Stamp marking

In recent years I have bought lots of stamps at auctions, Ebay and ordinary
auctions

and have noticed that more and more stamp material appears to be marked in
pencil

on the reverse with what appears to be the catalogue number.

I would like to canvass the views of members of this NG as to what they
think of this fashion,

does it devalue the stamps worth and if so by what percentage? Should one
attempt to remove

these marks and if so what is the best method to use ?

John Law wrote:

I would like to canvass the views of members of this NG as to what they
think of this fashion,

When identifying a large number of stamps, I always do that, but very
lightly in pencil (so easily erased) and never on mint or valuable
stamps.

Larry at Morro Bay, California

I would like to canvass the views of members of this NG as to what they
think of this fashion,

I don't engage in the practice, but don't mind it either.
What is on the back of a stamp doesn't interest me much,
gum or pencil. Perhaps I am a "collector" more than a philatelist,
I find the enjoyment in both trying to complete a collection, and the
stories
contained in and on them, rather than the purist perfection of the
individual piece.

John Law wrote:
In recent years I have bought lots of stamps at auctions, Ebay and ordinary
auctions

and have noticed that more and more stamp material appears to be marked in
pencil

on the reverse with what appears to be the catalogue number.

I would like to canvass the views of members of this NG as to what they
think of this fashion,

does it devalue the stamps worth and if so by what percentage? Should one
attempt to remove

these marks and if so what is the best method to use ?

My experience with pencil back numbers is that there are many numbered
wrong or not a Scott number that they are unreliable. I do not like
them just ignore them.

Ralphael, the OLD one

It seems to me, whatever catalogue you employ, it
is hazardous to rely on any number within 12 months of the issue
of the catalogue.

My experience with pencil back numbers is that there are many numbered
wrong or not a Scott number that they are unreliable. I do not like
them just ignore them.

Ralphael, the OLD one

"Rod" wrote in message
...
It seems to me, whatever catalogue you employ, it
is hazardous to rely on any number within 12 months of the issue
of the catalogue.
snip

Like all generalisations there are exceptions. I know of one catalogue
that doesn't change its numbers.

Douglas

Douglas Myall wrote:
"Rod" wrote in message
...
It seems to me, whatever catalogue you employ, it
is hazardous to rely on any number within 12 months of the issue
of the catalogue.
snip

Like all generalisations there are exceptions. I know of one catalogue
that doesn't change its numbers.

Douglas

You did not mention the name of the catalog, maybe because everyone in
stampdom knows the name Douglas Myall.

Ralphael, the OLD one

hehehe
as he paints a figure one in the air with his finger

Like all generalisations there are exceptions. I know of one catalogue
that doesn't change its numbers.

Douglas

"Douglas Myall" wrote in message
news

"Rod" wrote in message
...
It seems to me, whatever catalogue you employ, it
is hazardous to rely on any number within 12 months of the issue
of the catalogue.
snip

Like all generalisations there are exceptions. I know of one catalogue
that doesn't change its numbers.

Douglas

Do you mean Scott? ;-)

--
Victor

Victor Manta wrote:
"Douglas Myall" wrote in message
news

"Rod" wrote in message
...
It seems to me, whatever catalogue you employ, it
is hazardous to rely on any number within 12 months of the issue
of the catalogue.
snip

Like all generalisations there are exceptions. I know of one catalogue
that doesn't change its numbers.

Douglas

Do you mean Scott? ;-)

I don't know Scott Myall. Is he afiliated with "the book"?

Ralphael, the OLD one