Ever considered Collecting Precancels?

Have you ever considered collecting Precancels? Most collectors have developed the opinion that "precancels" are inferior to normal issue stamps, and therefore aren't interested in them. This opinion can prevent you from having a lot of fun and meeting a lot of nice and very knowledgeable collectors.

About twenty years ago, I developed an interest in precancels because of a couple of articles that had read about them. I was amazed to find that many of the precancel collectors that I met had been collectors of other types of stamps and got bored with their normal collections and started collecting precancels. U.S. precancels are categorized as Bureau and Local precancels. The Bureau precancels were produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, DC. Local precancels were produced by individual post offices in both large and small towns throughout the United States. Precancels were used to eliminate the need to cancel items which were mailed in large quantities. By using a precanceled stamp, the post office saved a lot of time for large mailings. In the early 1900's and later, these mailings were produced by grocery stores for their advertisments, state and local government mailings, etc. The number of precancels that can be collected is in the thousands. So you can build a large collection. Many of the precancels cost less than a dollar each and can appear on many different U.S. issues. If you would like to know more about precancels and precancel collecting, please visit the Precancel Stamp Society web site. The Precancel Stamp Society holds various meetings during the year. These can be found on the web site. They are very interesting meetings where collectors socialize and buy, sell, and trade precancels. These meetings are much more social and very enjoyable. So, if you have ever been the slightest bit interested in precancels, visit the site and make an effort to attend one of their meetings near you. If you have questions about precancels or have some to trade or sell, please contact me at curtstamp@aol.com. Have a good day and I hope you will find the aspect of collecting precancels of interest.

What about eBay Auctions?

I have been active on eBay as a seller since 1996. It is rather interesting to see what transpires regarding auctions. I would say that most listings are really not auctions in the fact that only 1-2 bidders are active on a given item. This allows the buyers to "pick up" bargains on many medium to higher priced items.

I am sure that the buyers pride themselves in the fact that they got a real BARGAIN!

Well, stamp dealers are individuals who attempt to make a living at supplying collectors with stamps to add to their collection. When situations such as eBay exist, buyers will continue to get BARGAINS and dealers will continue to make little or no money on sales. The net result will be that those dealers will go out of business. Of course, they may be replaced by a few more dealers who have not figured out that you cannot sell material at very low prices and survive.

This situation has existed for a long time before eBay and I am sure will continue. However, collectors and buyers must remember - - that what goes around will come around again. Meaning, that when you go to sell all of the material that you have purchased at eBay BARGAINS do not expect to sell them to another dealer at high prices. Low selling prices generate LOW buying prices. You may have a lot more material that was purchased at above the eBay prices that you wish to sell. They will be bought at the lower prices.

Stamp buyers or collectors should remember that a stamp dealer(seller) is their only source of material. They should support his efforts and allow him to make a reasonable profit and living.

Please read my blog entitled The Golden Rule.

Have a good day and enjoy your collecting!

Stamp Collecting & The Golden Rule

The hobby of stamp collecting is one of the greatest hobbies in the world. It brings together people from all nationalities, professions or jobs, and ages. It teaches them much about history, geography, and world cultures. Many events and famous personalities are the subjects of stamps issued by countries from all over the world.

In order for collectors to expand their collections they must contact fellow collectors and stamp dealers. This allows them to acquire more material by either purchase or trading with fellow collectors. These relationships are very important and can provide rewards which surpass just the ability to gain more material to add to a collection. Not only can they form lifelong friendships and acquaintances but they may also gain a lot of knowledge from these contacts about their collecting interests.

However, over the years I have heard many stories told about how a very good relationship with either a collector of stamp dealer eventually took a turn for the worst and ended in leaving a "bitter taste" in the mouths and minds of both individuals. This fact prompted me to remember a phrase that was taught to me early in my life --- "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Of course, this phrase is known as The Golden Rule.

James Cash Penney, who was later known as J.C. Penney named his first store the Golden Rule in 1902. This step and the manner in which he treated customers set his store apart from most of his competitors and developed a thriving business which still continues today. Mr. Penney was raised on a farm outside of Hamilton, MO by his parents. His father was a minister who had taught his son to believe in the practical application of the Golden Rule.

For more than thirty years, I have heard stories about how some dealers have failed to treat collectors in a fair manner and I have also heard storeis about how some collectors have taken advantage of a stamp dealer. Other cases of the same type have occurred between collectors themselves. Of course, there are situations in which the individuals involved are attempting to be dishonest or are just plainly dishonest. My experience has been that these situations occur less frequently than those of a satisfactory nature and outcome.

How does one as a collector apply the Golden Rule?

• Provide your dealer with want lists for material that you intend to purchase and can afford
• Develop an open line of communication with your dealer
• Promptly return material to the dealer that does not meet your needs
• Promptly pay for material that you purchase.
• Compliment your dealer on his service if he deserves it
  

How does a dealer apply the Golden Rule?

• Promptly ship orders upon receipt of payment
• Ship only material that you know or believe will meet the collector's requirements
• Look for additional ways to be of service to your customer
• Always treat customers as if they are right even thou they may not be.
• Always say "thank you" to your customer
  

Today, there is a lot of buying and selling activity among collectors and dealers done on the internet. These activities can provide a lot of value to both, however they also leave the "personal" nature of the business behind. So no matter whether you are at a stamp bourse, stamp club meeting, active on the internet, or doing business by mail, pause a moment and ask yourself - "Are my comments or actions one's which I would like to receive in a similar situation?"

You will find that the Golden Rule will work for you just as it did for J.C. Penney.

Be sure to visit me at www.curtisgiddingstampstore.com

Collecting the "Oldies"

Perhaps I must be a hopeless romantic but I love the Pre-1900 issues of most every country. Their beauty and the fact that they have survived for so many years is amazing. Just think about it! These issues have been surviving in stock books, albums, and any other place that collectors store their treasures for well in excess of 100 years.

The collectors that were active at the time when these issues were considered "new issues" did not have any of the modern collecting tools that we are so lucky to have. As a result, they had certain practices that would not be acceptable today.

As an example, one of the major supplier of albums, Lallier and others, produced album pages that contained squares for the stamps that were in most cases smaller than the stamp itself or they used boxes which were the actual shape of the stamp design. Both of these practices encouraged collectors to cut the stamp to the size that would fit the square or the specific shape in the album. Today, examples of these stamps can beound quite routinely and are considered inferior copies. Good examples of this are India, Scott 6 and Tasmania, Scott 14. But if you are like me, copies such as these still allow us to collect them and enjoy the beauty of the stamp itself.

Another condition which is commonly found in these early issues is "pinholes". Always described as a defect, they exist for a very explainable reason. You see, early stamp dealers did not have the benefit of glassines, Vario stock cards, and etc. with which to display their stock. They actually pinned them to a cork bulletin board to display them for sale. An utterly disgusting practice but quite practical for the times. To me, this condition just adds some nostalgia to the stamp. It allows you to dream and ponder about how many times this ancient item has been traded among dealers or collectors.

The availability of the Scott Classic Stamp Catalogue, allows a collector to have a catalog for these early issues without having to buy a complete of them. The wide availability of blank album pages and computer generated album pages and stock books allows a very flexible system for arranging his or her collection.

Another widely believed myth is that collecting the Pre-1900 issues must be very expensive. There are many of the issues that can be obtained for less than $5-$10 each. This type of material is widely available on many of the popular internet sites for stamps.

I believe that this type of collecting is much more exciting than building a massive collection of the prevalent new issues. Many of these early issues can be found with obvious faults such as tears, massive thins, and staining. Stamp with these conditions should prevent them from becoming a part of your collection. Last but not least, let us not follow our old time collector friends and glue them onto the album page. Be sure to use a good quality of stamp hinge.

My love of nostalgia encourages me to collect these old relics with great interest and appreciation. I hope that this information has been helpful in arousing your interest in these older issues.

Be sure to visit me at www.curtisgiddingstampstore.com

Great Stamp Dealer Experiences

I have been a stamp dealer since 1978. I have had many great experiences in dealing with collectors and other dealers. One of the better ones is as follows:

For several years, I specialized in U.S. Precancel Stamps. Mr. John Boker advertised that he was interested in Unlisted Precancel types. After a few months, I found a precancel type that I thought was unlisted and sent it to him. Shortly, I received a very nice letter and a check for much more than I ever expected for the precancel. In subsequent years, I sold Mr. Boker additional precancels and precancel items.

I never set a price on the precancels, but asked that he send what was a fair price.

This shows the beauty of the great hobby of stamp collecting. Today, I am not specializing in U.S. Precancels but handle stamps from all over the world. But this is an experience to be shared. Because it can be related to stamps no matter what the area is that you collect.

Be sure to visit me at www.curtisgiddingstampstore.com