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Rec.Collecting.Stamps FAQ



 
 
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Old September 1st 03, 10:23 PM
Kaleb KEITHLEY
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Default Rec.Collecting.Stamps FAQ


The Rec.Collecting.Stamps FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions -- with
answers) is available at http://www.stampfaq.org/

My top twelve questions, with answers, a

Q: Are there charters for these groups?

A: Yes. You can find copies of the groups' charters at

ftp://ftp.isc.org/usenet/news.announ...lecting.stamp=
s.marketplace

or Jon Bell's copies at
http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/usenet...d-charter.html and
http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/usenet...m-charter.html


Q: Are binaries allowed in rec.collecting.stamps.discuss or
rec.collecting.stamps.marketplace?

A: No. Put them on a web site and post a link to your web site.


Q: Are ads allowed on rec.collecting.stamps.discuss?

A: No. Post ads in rec.collecting.stamps.marketplace.

Q: Is it ever correct to post the same message, or cross-post a message
to both rec.collecting.stamps.discuss and
rec.collecting.stamps.marketplace?

A: Probably not. Except for FAQs and Welcome messages, if it's on-topic
for one group, it's probably off-topic for the other group. Post
your message to one group or the other, but not both.


Q: I have some old stamps with Hitler on them, are they worth anything?

A: Probably not. While there are some rare "Hitler heads" the vast
majority of them are worth very little. However, as with most
stamps,

the value of Hitler Head stamps is far more likely to be intrinsic
than monetary. A diligent search may well turn up Hitler Head
stamps that are of philatelic interest. There are some consistent
printing errors, and various oddities and "freaks" have been found.=

There are also gum varieties, not to mention the large number of
occupation overprints and propaganda forgeries.

If you consider that every Hitler Head stamp (like most stamps) is
an historic artifact, a study of the stamps can lead to a greater
understanding of the times in which they were issued. You may be
surprised to learn, for example, that Hitler profited greatly from
the sale of all stamps that carried his image: he earned royalties
from their sale, which was heavily promoted by the Nazi party.


Q: I have a bunch of gold plated U.S. stamps on First Day Covers, what
are they worth?

A: If you're lucky a dealer might give you 50=C2=A2 each -- if you're luc=
ky.


Q: What does PNC mean?

A: In the U.S. it usually means "Plate Number Coil" -- vending machine
coil stamps that are collected in strips of three, five, or
sometimes

seven stamps with the printing plate number on the face of the
middle stamp. Elsewhere it means "Philatelic-Numismatic Cover", a
cross-hobby contrivance that has both a stamp and a coin on it.


Q: What about MNH, MNG, LH, F, VF, SOTN, etc.?

A: These and more are all defined in FAQ at http://www.stampfaq.org.
MNH - Mint Never Hinged -- like new, as the post office sold them.
MNG - Mint No Gum -- acidic gum might have been washed off to help
preserve some stamps, or stamps that were originally issued
without gum.
LH - Lightly Hinged
F - Fine -- a qualitative grade
VF - Very Fine -- another qualitative grade
SOTN - Socked On The Nose -- a used stamp (neatly) cancelled
perfectly in the center of the stamp.


Q: I have an inherited an old stamp collection. How can I find out how
much it is worth?

A: In a large city, you may find a stamp dealer who will provide a quick
assessment in only a few minutes. Most stamp collections are worth
very little; if your collection is not "average," you should be
prepared to pay for an evaluation, which may or may not prove
worthwhile.

Your library probably has recent copies of standard stamp
catalogues.

Even if you are a beginner at stamps, you should be able to tell
fairly quickly whether the collection has any value. You should do =
a
bit of reading first, however, in order to learn some of the basic
"rules" of stamp collecting. Libraries usually have books on basic
stamp collecting, and catalogues themselves contain many useful
hints for evaluating stamps.

The average modern stamp collection, especially if it is a
disorganized accumulation in miscellaneous envelopes and
stockbooks, will not interest most dealers; the labor required to
organize and sell such collections is worth far more than potential=

sales.

Organized collections which contain stamps of higher value may be
saleable, but few dealers will pay more than 10% to 15% of
catalogue value; like all businesses, stamp shops must make
sufficient profit to stay in business. You might do considerably
better if you submit the collection for auction, but of course that=

is a more labor intensive course for you.

Alternatively, you might consider keeping the stamps and joining
the community of stamp collectors. While the cash value of your
inherited collection may be low, its intrinsic value may be very
high. Your relative obviously thought so!


Q: What is the best stamp album to buy?

A: The best stamp album is the one that best suits your needs. If you
are a casual collector, an inexpensive country or world album to
which you can add new pages or blank pages is a good buy, and will
teach you a lot about stamp collecting.

If you wish to become more "serious" about collecting, and have
decided that you wish to narrow your collecting interests, it might
be a good idea to purchase a specialized album. Several companies
market such albums, although you will have to be prepared to spend
more money.

Many collectors create their own albums, using "quadrilled" pages
and ring books, or design their own pages by hand or with commonly
available computer software and printers.

One alternative that some collectors use is a stockbook with plastic=

strips to hold the stamps in place, or stock pages that can be
placed in a ring binder.


Q: What are all these posts in rcsd about SNA?

A: SNA stands for "Swence Nickerbockers Astound" a mythical country
created by some denizens of the rec.collecting.stamps.figments and
populated by bananas of their ligaments. "Press releases" from
the SNA post office, regarding their new issue policy and customer
service (or lack thereof) are often satirical references to the
policies of less conservative postal administrations. Subscribers
wishing to post messages on the topic of SNA are encouraged to add
"SNA" to their subject line, so that those who aren't interested in=

the topic may filter the messages out. More information can be found=

on at http://www.values.ch/sna-site/sna.htm


Q: Information on www.stampfaq.org is incomplete, outdated, or wrong --
how can I update it?

A: Send edits, updates, and new information to me at this address. Make
certain that "FAQ" appears in the Subject: line of your email.
(Don't just post your correction to the newsgroup because I might
not see it.)






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