Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
06:29:25pm
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Yes, Harvey, I agree with you. I collect mainly used, and I do try to remove remnants by rubbing with the tweezers and tentatively pulling. But if it don't seem to want to budge, I leave it well alone.
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I collect used and have always removed hinge remainders and other attachmentss especially on the items I am currently buying. I use a small brush and a dab of water. I have fund numerous damaged areas under the remainders, including repairs. I feel it is best to get the materials off the stamps. I am constantly ging through areas where I was not as meticulous in my earlier days and upgrading & cleaning copies.
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Mint no gum should sell at premium if there was any logic to our hobby.
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If you collect used, I'd recommend a quick soak to get rid of ugly hinge remnants. That will also remove years of gunk from the front.
I successfully removed FIVE hinges from the back of a mint stamp a few days ago. Patience, a strong magnifier and a steady hand is all you need 
As for mint no gum, they are the bane of my life. Can't abide them
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I only collect used stamps, unused ones with or without hinge or gum are my bane in general. Anyway, congratulations to Dave for his steady hands!
My 2 cents worth: If the hinge remnants bother you, check whether the printing ink may be sensitive to water. If not, soak the stamp. If yes, perhaps try moistening it from the back to get the hinge off. That way you won't create thins. Tearing or picking it off isn't something I'd recommend. Too much potential of damage.
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Harvey,
I agree with you completely. I am fond of the characterization of stamp collecting as collecting "miniature works of art". I don't care about the back of the canvas; it faces the wall.
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Mint no gum to me is a used un-cancelled stamp. There's no two ways about it in my mind!
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10:58:54am
In the early days of stamp collecting many (some?) collectors used to soak the gum off stamps to protect the stamps. To me, a mint stamp with no gum is exactly that, a mint stamp with no gum. Pete, you're entitled to collect in which ever way you want. It's just not my way. I mean no offence, just giving my opinion.
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BrightonPete:
"Mint no gum to me is a used un-cancelled stamp. There's no two ways about it in my mind!"
So is a CTO stamp an unused cancelled stamp?
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06:58:56pm
... So is a CTO stamp an unused cancelled stamp?Thinking ...
No, most are simply Jam Jar Labels that have lost their grip.
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Then what about stamps soaked off FDCs which never went through the post except possibly as passengers in another envelope? They are the best looking used stamps for many countries. Sometimes as a hobby we can be too precious. The only real reason to have gum on the back of older mint stamps is to protect investment value.
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In the end, it really does not matter what something is until you want to sell it to someone who thinks it does matter.
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06:52:27am
" ... In the end, it really does not matter what
something is until you want to sell it to someone
who thinks it does matter. ..."
Yes, but I will either no longer be here t care
or semi-comatose in some Palliative Hospice terminal
care unit awaiting final relief.
For my heirs, who have not a farthing invested, any
price is a profit, perhaps inspiring them to save an
album or two for their grandchildren's entertainment
and better yet, education.
Imagine the interest actually having a collection of
postage stamps from some gigantic radio-active sinkhole
somewhere.
11:58:20PM
Has any country issued a stamp showing the clock ?
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I agree with Charlie, I don't really care what happen to my stamp collection after I die. It's my hobby and I spent my money on it. I have no direct heirs, so as I get older I will probably sell off part of the collection/give it away to someone who appreciates it. The rest will probably end up with one of those "estate buyers" who will come in and clear out the house. Not a single person in my family on both sides is remotely interested in stamp collecting. If that changes, I would pass it down but otherwise it will probably end up on ebay someday. They can bemoan the hinge remnants/thins 
Jackie
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Interesting discussion about what happens to our stamp collections when we are gone. It seems sad that many may end up in someone's basement storage (kept because they were "Uncle Herman's" but not appreciated), tossed in the recycle bin (or God-forbid, the regular trash), sold to a dealer in bulk for a mere fraction of their catalogue/market values (pick your imprecise poison), or even worse. We've all seen variations on that theme.
I was wondering whether there was some way that these orphaned collections could be offered to fellow SOR members first. For example, could I instruct my executor to put pictures and descriptions of my collection into the "I Have For Sale" section (under my member name) and answer questions- to the best of their ability (which may be limited). Then, if an acceptable offer is received, we'd have two happy parties! I would imagine in most (all?) cases this might be subject to the buyer showing up at the deceased's home with a U-Haul truck as shipping would be complicated and expensive.
I was thinking of this recently when a semi-retired dealer I met a couple years ago (not a member of Stamporama) brought up an idea. He continues to sell here and there to long-time customers but no longer buys stock. He has tried to sell his "business" as a whole but with nothing positive appearing. His daughter is disabled and has no interest in stamps. So... he asked if I would consider the following: I would clean out the stamps/supplies from his house after his death; sell them through SOR or any other venue that would be reasonable; keep 1/3 of the money for The Holocaust Stamps Project, send 1/3 to his daughter, and donate 1/3 to his church. After 2 years, if anything remained I would give his daughter 100% of whatever I deem to be a reasonable value. Obviously a high trust circumstance, and also (not that I would overly complain) a lot of work for me.
We're not at the stage of formalizing anything on paper, but it did open up to me the possibility that there are some creative solutions out there for people who wonder "what will happen to my orphaned stamp collection when I'm gone and my house hasn't burned down, fuelled by all those tiny bits of paper"?
Personally, I have created a codicil for my wife to contact certain SOR members (who have been loyal purchasers/contributors to the project) and "send all my Germany+ to ---, my Latin America to ---, my Australia/New Zealand to ---, my Canada to ---, my US to ---, my topicals to ---, etc etc etc; with the remainder being sent to our local stamp auction house". This is, of course, subject to the parties named agreeing they want these stamps, and paying for any shipping costs in advance. My stamps will constitute about 1% or less of my estate value, so I think my wife and daughters will be fine with that.
Just thinking...Dave.
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02:09:59pm
Wait a minute, I don't see my name there. Harumph !
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A few years ago a fellow member of my model car club dragged into our meeting room, three large black garbage bags. This was his father in law's stamp collection. His wife was cleaning out her parents home after her mother's death, and was throwing everything into the trash! He saved the bags because he knew I was a stamp collector and didn't want to see it all hit the landfill.
The collection was more of a hoard than an organized collection, but it was saved and I spend many hours sorting and having fun. And most important it's not in the landfill! And I got it for free because I let everyone in my other hobbies know I was a stamp collector!
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This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
05 Oct 2021
06:29:25pm
I read most of the comments and have come to a conclusion about myself. I must be strange - I seem to be the only person who doesn't seem to get upset about hinge remnants. I don't see them as damage since they are on the backs of the stamps. I'd much rather see a hinge remnant than a thin area because someone carelessly removed a hinge remnant. After all we mount stamps so we can see the front of the stamps, not the back! Is there anyone out there that feels the same as I do?
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re: I must be the odd one out!
Yes, Harvey, I agree with you. I collect mainly used, and I do try to remove remnants by rubbing with the tweezers and tentatively pulling. But if it don't seem to want to budge, I leave it well alone.
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re: I must be the odd one out!
I collect used and have always removed hinge remainders and other attachmentss especially on the items I am currently buying. I use a small brush and a dab of water. I have fund numerous damaged areas under the remainders, including repairs. I feel it is best to get the materials off the stamps. I am constantly ging through areas where I was not as meticulous in my earlier days and upgrading & cleaning copies.
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re: I must be the odd one out!
Mint no gum should sell at premium if there was any logic to our hobby.
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re: I must be the odd one out!
If you collect used, I'd recommend a quick soak to get rid of ugly hinge remnants. That will also remove years of gunk from the front.
I successfully removed FIVE hinges from the back of a mint stamp a few days ago. Patience, a strong magnifier and a steady hand is all you need
As for mint no gum, they are the bane of my life. Can't abide them
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re: I must be the odd one out!
I only collect used stamps, unused ones with or without hinge or gum are my bane in general. Anyway, congratulations to Dave for his steady hands!
My 2 cents worth: If the hinge remnants bother you, check whether the printing ink may be sensitive to water. If not, soak the stamp. If yes, perhaps try moistening it from the back to get the hinge off. That way you won't create thins. Tearing or picking it off isn't something I'd recommend. Too much potential of damage.
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re: I must be the odd one out!
Harvey,
I agree with you completely. I am fond of the characterization of stamp collecting as collecting "miniature works of art". I don't care about the back of the canvas; it faces the wall.
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re: I must be the odd one out!
Mint no gum to me is a used un-cancelled stamp. There's no two ways about it in my mind!
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This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
09 Oct 2021
10:58:54am
re: I must be the odd one out!
In the early days of stamp collecting many (some?) collectors used to soak the gum off stamps to protect the stamps. To me, a mint stamp with no gum is exactly that, a mint stamp with no gum. Pete, you're entitled to collect in which ever way you want. It's just not my way. I mean no offence, just giving my opinion.
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re: I must be the odd one out!
BrightonPete:
"Mint no gum to me is a used un-cancelled stamp. There's no two ways about it in my mind!"
So is a CTO stamp an unused cancelled stamp?
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
09 Oct 2021
06:58:56pm
re: I must be the odd one out!
... So is a CTO stamp an unused cancelled stamp?Thinking ...
No, most are simply Jam Jar Labels that have lost their grip.
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re: I must be the odd one out!
Then what about stamps soaked off FDCs which never went through the post except possibly as passengers in another envelope? They are the best looking used stamps for many countries. Sometimes as a hobby we can be too precious. The only real reason to have gum on the back of older mint stamps is to protect investment value.
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re: I must be the odd one out!
In the end, it really does not matter what something is until you want to sell it to someone who thinks it does matter.
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Login to Like.
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
10 Oct 2021
06:52:27am
re: I must be the odd one out!
" ... In the end, it really does not matter what
something is until you want to sell it to someone
who thinks it does matter. ..."
Yes, but I will either no longer be here t care
or semi-comatose in some Palliative Hospice terminal
care unit awaiting final relief.
For my heirs, who have not a farthing invested, any
price is a profit, perhaps inspiring them to save an
album or two for their grandchildren's entertainment
and better yet, education.
Imagine the interest actually having a collection of
postage stamps from some gigantic radio-active sinkhole
somewhere.
11:58:20PM
Has any country issued a stamp showing the clock ?
Login to Like
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08:34:27am
re: I must be the odd one out!
I agree with Charlie, I don't really care what happen to my stamp collection after I die. It's my hobby and I spent my money on it. I have no direct heirs, so as I get older I will probably sell off part of the collection/give it away to someone who appreciates it. The rest will probably end up with one of those "estate buyers" who will come in and clear out the house. Not a single person in my family on both sides is remotely interested in stamp collecting. If that changes, I would pass it down but otherwise it will probably end up on ebay someday. They can bemoan the hinge remnants/thins
Jackie
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01:27:08pm
re: I must be the odd one out!
Interesting discussion about what happens to our stamp collections when we are gone. It seems sad that many may end up in someone's basement storage (kept because they were "Uncle Herman's" but not appreciated), tossed in the recycle bin (or God-forbid, the regular trash), sold to a dealer in bulk for a mere fraction of their catalogue/market values (pick your imprecise poison), or even worse. We've all seen variations on that theme.
I was wondering whether there was some way that these orphaned collections could be offered to fellow SOR members first. For example, could I instruct my executor to put pictures and descriptions of my collection into the "I Have For Sale" section (under my member name) and answer questions- to the best of their ability (which may be limited). Then, if an acceptable offer is received, we'd have two happy parties! I would imagine in most (all?) cases this might be subject to the buyer showing up at the deceased's home with a U-Haul truck as shipping would be complicated and expensive.
I was thinking of this recently when a semi-retired dealer I met a couple years ago (not a member of Stamporama) brought up an idea. He continues to sell here and there to long-time customers but no longer buys stock. He has tried to sell his "business" as a whole but with nothing positive appearing. His daughter is disabled and has no interest in stamps. So... he asked if I would consider the following: I would clean out the stamps/supplies from his house after his death; sell them through SOR or any other venue that would be reasonable; keep 1/3 of the money for The Holocaust Stamps Project, send 1/3 to his daughter, and donate 1/3 to his church. After 2 years, if anything remained I would give his daughter 100% of whatever I deem to be a reasonable value. Obviously a high trust circumstance, and also (not that I would overly complain) a lot of work for me.
We're not at the stage of formalizing anything on paper, but it did open up to me the possibility that there are some creative solutions out there for people who wonder "what will happen to my orphaned stamp collection when I'm gone and my house hasn't burned down, fuelled by all those tiny bits of paper"?
Personally, I have created a codicil for my wife to contact certain SOR members (who have been loyal purchasers/contributors to the project) and "send all my Germany+ to ---, my Latin America to ---, my Australia/New Zealand to ---, my Canada to ---, my US to ---, my topicals to ---, etc etc etc; with the remainder being sent to our local stamp auction house". This is, of course, subject to the parties named agreeing they want these stamps, and paying for any shipping costs in advance. My stamps will constitute about 1% or less of my estate value, so I think my wife and daughters will be fine with that.
Just thinking...Dave.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
10 Oct 2021
02:09:59pm
re: I must be the odd one out!
Wait a minute, I don't see my name there. Harumph !
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re: I must be the odd one out!
A few years ago a fellow member of my model car club dragged into our meeting room, three large black garbage bags. This was his father in law's stamp collection. His wife was cleaning out her parents home after her mother's death, and was throwing everything into the trash! He saved the bags because he knew I was a stamp collector and didn't want to see it all hit the landfill.
The collection was more of a hoard than an organized collection, but it was saved and I spend many hours sorting and having fun. And most important it's not in the landfill! And I got it for free because I let everyone in my other hobbies know I was a stamp collector!
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