eBay Chat: Stamps

eBay chatboard archive: Mar-26-07 to Apr-01-07 week

Posted by rclwa ( 962

) on Apr-01-07 at 22:41:16 PDT

Follow-up, FWIW -- Turned out my find of the 19th c engraving was slightly diminished, as it wasn't my direct ancestor after all, but his son (same name, Jr.), whose sister is my ancestor, and he is a 3x great-uncle. Still, he connects into the family tree, and the engraving is MUCH more detailed than the low-res image seen in the description.

Having a baffling problem with my Mozilla email. All of a sudden it shows an unread message, indicated by ''Inbox'' printed bold with a (1) following, but a careful scroll through all messages finds none unread--all are unbold. Even weirder, the total number of messages DOUBLED, even though only the original number of headers shows! It seems like it started before last shutdown when I could see TWO of each header, but I hoped it was a glitch that would go away on restart. But now I ony see one of each, but the count shows double. Only diminished by one if I delete one. Anybody have any idea what's happening, or how I can fix it? I think it's hogging precious room on my HD.

Bob in WA

Posted by rclwa ( 962

) on Apr-01-07 at 22:21:30 PDT

Ironing -- Be careful with heat settings, or you may scorch the cover, as I did the left edge of THIS one! (Happy April 1 :-)

Bob in WA

Posted by jaywild ( 930

)

on Apr-01-07 at 22:13:16 PDT

infla-alec… Congratulations on the terrific find! That’s the kind of story I love to hear. If your friend hadn’t happened to come along at that flea market, that cover might have ended up in the trash as unsaleable.

Jim

? How to do a “flip-comparison” test on perforations
? US Stamp Identifiers: | 10c Issue of 1855-57 | First 3¢ Stamped Envelopes | Grilled Stamps | Large “Banknotes” | First Bureau Issues | Abe Lincoln’s “tiny eye”
| Washington-Franklin stamps of 1908-22 | 2nd & 3rd Issue Revenue Designs | Colors, Scott 70/78, 24¢ Washington

Posted by abt1950 ( 224

)

on Apr-01-07 at 20:07:57 PDT

I'm getting an image of the Ice House cover being ironed onto a T shirt. Perhaps a new activity for philatelist birthday parties??

Good night to all and to all sweet dreams of Marius and trivia (good luck!), neat inflation covers, and wearable collections. Anne

Posted by jim_lawler ( 1277

)

on Apr-01-07 at 19:34:09 PDT

infla-alec
Re: Ironing covers
While I’ve not done it myself I’ve been given some warnings.

Make sure the cover is clean and everything erased you want removed. Once you apply the heat the dirt and markings become permanent.

Finish up any work on improving the cover (ie. removing foxing, mildew stains, paper repair, etc.) before you apply the iron.

Use a good cotton tee-shirt and place the cover inside it.

Use a warm setting on a steam iron.

Watch how much steam you use. You want very little.

Mess up a few worthless covers and practice on them before trying with anything you want to keep.

Marius
I wish you success with the quiz show. Keep up informed on how it developes.

Jim L.

Posted by iomoon ( 1047

)

on Apr-01-07 at 19:21:27 PDT

Five hours?

No snakes (or elephants) in the garden today.

Posted by stampmad ( 1084

)

on Apr-01-07 at 14:17:03 PDT

Lindy One of the "to do" things on my list is to be at a full capacity MCG for a sporting event and I may be in Melbourne on Anzac Day. Hopefully I may get a game of footy in.

Posted by mini*lindy ( 343

)

on Apr-01-07 at 14:10:47 PDT

Oh, Marius, well good luck with that. Hey its a quiz show, they like the contestants to not be as good looking as the Host. You think Barry Jones has a face for tv??? hahahaa

Now if it was Dancing with the Stars, then perhaps you may not stand a chance. Bring your winter woolies, its getting chilly in Melbourne!

Linda

Posted by stamps12345 ( 223

) on Apr-01-07 at 13:59:06 PDT

WE DESCENDED FROM THE FREE THOUGHT AND FREE EXPRESSIONS OF THE VIKING PERIOD TO THE "DARK AGES".

Posted by stampmad ( 1084

)

on Apr-01-07 at 13:47:49 PDT

Lindy...Jim..The show is "The Rich List" and I will know in 2 weeks if I have been selected to go down to Melbourne for a week for taping. My only concern is my age as I was one of the oldest there and I have a great face for radio.
For those who don't know, I am a trivia buff and attend 3 trivia nights a week as part of a team. At one venue we have taken about $20,000 in cash prizes over 3 years.
Marius

Posted by stamps12345 ( 223

) on Apr-01-07 at 13:33:03 PDT

INFLA-ALEC-----Nice find on that cover

Posted by stamps12345 ( 223

) on Apr-01-07 at 13:31:21 PDT

SAYASAN / INFLE-ALEC Your both right ,I should concede that the fiqure is high but not 90%.Also should state that not all experts are on the same level and a few could have the knowledge and resources to identify the right gum that a few regummers are using .But that doesn't take away from my view that most experts can be fooled.It should also be said that most sales and transactions are done not under ideal conditions and a purchase at a stamp show or auction house viewing room is not the best place to check gum .

It is also a true statement that most forgers and fakers don't try to sell their work to know experts ......paul

Posted by infla-alec ( 518

)

on Apr-01-07 at 12:49:37 PDT

Bjorn I have friends in the Hamburg area so if I hear of anything I'll mail you. There are of course a couple of dealers in Hamburg but over Easter I'd imagine most close down.

Posted by bjornmu ( 908

) on Apr-01-07 at 12:48:43 PDT

Roger, no it was clear from both the picture and the message that this was a civilian who was on a "skiing school" (I think those were the words). Nice winter scene from "Skistua" with parked cars and skiers.

Posted by malolo ( 836

)

on Apr-01-07 at 12:20:15 PDT

Bjorn -
Well done this past year!

I'll bet that German soldier was skiing in a white snow suit, and had a few friends with him. )'>) Not the bright colors of today's cross-country skiers.

Roger

Posted by bjornmu ( 908

) on Apr-01-07 at 11:50:38 PDT

Alec, so new finds can still be made! Speaking of flea markets, does anyone know of such places in Hamburg where I might find philatelic stuff? I'm going there during Easter. I did find a market in Vienna in the dummer of '05 but there wasn't really much. Did pick up an interesting picture postcard sent home from a German who was on a skiing holiday in the hills outside Trondheim in the winter of 1942(!).

Posted by iomoon ( 1047

)

on Apr-01-07 at 11:50:26 PDT

To match the 2 cent stamp, here is the 3d.

Posted by philaweb ( 203

)

on Apr-01-07 at 11:49:32 PDT

Good Morning/Day/Afternoon/Evening!

Received this picture postcard in the mail this week. It is just the third picture postcard I have seen with view of Riga, Latvia, on the picture side and postally used in Riga, Latvia from the period of Postgebiet Oberbefehlshaber Ost - the German postal administration of the occupied Baltics and Russia during World War I. The 7½ pfennig Germania postage stamp is cancelled by a Riga postmark dated November 11, 1918, which is quite ironic since that day was the official end of the world war at eleven am.

Posted by infla-alec ( 518

)

on Apr-01-07 at 11:34:42 PDT

Bjorn Just had a reply from the Infla Prüfer and he informs me that my find is in all probability unique. He will check with the other Infla expertisers but he is pretty certain no other such multiples exist. The key of course being the Walzendruck print.

Official welcome also to all new Eusc officers are in order as are sincere thanks to all the outgoing. Must admit Ant-Ra sound like some ancient Pharoe name. I'd like for incoming Presidents to put on a show of their own collection, or part thereof. But that is just a personal thing.

Posted by iomoon ( 1047

)

on Apr-01-07 at 11:10:57 PDT

Let me add my thanks to Bjorn who now joins the ranks of ex-eUSC presidents, for a job well-done.

Welcome Mitchell and crew.

Posted by jaywild ( 930

)

on Apr-01-07 at 10:57:04 PDT

Marius… Congratulations. Is this a radio or TV quiz program? Will it be available outside Australia? I never did get to hear your other radio program.

Congratulations also to the Great and Powerful Ant-Ra and the other eUSC electees assuming office today.

Jim

? How to do a “flip-comparison” test on perforations
? US Stamp Identifiers: | 10c Issue of 1855-57 | First 3¢ Stamped Envelopes | Grilled Stamps | Large “Banknotes” | First Bureau Issues | Abe Lincoln’s “tiny eye”
| Washington-Franklin stamps of 1908-22 | 2nd & 3rd Issue Revenue Designs | Colors, Scott 70/78, 24¢ Washington

Posted by abt1950 ( 224

)

on Apr-01-07 at 10:28:38 PDT

I also am staying out of the discussion at VSC. I have no objection to people "collecting what they want," as long as the material is presented honestly. That's what gets me most about the issue of illegals--individuals who have no connection to or authorization from the country in whose name they claim to be issuing stamps who are making money off the garbage that they create. That's fraud.

Anne

Posted by greenwave4u ( 73

) on Apr-01-07 at 09:36:20 PDT

Time to roll the dice and get a 3. SG 159 without much gum so can't be one of the 90% regummed:-)

cheers

Peter

Posted by iomoon ( 1047

)

on Apr-01-07 at 09:18:39 PDT

Good day all.

Richard...sayasan

I have purposely kept out of the APS arguments on Lloyd's board, though do have a great deal of sympathy for their members like Dana who are unsure as to the legitimacy of certain "stamps". For those of us who have been involved with philately for close to half a century it is easy to assume that everyone should have the "common sense" to recognize what are and what are not valid items. Unfortunately, there are new and young collectors who must learn their mistakes the hard way. A publication, such as Earee's Album Weeds, but devoted to illegal stamps, would seem to be ideal in order to educate such individuals.

Posted by abt1950 ( 224

)

on Apr-01-07 at 09:12:59 PDT

Afternoon/evening/Morning from a pre-rainy NJ.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW EUSC OFFICERS AND THANKS TO THE OUTGOING OFFICERS FOR THEIR SERVICE

You never know what will turn up on ebay:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/01/earhart.mystery.ap/index.html

Anne

Posted by cobbie10 ( 6057

)

on Apr-01-07 at 08:59:45 PDT

Morning all. I see the auction for the Victorian 1d has been ended by the seller. I know that others reported it, as did I a couple of times for different reasons. I've bookmarked the seller so will watch out for it to be listed again.

Posted by infla-alec ( 518

)

on Apr-01-07 at 07:36:10 PDT

I mentioned earlier that I think the creases on my friends find for me can be ironed out. Now this is not something I have ever done before so any good tips from anyone out there on the best way to approach this would be much appreciated.

Posted by infla-alec ( 518

)

on Apr-01-07 at 07:29:17 PDT

Bjorn My Briefe 2004 states as MEF Plattendruck ( Flat print) value is €280. Walzendruck as MEF is €750. So yes the newer version of the cover catalogue does distinguish betwen the printings. Those prices refer I believe to two copies being on a cover. The remainder of any multiple franking is usually calculated as being the normal prices of singles then added to the MEF price. However the Briefe does not take into account the value Infla collectors place on blocks of 4 or more. Usually blocks of 4 stamps off cover used are valued at 6 x singles price.
In over 20 years of colecting just the OPD (Provisional stamps) on cover I have never before seen one used in December with such a mass franking. I'm not saying it is the only one known but that I will be speaking to one of the Infla Prüfers about. He and I are working together on a research project on these particular issues.

Prices in the Spezial are always for MiF (mixed frankings). Though to be honest how Michel value some frankings is beyond me as they are hopelessly wrong. That said it is also understandable because only by knowing how scarce some rates are can any collector really know somethings true value. Then of course there is the cancel factor to be considered which can easily in some cases put the value way beyond what what most collectors would imagine possible.

The popularity of small village and town cancels is extremely strong in Germany and when two serious , "Heimattsammler" want something many sellers are amazed at the final result.

In answer to your cover yes the Michel value for your EF is only a few € but again they don't take into account how hard it is to get a correctly rated 4th weight printed matter cover. Congratulations on a nice find. So you see it isn't always about how long the stamps were in use for but what use they were made of.

Posted by bjornmu ( 908

) on Apr-01-07 at 06:57:54 PDT

Alec, congrats on a great find! But when I look this up in my Michel 1999 Brief-Katalog vs. the 2005 Special, I'm confused. The cover cataloge doesn't distinguish between the printings, and says 1500 DM for a single on cover, which I would presume is the cheapest variety. But the Special says just 50 Euros for the Plattendruck on cover, is that for mixed franking?

Anyway, how would you rate this 100 Mark I just picked up? This stamp very common as single franking as this was the domestic letter rate for 4 months, but this appears to be for a 4th wight class (100-250g) printed matter. It's big and folded.

Posted by infla-alec ( 518

)

on Apr-01-07 at 06:36:04 PDT

Paul Reference to regumming yes many experts now will refuse to sign stamps as being unmonted mint.Without doubt the forgers of today do have the technological skills to reproduce the gum of older stamps. That said I think your quote of, "of all the high Value stamps in the auction catalogs are regummed if not 90%." is way off the mark. How do you come to such a figure ? I have no doubt some auctions do indeed have regummed stamps on offer as MNH which are regummed. Thankfully collecting mint stamps is not something I do.

I know Paolo's native tongue isn't English but I took his posting to be simply a warning that dangerous regumming and paper type switches exist that would fool most if not all novice / medium collectors. If memory serves Paolo has a chemical/ mechanical engineering background and so is perhaps better qualified than most in being able to spot clever fakes and regumming.

This isn't my having a go at Paul in any shape or form so don't anyone please go starting some argument over a simple difference of opinion. Should Paul or Paulo wish to explain anything further then they should be allowed to do so without prejudice. Or they correspond privately via e-mail.

Posted by infla-alec ( 518

)

on Apr-01-07 at 05:53:20 PDT

NOIP Just to let all know that I am still active despite not being able to participate so much these past two weeks.
Advantage of people knowing what you collect Today or rather a few hours ago I received a phone call from a friend in Germany who was very excited and asked me to hurry up and get online so he could talk to me. At first I thought somethimng had happened to either him or someone I knew. The excitement was caused by him discovering for sale at a local flea market This cover which also had some extra stamps on the reverse. For many years now he has been trying to find something in return for the many items I have found for him.
Now agreed at first sight the cover looks rather tatty, but I feel the creases can be ironed out with some care. Is the cover anything special one may ask ? Yes in fact it is for two reasons. 1. The date is December 1923 and such a mass franking of that stamp is scarce in itself. 2 The stamp is known to be printed using the flate print and cylinder printing methods. These are all Cylinder printed and their use on cover is extremely scarce. Needless to say my friend has now bought this item for me and it will warrant a page of it's own in my collection.
Moral of the story is one that could apply here to everyone. Share your collecting interests with us all here and one day you never know someone here may just be able to come across something special that fits your own collection perfectly.

Posted by mini*lindy ( 343

)

on Apr-01-07 at 05:12:03 PDT

Marius, good luck! which show? 1 v 100?

Posted by sayasan ( 640

)

on Apr-01-07 at 04:53:04 PDT

Paul - Re regumming, I dare say you're right, but if the fakers are now so good that no expert can tell that they've done it, how do we know that they have done it? And how do we come up with a figure for the number/percentage of items that they've done?

NOIP - Well, that boxing match over illegals on the VSC board certainly took off ...

Posted by 19thcentpostal ( 182

)

on Apr-01-07 at 04:43:13 PDT

Good Morning and a Happy All Fools Day!
Here is my 2c
Lynn

Posted by stampmad ( 1084

)

on Apr-01-07 at 03:43:37 PDT

All hail new President Mitch. 1st April is changeover date for EUSC executive. Thanks to those who served previously. Hopefully at the next meeting we will be able to ratify Matt as APS rep.
Marius

BTW Went to auditions for a nationally screened quiz type show and of the 250 people there I finished with the highest score in the 40 question quiz. Here's hoping.

Posted by jim_lawler ( 1277

)

on Apr-01-07 at 02:32:29 PDT

Greetings
and an Indiana "Good Morning"
to you all

Jim L.

Posted by sheryll*net ( 91

)

on Mar-31-07 at 23:38:45 PDT

Better late than never.....

Here's my posting for 1, 1 1/2 and 2.
This cover, which sold at auction in 2000 (for AU$600!!), shows 2 New Hebrides 2d stamps over which has been typed "ONE PENNY HALFPENNY" in red. No such overprint was offically used, and New Hebrides collectors have so far drawn a blank in finding out why the overprint was applied. Perhaps the sender had had one two many?

S2

Posted by abt1950 ( 224

)

on Mar-31-07 at 22:10:52 PDT

Good night to all and to all sweet dreams of Strubels and chocolate, notable numbers and regumming of stamps (if Berlin Bear stamps were to be regummend, they could be called Gummy Bears). Anne

Posted by mini*lindy ( 342

)

on Mar-31-07 at 21:16:56 PDT

just for ioJim.. panic in Duluth as fake volcano bursts into flames!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17882423/?gt1=9145

:o)

Posted by malolo ( 836

)

on Mar-31-07 at 20:15:11 PDT

Paolo -
Your new cover has an example of the Güller moveable wheel cancels first issued in late 1866. Güller got a contract to provide these cancels to replace the slugs used in most cancelers. Your Zürich example with 17 vertical lines above the bridge was in use between 10 July 1867 and 11 December 1868.

If you have access to a philatelic library my information comes from an article "Les Cachet Güller avec Texte Elzevir", by Pierre Guinand in the Schweizer Briefmarken Zeitung, October/2006. In French so I can't give many details, sacrè blu!

Roger

BTW - I had that cover on my watch list.

Posted by stamps12345 ( 223

) on Mar-31-07 at 19:41:42 PDT

PAOLO -----Your all wet when it comes to stamp gum.

Your information is not correct about reguming stamps.First their are artist out there who have been doing it for years and they are very good in their art.

They are so good that they can renew any stamp in the world to the point the experts can't tell .Some expert services no longer give opinions on gum ,that's how good they gotten.Not only they can duplicate the glues but the aging with it ,they also can put in the roller ridges on the stamp gum. Cleaning the edges is easy with a Dremel Drill to remove the gum from the perfs.

They are so good they can take the gum off a low value or two or three half hinged stamp and reapply it to a higher value issue ,try to catch that with a spectrometer.The chemical makeup is the same .

More than half of all the high Value stamps in the auction catalogs are regummed if not 90%.

Get real its a chemical on the back of the stamps and those same chemical are sold everyday all over the world.

Gum even on original mint never hinged stamps will show variations especially if in a humid climate,mounted in plastic and pressed in a envolpe.

REGUMING STAMPS IS A ART FORM not some kid with a bottle of LaPage glue like in the fifties ,There is a living made doing excellent work .

PAUL

Posted by dbenson ( 8054

)

on Mar-31-07 at 19:36:23 PDT

D1,

Good Old Gary,

It would be a lot of work to alter the printed catalogues,

David B.

Posted by duncan_doenitz ( 115

) on Mar-31-07 at 19:23:17 PDT

dporter That seller's previous auction was an Apple McBook. When the auction ended the seller took away the PayPal option and asked for cash in an envelope. It was a Private Auction. Duh!

-Dunc

Posted by de66 ( 1060

) on Mar-31-07 at 19:03:28 PDT

D2

Reply from GW says he will change the on line catalogue

D1

Posted by malolo ( 836

)

on Mar-31-07 at 18:46:45 PDT

Paolo -
BTW - one of the primary reasons I got into Swiss material was the misdescription of so many items. When they are overdescribed, one skips them by. When they are "underdescribed" one snatches them up with glee. One of the beauties of Scott catalogue is how confusing are the descriptions of the early stuff. There is hidden value when one has some knowledge, not of shades, but of cancels! When you are ready to start Strubels, let me know. The Rayons are like a rocky road, some bumps are nice and solid, followed immediately by a soft hole.

Roger

Posted by figmente ( 881

) on Mar-31-07 at 18:45:03 PDT

dporter etc.

notice the last line of fine print:

PLEASE NOTE INPORTANT: This auction is for a link only not the stamp itself, with the link you will be able to find out where to purchase this stamp. We do not take responsibilty for the final bidders emotions and actions. all sales are deemed final after payment is cleared, This auction is totally legal and respects all ADA commities that wish to purchase it.

Posted by malolo ( 836

)

on Mar-31-07 at 18:40:05 PDT

Paolo -
I think you might find a copy of the Zumstein Specialized 1992 edition. It's a single volume, 1000+ pages, and has most of thei information you need at this point. The Specialized had to be expanded primarily to include newer issues (like all catalogues). I think somewhere on the American Helvetia site within the index of articles is a review of the original 1992 Specialized and later the 2 volume 200?. Maybe you can make an informed, price comparison, decision.

To everyone else not collecting Switzerland - Nevermind! )'>) you are missing something wonderful.

Roger

Posted by vonbag ( 170

)

on Mar-31-07 at 18:35:40 PDT

Bill C.
Not at all! Thank you for your kind reply.

Paolo

Posted by vonbag ( 170

)

on Mar-31-07 at 18:23:32 PDT

PS: on the unused/mint scetion I recently encountered some dangerous (for the novice-medium collector) fake gums.
Be very careful and informed regarding the never hinged conditon of better postage or due stamps.
I recently have found one rare Italian postage due with one layer of paper (the back, reverse side) switched with another one, with different watermark but with full original gum.
It is the so- called ' sandwich technique'; it's absolutely not a new issue, but forgers are refining their methods thanks to the info. we give them for free on the internet or on philatelic magazines.
If you can change the gum, you can also change the paper type, e.g . white paper against granite paper, or grilled paper which is a crucial issue with a some Swiss postage stamps Issues.

Recently on eBay I saw some real big misdescrptions on the Swiss area... and I thought it only happened with Italian States!
Be always wary, and inform yourself.
Regarding the genuine gum and paper, you can easily gather info from accumulations of stamps on letter piece which were not firmly applied to the postal document.
Once you ascertained the document is coheve to that of the Issue, try to lift one of the sides of the adhesive postage stamp to check pare type, thickness and gum type (if undisturbed).
Man warned is half saved.

All the best,
Paolo

Posted by claghorn1p ( 410

)

on Mar-31-07 at 18:13:45 PDT

Paolo Thanks for the info. I made the correction.

Alec Thanks for the prize. It goes in the album woth the other prizes.

Forgery Identification Site

Posted by vonbag ( 170

)

on Mar-31-07 at 18:08:10 PDT

If you give too much info. on postmarks, you risk it falls on the wrong hands.
It is very easy, with the right equipment, to make a replica of any postal marking and/or cancel (used to obliterate adhesive postage stamps, in the philatelic period).
The same is valid for overprints.
With the advances in photo-etching ("zincografia") it can be done wonders as for dimensions and shape of a certain X cancel or overprint.
The nastier ones -- I can assure you there are -- have the ingredients (chemical composition) and the preparation procedure scheme of the genuine pigments.
It is a scary field!
Fortunately there are the real stamp experts, those which are not merchants, to prevent the marcophily and postal history world from collapsing into a sea of doubtfullness.

Fingers crossed!
Good continuation,
Paolo

Posted by vinnysf ( 408

) on Mar-31-07 at 17:51:51 PDT

hungaryjim: aaahhhh, for the postmark..okay. wish i knew more about postmarks. they don't have a specific section for postal markings on ebay do they?

Posted by vonbag ( 170

)

on Mar-31-07 at 17:46:20 PDT

P.S.
"meroda, meroda friotta! ...sulla barba di chi l'ha scriotta":
I have at least three forgeries of Switzerland "Kanton Zürich" 4 and 6 (RP) purporting to be the Issue of 1843 -- certainly forgeries as they do not correspond to any of the issued types -- which appear to be engraved (recess printed, line engraved)! One of these is shown in your wonderful web-site (that one with 1, 8, 4, 3, at the four corners).

Posted by vonbag ( 170

)

on Mar-31-07 at 17:34:15 PDT

Bill C. (Claghorn1p),

Regarding this page (Belgium) out of your very usefule web-site:
both genuine and forgery were lithographed (- not typographed -).
My forgery (found it in a collection of Belgium) is very similar, if not identical, to the one you show; it is perforated 13.75 x 14.25, which is a different perforation gauge than that of the genuine.

Greetings,
Paolo

Posted by vonbag ( 170

)

on Mar-31-07 at 17:16:35 PDT

Aloha all
(but one or two ;-) with or without NABA blocks -- I don't need it anyways, I already have a couple, mint and... used... with genuine cancel and certificate!)!

Roger,
At your service, Your Majesty!
As you can see I, too, am also a bit later than the conventional "academic delay of quarter of an hour". LOL
Thank you very much for the images from Zumstein Special.
I have the simplified version (2006) which is bilingual (German and French); I have Michel Schweiz Spezial 2007; but I still have to acquire a copy of the Zumstein Special; I understand it's in two volumes and I can order it from a local catalogue and philatelic literature dealer (Auf der Heide, near Zeist).
Someone ventilated there is an Italian version of the specialised catalogue, but I couldn't find it on the internet. Anyway, German is fine, French a little better.

I foresee some nice discussions on Swiss cancels, Strubeli and Rayons (I am beating my head on it right now, I took out some auction catalogues with large images cross checking with Serrane guide; in one collection there were also some Cantonals; all are fake (mine -- nevermind, they were not counted in, else I should have made another mortgage).
Thank you for being there, Roger!

I saved your image; I will print it out and show it to that nobjoker self propelled pseudo-expert with beardy overtones! ;-)

David B.
The boss told me they still could not sell that remainder of collection (includiong the PAX, C1 and C2); I saw he made some additions, spicey, with some blocks, but none fell for it, yet.

Greetings,
Paolo

Posted by 1covers ( 1309

)

on Mar-31-07 at 16:32:19 PDT

A lazy "2".

Posted by abt1950 ( 224

)

on Mar-31-07 at 16:21:46 PDT

Well, that didn't work.

Posted by rclwa ( 962

) on Mar-31-07 at 16:21:28 PDT

OK, I think I found it.
THESE
and
THESE

Bob in WA

Posted by abt1950 ( 224

)

on Mar-31-07 at 16:21:16 PDT

Bob's stamps

Posted by rclwa ( 962

) on Mar-31-07 at 16:17:37 PDT

Someone will have to explain to me why the links didn't work. They look correct to me.

Bob in WA

Posted by rclwa ( 962

) on Mar-31-07 at 16:14:58 PDT

Numbers -- I think I may have missed the rules--are we now going through each digit 0-9, following the A-Z series, one each week? May I post href=http://666kb.com/i/an3vm3hs7aqgcapuu.jpg>THESE all together now? (Any who wish may save and peek each week at the new number.)

For those unfamiliar with the U.S. system, various numbers were assigned printing plates by different banknote companies from 1847 through the 1893 Columbians. In 1894 the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a government entity, took over all stamp printing from these private companies, and for the next 90 years or so sequentially numbered every different plate, reaching the 40 thousands by the 1980s, after which printing reverted to other firms, and plate numbers abandoned the 5-digit numbers and started over with various forms we see today. These are the first nine of those more than 40 thousand numbers, on the First Bureau definitives, either of 1894 on unwatermarked paper, or 1895 on watermarked paper, when most early plates were still in use. Probably the latter, which are more plentiful and less expensive. I'll have to check some day. My father started a goal of collecting the first 100 numbers, and had about 40 of them when he died in 1972. I have added about 20 more. 19 numbers were never used, so 81 would be a complete collection. Among others I still need the dollar values, which are very pricey, and for one extremely rare one (#89) it is believed only a handful exist.

Another catch up for numbers 1 and 2 would be href=http://666kb.com/i/aismlwji99fhm9bom.jpg>THESE, which please take note are the imperf varieties.

Bob in WA

Posted by stamphick! ( 336

) on Mar-31-07 at 16:06:28 PDT

Here's an 1863 2 silbergreoschen numeral from T&T Northern District.

It's an example of perce en lines rouletting, a process that has not been used for 100 years.

Posted by iomoon ( 1047

)

on Mar-31-07 at 15:53:03 PDT

Linda

In addition to the seller being apparently illiterate and assuming all customers are complete morons, I hope they enjoyed their loss on the purchase of the get-rich-quick scheme and on the eBay listing fee.

Just finishing my mail-out for the "other club", 100 via postcards and 138 via email. Who says rednecks aren't going with the flow!

Posted by mini*lindy ( 342

)

on Mar-31-07 at 15:24:32 PDT

GM from a sunny Melbourne, where we had a shower of rain overnight.
ioJim ebay aussie also shows feedback as From Buyers, From Sellers, Left for Others. Of most interest is the last purchase of that seller, £8.99 for a 'GET RICH QUICK SCHEME', which was from an equally poor speller.
Reporting the mis-use of the ASDA logo should get it pulled faster than anything else.
However, I am sure putting this wording in miniscule font in light grey on white will not be legal on ebay.uk
This auction is for a link only not the stamp itself, with the link you will be able to find out where to purchase this stamp.

oh dear!!!!
Linda

Posted by greenwave4u ( 73

) on Mar-31-07 at 13:54:41 PDT

For what it's worth I have reported that auction.

Posted by abt1950 ( 224

)

on Mar-31-07 at 13:23:21 PDT

Thanks. I don't normally use the UK site, so I'm unaware of its quirks. Nonetheless, the auction is wonky.

Posted by iomoon ( 1047

)

on Mar-31-07 at 13:13:13 PDT

Anne

Unlike the US site where feedback opens at total, the UK site opens feedback concomitant with the person's action.
Thus a seller's feedback will show selling feedback, e.t.c.

Posted by abt1950 ( 224

)

on Mar-31-07 at 13:03:36 PDT

AFternoon/evening/morning from a gray but very slightly greener NJ. Spring is getting ready to spring.

dporter Interesting auction. The seller's fiedback is interesting too--13 listed, 3 show up. And the ASDA stuff on the auction page.

New acquisition time: Here's a Egypt-Luxembourg cover, sent from Mena in 1899 to Luxembourg-Gare, via Alexandria. Number two for my "twofers" collection.

Anne

Posted by jimbo ( 390

)

on Mar-31-07 at 13:00:29 PDT

Here are a couple of 2s from Today in Postal History:
02/22/56 Galapagos to Canada
02/22/71Great Britain to Denmark

jimbo

Posted by iomoon ( 1047

)

on Mar-31-07 at 12:37:18 PDT

Ah, Dr. Who.

I've been a fan since William Hartnell.
That must be over forty years!!
Unfortunately it normally appears on US TV on Friday at midnight.

Posted by jim_lawler ( 1277

)

on Mar-31-07 at 12:20:19 PDT

dcderoo
Thanks much for remembering. I’ve got that one, but if you’ve an extra to dispose of I’d be interested. Email me for my address.
I suspect that the Dilbert cards will be harder to come by as they are sent to businesses where the Cathy cards go to residences.

Jim L.

Posted by greenwave4u ( 73

) on Mar-31-07 at 12:12:15 PDT

Jim Guess you were asleep last Sunday when I posted a 2! So I will give you a second chance especially as you are a GB collector:-

Missed the number 1 for the last week but thought I would double with plate numbers; a 1 and a 2. One of my favourite stamps and a little bit under-rated IMHO. QV surface printed SG126 in rose Plate 1 and nearly socked on the nose! and her sister a slightly grubby SG127 pale rose Plate 2.

BTW Very good start to the new Doctor Who series tonight in UK, beats the hell out of Star Wars, Star Trek etc.....
cheers
Peter

Posted by kathmoon ( 245

) on Mar-31-07 at 12:10:41 PDT

peterc: the revenue stamp is Scott #R107 - the center is justvery faded

Posted by peterc8888 ( 308

) on Mar-31-07 at 12:02:59 PDT

Terry

Thanks. Just curious about it.

PC

Posted by thines ( 1465

) on Mar-31-07 at 11:47:40 PDT

Peter,

It's R107. And there is an image of Washington's face. It's just very faded. Nothing special.

Terry Hines

Posted by peterc8888 ( 308

) on Mar-31-07 at 11:37:51 PDT

Does anyone know the Scott # of this US Internal Revenue 5c stamp?

PC

Posted by dcderoo ( 1658

) on Mar-31-07 at 11:37:11 PDT

Wasn't someone here collecting the USPS "Cathy" cards?
I just got one where Cathy was putting her mail on hold prior to going on vacation.
Let me know if you want/need this one.

Posted by jaywild ( 930

)

on Mar-31-07 at 11:18:37 PDT

Matt in AZ… Yes, it actually threatened the HOLLYWOOD sign for a while, and a cemetery, of all places, but they attacked it with water-dropping choppers and put it out in about an hour.

I made an operatic little movie of it that I posted on YouTube, here.

J

Jim

? How to do a “flip-comparison” test on perforations
? US Stamp Identifiers: | 10c Issue of 1855-57 | First 3¢ Stamped Envelopes | Grilled Stamps | Large “Banknotes” | First Bureau Issues | Abe Lincoln’s “tiny eye”
| Washington-Franklin stamps of 1908-22 | 2nd & 3rd Issue Revenue Designs | Colors, Scott 70/78, 24¢ Washington

Posted by keleofa ( 3405

)

on Mar-31-07 at 11:04:36 PDT

Jim,

I mis-read that line the first time! Glad you liked the 'Grain Quoatation' cover. Is the fire out in the Hollywood Hills?

Matt in Arizona

Posted by jaywild ( 930

)

on Mar-31-07 at 10:48:10 PDT

Matt in AZ… Another humorously quotable line from that lot— …“do not pass the chance to miss out on this auction.”

OK, will do!

Jim

? How to do a “flip-comparison” test on perforations
? US Stamp Identifiers: | 10c Issue of 1855-57 | First 3¢ Stamped Envelopes | Grilled Stamps | Large “Banknotes” | First Bureau Issues | Abe Lincoln’s “tiny eye”
| Washington-Franklin stamps of 1908-22 | 2nd & 3rd Issue Revenue Designs | Colors, Scott 70/78, 24¢ Washington

Posted by bjornmu ( 908

) on Mar-31-07 at 10:12:16 PDT

Yikes! The winner was was so eager to get this stamps that he entered a quadruple snipe! I know EZsniper will sometimes enter two bids, but four?

BTW, since the item page does reveal the identity of "Bidder 14", who not do so in the bid history too?

I think the folks at Ruby's got a bit of a surpise here! $860 for a $143 CV stamp isn't what you expect, but this is the "reengraved corner" plate flaw. Still a bit much IMHO.

Posted by iomoon ( 1047

)

on Mar-31-07 at 10:08:58 PDT

dporter

Apart from the appalling spelling, I doubt that the seller has an example of the 1840 "rainbow trial", but then again, you are bidding on a link as to where to obtain the stamp, rather than the stamp itself.

Posted by keleofa ( 3405

)

on Mar-31-07 at 09:58:53 PDT

dporter,

Other than remarks like 'massive rareness and fang' and the spelling, having to pick up the crap in Edinburgh may be fun. I've been there, nice town!

Matt in Arizona

Posted by dporter-stamps ( 460

)

on Mar-31-07 at 09:51:18 PDT

Anyone have any comments on this auction ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Victorian-1penny-stamp-Alternatively-rare-collective_W0QQitemZ330102702888QQcategoryZ3503QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Posted by 22028 ( 1591

)

on Mar-31-07 <