a virtual album. It soon occurred to me that I'd sooner use other people's great scans of other people's great stamps, and that was my last thought about putting together a digital album.)
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06:25:31am
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post their thoughts!
I currently use stock books, so 'spaces' need not be evident. I think I shall keep it that way for now, and maybe keep a half-open eye in case anything comes along.
I'm a young man (in my 50s), so I'm not too bothered (yet) about the approach of the grim reaper. I'm not sure a dealer will be interested in picking over my modest collection anyway. (Will there be any dealers in c30 years time?)
When I shuffle off, I'm hoping that my currently dis-interested daughter will take pity on it and house it.
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08:54:26pm
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Spacefillers don't have to be ugly. I collect what I like. In early US I love well centered msrgin (SE) copies. Many early stamps from Brazil have numerous natural perf faults but incredible fancy colored cancels. I care a lot more about a stamps visual appeal than the fact it may have a bent perf, pressed crease, or other fault that can only be seen after a close inspection.
Make a list of 20 or 30 stamps you'd like to have some day and search ebay every two or three days - you may be surprised what shows up. Pay 5 to 10 per cent of catalog - therefore if you want to pay $10 tops your list should comprise mostly stamps in the $100 to $200 catalog range.
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"Make a list of 20 or 30 stamps you'd like to have some day and search ebay every two or three days"
You don't have to do that. You can set 20 to 30 searches that will automatically email you when there is a new listing for anything in your search list. I think you still have to check once or twice per month for new store listings, but the automated auction notices are quite handy.
Lars
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Hi Lars,
How is that done?
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
When you do an ebay search, look at the line that tells you the number of results returned in your search (here, 26). To the right of that is a green + and the text "Follow this search." Click on that to get e-mail alerts for new listings of that item.
Ted
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Thanks Ted!
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I am one of those that do not pay for space fillers but put them in my albums as found in lots & collections. The only reservation I obtained from the above thread is the concept of a dealer devaluating my collection for their presence.
I have a fellow collector who puts space savers, or any not perfect stamps , in her albums upside down and/or sideways. This allows her to clearly ID those in need of replacement or an upgrade, and would probably be a definite sign for any dealer evaluating the collection.
I remember an article I read years ago on the value of damaged stamps as references and controls even if you have to put them aside. I do keep many of these in my specialty areas for review. In that vein I also keep a forgeries and reprints binder.
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
I enjoy flyspecking certain issues such as Irish overprints and the first Irish definitive issue. Multiple spacefillers of certain varieties can be very useful as reference material for study.
For my "one of a kind" collections, I do have some space fillers, but I put a little slip of paper with the catalog number next to the stamp to let me know to add that number to my wantlist. Having the faulty ones clearly labelled implies to anyone looking at my collection that the other copies are not damaged. I sure don't want to give the impression that I welcome poor quality. I don't know why, but I am always trying to find better copies all of the time. It isn't enough to fill that empty space, I want to find the nicest lightly cancelled, undamaged copy with no short perfs, pencils, thins etc. that I can afford. I suppose it is a stamp collector quirk and I wonder why is that so important to us? Is it fussiness? Pride? I don't know, but I do know that finding a better copy is almost as satisfying as filling an empty space.
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Theresa,
I doubt it would be possible to find such polar opposites:
"I enjoy flyspecking"
Hate it so much I buy plate blocks to rip out plate singles and buy partial plate booklets as needed so I don't have to identify boring Type Varieties.
"I sure don't want to give the impression that I welcome poor quality."
I don't give a rat's fat behind what anyone thinks of the quality that I find acceptable.
"I don't know why, but I am always trying to find better copies all of the time."
Typically, when I fill a space I'm done. Occasionally I will look through an album and notice a particular stamp that stands out as inferior to its surroundings and replace it.
"I suppose it is a stamp collector quirk and I wonder why is that so important to us?"
I contend that we all have our quirks regarding collecting, but finding a pristine copy is not universal. I would rather have a poorly centered, hinged booklet pane with a thin and one or maybe (gasp) two separated perfs, plus a light crease (saints preserve us), than a perfectly pristine and centered MNH copy of a US Second Bureau Type II 2c booklet pane - as long as the plate number is on the inferior pane. We all have our priorities, I suppose.
"I do know that finding a better copy is almost as satisfying as filling an empty space "
Not even close.
========================
I'm pointing out our differences because Theresa is one of the folks on here that I agree with almost all the time, and how odd that our collecting criteria would be polar opposites. We can agree to help others learn, and learn more ourselves. We can agree to be civil in our discourse, even if others don't hold up their end of the bargain. We can agree to be honest in our transactions with others.
But we don't have to agree on the proper way to manage a collection. That's the way it should be. Every stamp album should be emblazoned with the words: "It's YOUR collection, make your OWN rules!"
Lars
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Can someone please define "Spacefiller" for me please?
I thought a spacefiller was a drawing or photocopy (some non-stamp thing), but some of the comments here seem to indicate that a space filler could also be a torn or not to spec stamp also.
I have some stamps in my collection that are not what you would call up to standard, but these are stamps I would never have otherwise. Common stamps, however, I would leave an empty space for. Mind you, some stamps have more meaning than their catalogue value e.g. a stamp someone gave you or the first stamp you bought with your pocket money etc.
I am very happy with my collection. It is all mine! As commented above, I make the rules for it.
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03:07:30am
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
A space filler in my understanding is a damaged stamp, typically of one that has a high catalogue value when in fine condition.
However, my stamp dictionary states "A low priced stamp to fill a space in a printed album. Mainly before 1900, many forgeries were made as space fillers."
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
"Can someone please define "Spacefiller" for me please?"
I imagine everyone has their own definition, to suit their collecting goals. For me, my 2 main criteria are centering (doesn't have to be perfect, but it does have to be pleasing to MY eye), and color (again, it doesn't have to be perfect, i.e. rich/vivid/post-office-fresh, but I don't want faded washed-out colors, either).
If a stamp passes my eye test in these 2 areas, I can overlook a certain amount of other faults (short perfs, writing on back, hinge remnant, etc). If not, I will do one of two things: If it is a cheap stamp, I will set it aside to await further disposition (sell it or trash it); (now, finally, comes the answer to your question
) if it is an expensive stamp, or one that is a challenge to find in the required condition, I will mount it in my album to fill the space until I obtain a keeper.Ted
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
A few thoughts on eBay searches. I have a bunch of them that send me emails nearly every day. Sometimes they will send the same item over and over, and as luck has it, it's usually some overpriced thing you'd never consider!
You do want to make your search terms as simple as possible to find as many of the item as it can. In the example above the search was United States C18, so that would only find auctions for C18 that the seller included the words United or States. You'd be much better going to the United States category and just searching for C18. That will find all the results in the target category.
Here's a few things that will help you create a meaningful search. You can also enter this onto the eBay search line for immediate searches as well...
United States will give you any auction with both these words in any order
"United States" will only give you the specific phrase United States.
-United States will give you any auction that doesn't include either of the words
-"United States" will give you any auction without the complete phrase
(united,states) will give you any auction that has either of the words
One of my searches in United States covers is (nj,"n.j.",jersey) -trenton -camden -newark. This gives me all the covers for New Jersey except the listed towns. I've used three ways to identify the state, NJ, the phrase N.J. and just jersey because it's simpler and will give me the same results as "New Jersey".
I also will include common misspellings. In fact one of my model car searches for old Plymouth Valiant models is (valiant,valent,valient) so it finds those misspellings.
So here's some basics, there are more but this should get you going! Hope this helps
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
All the stamps in my albums are space fillers, there's not a single one that I wouldn't swap out for a "better" example.
WB
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
"... "It's YOUR collection, make your OWN rules!" ..."
Which, if stamping existed in a vacuum, would be fine.
But it does not.
Stamping exists in a social milieu in which there are broad preferences (eg centering), narrow preferences (on cover only!), and commercial values (for what amount of money can a dealer resell that item).
Socially, I do not enjoy the fact that much of the hobby is led & dominated by Albumizing Completionistic Conditionistas, but I would do a disservice to any newbie or returnee if I did not introduce them to that fact, and what it meant for them.
I would not invite someone to a potluck social event in a community with dietary preferences and tell them that they are free to bring & eat anything they want; yes, its potluck, but some/most people like to fit in some/most of the time, so why set them up?
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey (who once made the dinner salad for a group with a rule against fresh onions)
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Larsdog - great discussion and great comments! You're absolutely right - we can be on completely opposite sides of the coin in how we organize and present our collections and still be on the same page when it comes to enthusiasm for the hobby. There is a lot of room for variation and individual tastes. There is NO "right" way. Well, no I take that back. The "right" way is YOUR way - whatever makes YOU happy! And that's what it's all about - having fun. Ain't that great?
Also - it occurs to me that the difference in the way we collect might be linked to the way we mount our collection. If I used album pages, mounts and such, I probably would put a good copy on the page and be done with it. But I use Hagnar sheets. I slip new copies on the page with the old ones then go back and "prune" deciding which copies to keep and which to trade or sell or toss in the bin if they are really nasty.
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"Can someone please define "Spacefiller" for me please?"
First you need to separate the noun from the adjective.
NOUN:
In my opinion, a "space filler" is anything you place in your album with the intention of replacing it later. Where this gets murky is when you are talking about real stamps. I have several US Officials that I have no intention of replacing, so they aren't space fillers for me, but anyone serious about US Officials would likely consider half of them to be space fillers in their collection. (See ADJECTIVE definition).
Some examples of space fillers would be:
1. A used stamp in an otherwise mint collection.
2. A mint stamp in an otherwise used collection.
3. A stamp postmarked "Dallas" in a collection of "Fort Worth" cancels
4. A mint-no-gum stamp when your minimal standards are mint-hinged
5. Faults in excess of what you define as acceptable
6. Proofs - in some cases (e.g. US Official stamps O68-O71) the proofs cost less than 1% of the real thing, and the impression is clearer. You read that right. It's not unusual to find proofs of O69 and O70 for $10 when the CV for the real thing is over $2000 each.
7. Facsimiles - Facsimiles are properly marked reproductions that could not be confused with the real thing. There is a full set of Newspaper facsimiles available that I used when building my US Newspaper section. I bought the color facsimiles and mounted them in my album, replacing them as I obtained the real thing. That provided a quick and easy visual reference for what I still needed to look for. When I was done I sold the set for what I paid for it.
8. Fakes - Fakes are generally intended to deceive, so it's best not to use fakes. Trimming perfs from a 3rd Bureau sheet issue to fake a coil is very common.
ADJECTIVE:
Used as an adjective, "space filler quality" typically refers to genuine stamps with significant faults. It doesn't mean they have to be space fillers in YOUR collection. My US Officials pages are filled with "space filler quality" stamps the aren't "space fillers" for me since I don't intend to replace them. I also have a few "space filler quality" Columbus issue stamps that I intend to upgrade some day.
==========================================================
ikeyPikey: Philately doesn't have to exist in a vacuum for me to make my own rules about what I include in my albums and the minimal quality I personally find acceptable. Obviously I use external inputs to decide what to include and exclude, and I am at the mercy of external criteria for establishing value, but the bottom line is that I make the rules for my collection.
Lars
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"... Obviously I use external inputs to decide what to include and exclude, and I am at the mercy of external criteria for establishing value, but the bottom line is that I make the rules for my collection ..."
It is not a question of using "It's YOUR collection, make your OWN rules!" as your own bottom line, but in recommending this to a newbie as their new top line.
Newbies have goals. While preserving their autonomy might be one of them, most of them will be curious (and deserve, and ought to get some hints) about prevailing values, practices, and fashions.
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
This discussion (and see the other rather similar thread on CTOs) highlights a noticeable difficulty with consensus that stamp-collecting may share with other hobbies. In today's cultural climate this consensus seems to be Do Your Own Thing; Collect What You Like, How You Like.
There is a spectrum here: at one end, "I don't give two hoots what you or anyone else thinks about my collection, I do what I dam' well like!" At the other, "Isn't it wonderful that there are so many ways to go about the hobby, and that we can all agree to differ with everyone else!" These views (condensed and paraphrased from posts above this) are still two sides of the same coin.
It was not always so. When I started with stamps as a child back in the 1950s there was obviously a right way and a wrong way to collect stamps, which we learned either from the schoolmaster who started the stamp club, or from books by the likes of LN and M Williams. Do not allow a torn stamp in your collection! Do not affix mint stamps into your album by licking and sticking! Watch out for fakes and forgeries (a strange fascination which surely would have barely affected schoolboy collectors). Revere Stanley Gibbons (if you were British, obviously), the source of all wisdom.
Soon after I joined Stamporama I attempted to glean some idea of how members managed topical collections. I was aware that certain rules applied to certain philatelic exhibitions, and would have liked to know who set those rules and more importantly why. I also wanted to find out what self-imposed rules SOR members set themselves.
It was a frustrating exercise. The topical "Do Your Own thing" consensus prevailed, as you would expect these days, but was not exactly helpful when seeking guidance as to how my own thing compared to others', or what I might do to develop and better my own thing, or even whether anyone thought my own thing was interesting, instructional, or worthwhile. Recently I asked one member, in a thread about his own topical collection, what parameters he set himself. The questions went unacknowledged.
This would not matter very much if it were just me being inquisitive. However, as one or two people above have noted, there may well be people here just embarking on, or just returning to the hobby who would surely appreciate some guidance, information or advice on how others proceed, which they could then apply to their own practice. This would be a lot more useful than having us simply tell them to Do Their Own Thing.
So, I heartily endorse Ikey's view above. Larsdog's list of examples of spacefillers should be helpful to those who have yet to make up their minds on that subject. But I have my own views about the presentation and rationale behind some material posted on these boards which I would offer as a salutary example to newbies of How Not To Do It. (Or, the Williamses would have disapproved!)
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
Doesn't it all come down to one thing...money? If you can afford to keep up with the latest catalogs, buy the best mounts and pay for the finest examples of the stamps you want, then your standards are going to be somewhat higher then many or most other collectors.
But money shouldn't stop anyone from collecting stamps, nor should they face belittlement for not meeting the standards of anyone else. Whether it's used or CTO'd stamps, hinged on plain notebook paper or professionally mounted, MNH early issues from every country, the person assembling the collection has a right to a level of respect for their efforts.
We all strive to be, do and have better, it's part of the human condition. But to expect every collector to live up to the rules or standards of any other collector isn't realistic and could only serve to ward off anyone wanting to get into the hobby.
Don't judge...encourage,
WB
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
I find this interesting, and maddening.
First, I must absolutely side with Lars that his collection is his own and defined by his rules that match, or don't, all or some others' rules. There are NO absolutes in one's own collection.
Have you seen how he approaches things: in a completely Larslike fashion, which makes each page a surprise and a treat and, often, a revelation. I wouldn't, mostly becuase I couldn't, replicate it in a quizillion years, but I value it highly, and the more he might strive to meet others' definitions, the more likely it is to deteriorate as his own.
I used to teach ESL to ex-Soviet immigrants. Many (meaning a high percentage) were collectors, and some managed to bring parts of their collections with them. What I noticed about most of them was the poor quality of the stamps and the pride with which they showed off their stamps to me, knowing I was a collector. This is not meant as judgemental, but observational. But this brings me to a corrollary: that various countries and regions have their own ideas about the worthiness of a stamp. Western Europeans tend to prefer perfectly centered, SON used stamps; Americans tend to like MNH; someone mentioned the higher appreciation for CTOs outside the states; etc. You can even see this in the way postmasters treat the material that crosses their desks: Europeans are more likely to create a SON strike while Americans are more intersted in eliminating the franking power any which way. Of course, none of this is absolutes, and all are flanked by exceptions.
But I want to stress that there are NO aboulte rules; there are conventions, and there are consequences, which change as the geography changes. Lars' collection might have less dealers angling for it when he surrenders it, but those that give it a second look are likely to inhale more deeply and might mention it at the dinner table.
And, I'll end noting that there's likely 2 or 3 people at SOR who would give the centerpieces of my collection a second look, and everything that's important about it in my eyes are likely to be things that detract from resale in another's.
For a group that can't agree on nomenclature, how would we expect to be unified in applying those conventions to our collections. But I think we stress, as Ian and Michael do, that we educate the youngins about what's possible, and explain the conventions, and then get to all those things that break the rules and make things interesting as fast as we can, because that's where the little spark we might strike could turn into a blazing passion.
so say I
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
"Also - it occurs to me that the difference in the way we collect might be linked to the way we mount our collection. If I used album pages, mounts and such, I probably would put a good copy on the page and be done with it. But I use Hagnar sheets. I slip new copies on the page with the old ones then go back and "prune" deciding which copies to keep and which to trade or sell or toss in the bin if they are really nasty."
That's a really good point, Theresa. And that's why it's so hard to say what way is right or wrong. Often times the right way depends on HOW you collect!
Lars
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re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
"I find this interesting, and maddening."
I'm sorry you find it maddening. I find it interesting and instructive. No hard feelings here and I sure hope nobody else has any. Certainly no offense intended.
Lars
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
31 Mar 2016
11:59:23pm
re: Spacefillers...or leave gaps
How about "maddeningly interesting?"
Or a "maddeningly interesting, instructive temporary space filler?"
In Deegam notation;
maddeningly
interesting,
instructive
temporary
space filler
A "MIITSF," ("Mits-eff") in Kelley's abbreviations list
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