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Hi All,

Newbie as you can all see.
3 items brought recently, one from Joanne 620.
Will not advise which one was his/hers, the other two from reputable people.
Will provide details when I receive your thoughts.
Am an Investor, what is big at the moment?
Australian Stamps only please.

Please advise your thoughts?







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Kind Regards
DG

Wecome, eaglemont. I am not sure you want here. If the lots were accurately described, and priced according to condition, nobody here has any problems with what anybody, including Joanne620 puts on eBay.

If an obviously second grade stamp gets glowing positive claims with things like "Hundreds of $$$s under retail", SUPERB INVESTMENT", "Perfect Condition"... well that is the sort of things that make people see red.

Personally, (and remember that without seeing the stamps themselves this is not a science), I find the following:

The 5/- Bridge appears to have a crease which is visible from both front and back. I personally would describe it as "Average Mint"

The monogram single looks OK, except for one apparent short perf, and centred up.

The 3rd W/Mark OS, which I believe would be very difficult in multiples (but I will bow to superior advice on this) appears from the scan to be badly stained in places. But if it is a difficult multiple, it could still command a premium. Not sure about the OS, though - one needs to be a real expert, and fakes are still difficult if they are well done.

But, without knowing what the eBay description was, I would not condemn any of the sellers. If they were accuraely described, Caveat emptor applies

Norm

Thanks Guys for responding and the welcome.

What I am looking for is, what mistakes did I make.
Firstly what would you value them at, ballpark? What would be a realistic price?
Secondly and you have identified a couple of errors, such as creases, short perf and badly stained.
Being a newcomer, what are the error's to look for?
What makes a $10k stamp become $8k in value?
Basic things to identify a reduction in the price.
The wallet is staying in the pocket for a while due to inexperience.

The Avatar I love, don't have one but would love to invest in a multiple ( 3 or more ) if someone has one.

Thanks again.

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Kind Regards
DG

I've got a lovely single for sale as it happens - identical to your avatar in all respects...

I'm trying to work out if thats a crease or in fact a small tear in an otherwise nice 5/- Bridge (It's a wee bit off centre but that's common enough) it is still quite a nice stamp by the look of it...

Scuzz

You are welcome.



Perhaps none. It completely depends upon what you paid for the items.



As I said earlier, without seeing the actual stamps, rather than scans, it is impossible to tell. I thought originally that the Bridge may be a crease. Scuzz has now put in my mind that it might be a (well) repaired tear. This would substantially change it's value (downwards) if it was a repaired tear.



This could depend on so many factors that it is virtually impossible to answer briefly.

For a relatively easy to acquire stamp such as the 5/- Bridge, or the 6d Kooka that you have as an avatar, very well centred, perfect perforations, fresh unhinged (or very lightly hinged) gum, nice cancels on used for a start. For extremely rare items, you will not find a bargain on eBay unless you are exterely lucky. The market sets the rate.

There are too many variables.

Knowledge, experience and research is the key. Talking to dealers, the people on this board, subscribing to auction catalogues, buying trade and retail magazines, looking at dealers price lists, seeing how dealers rate quality as opposed to "normal", will teach you a lot. You are going in the right direction by asking questions.

Also, bear in mind that we cannot give investment advice on this board.

I started a thread a while ago about when Australian decimals were the flavour of the month. The first decimal series reached around the $350-$400 at it's peak. You can now pick up as many sets as you care for for around $25.00 each.

Norm

Hi All,

Thanks Norm for your information

Paid $306 for Harbour Bridge MLH - Joanne620
Paid $570 for the block of 10 Perforated - Melb Dealer Retail
Paid $385 for the Monogram MLH - Dealer Auction

The Bridge has a crease not a tear.

I have learnt today about the Dessert Magic Drying Book, turn it into a $450 stamp?

Thanks for your assistance.

_________________
Kind Regards
DG

Eaglemont, you're on the right track. I don't have as much experience as the other posters to your query. I think the following are important for all stamps.
Mint: *Perforations- none short or pulled especially corners.
*Centring- equal margins on all sides but acceptable if set slightly to one side/top/bottom. Not acceptable offcentre markedly in any direction or off centre in 2 directions.
*Gum condition- no tinting, staining, rust marks. Full original gum preferable but maybe light hinge mark for very earlies.
* Surface Condition - no stains, ceases, tears, thins, rub marks.

Used- similar to mint but without the gum.
These are the tangible things, then there are the intangibles-
Why do I want this stamp? Is it as a possible "investment"- to make money, to fill a hole in the collection, a rarity or just to give satisfaction of having a copy.
Other things to take into account- rarity- how often is this stamp offered for sale? Even on Ebay, some stamps are very rarely offered for sale.( even with a hyped sales pitch)
Catalogue values- a recent catalogue is a must just to give a figure on which to work, either up or down based on the above.
Recent auction prices, now many realizations are given on the internet.
How much money do I have in my pocket to spend ? Is it worth buying this stamp if I don't eat for a week?
Remembering as the others have already said, You can only truely judge by having the stamp in the flesh.

Is this stamp commonly forged or tampered with or changed? Does it look different from others I've seen or heard about?

Read, study and listen to the others who post on this board. They are generally fairly close to the mark and the trade.

Not all stamps come in perfect condition. The OS perfins are one example- It has been written that generally only the lesser quality sheets were perféd OS, so to find a perfect OS is difficult .
Remember perfect stamps sell at a premium, average at market value and damaged/lesser quality at a discount.
The only one who can decide what to pay ---is you.

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Waroff49

The last chapter of the Never_Ending Story is being written.

Mistakes?

Common to all three - terrible centering and crummy perfs.

You say you are an "investor" which indicates you hope to make a profit on these.

WRONG. In this grade you never will ... well maybe in 10 years you might get your money back - sorry.

Knowledge is power - you paid about DOUBLE ACSC for cruddy looking ½d monogram, which is a pretty common item.

If you do not buy catalogues or read them, and/or seek advice from someone you trust, you will often pay far too much.

The 2½d roo in multiples is pretty plentiful. Horrid centred like that with a large toning patch (which WILL get worse and far larger) I'd sell for $250 -- to give you an idea.

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Click HERE to see superb, RARE and unusual stamps, at FIXED low nett prices, high rez photos, and NO buyer fees etc!

Thank you Glen for your honest opinion.
Fortunately I have only purchased 9 items in the last 3 month's so damage will be limited. I have instructed my wife to go over the weekend to the little store in Forest Hills, see the two old guys and buy me a couple of books and send them to me over here in China. The wallet will be staying closed until I can get back and obtain some professional advice and guidance.

Thanks again Guys.

_________________
Kind Regards
DG

Hi "eaglemont".

You may not realise it, but this board has a team of 13 different volunteer moderators.

There are some very savvy dealers and experienced collectors among that group, and not much fools us. We have 24/7 open discussion of threads just like this among us on a private Moderator board.

We read with some interest your alleged purchase of this ½d monogram roo below off a dealer for $A385.

Well that's quite a co-incidence.

Seeing that we can all see that identical stamp is being offered on ebay by a Scottish based seller as this is typed, with 3 days to run .. price $A102 right now. Lot - 160124379712

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1-2d-Green-1st-W ... 6012437971

Clearly you can't have paid $A385 for it, when someone in Scotland is offering it for sale right now.

So we then did some checks on your IP address via our VERY nifty sleuth software we have here, and discover you are posting from NSW and not from China, as you claim to be.

We also found out a few more things that led us to believe you are not what or whom you say you are.

So we have banned your account, and blocked your IP address. And locked this thread to save other helpful members wasting time on your absurd thread.

Please do not try it again .. we are generally smarter on our worst day, than some folks are on their best day.

You may well have a perfect explanation .. if so please direct it to - admin at stampboards.com - if we accept it, your account will be re-instated.