Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Sometimes I come across stamps which when inspected with a magnifying glass one would notice some small spots usually black (not foxing) such as the attached image. When a stamp has such spots on the back, is it considered of inferior or damaged quality ?
Furthermore if the same spot does not correspond with a similar spot on the front of the stamps, where does they usually come from?
Kindly note that the image below is just an example.
Thank you in advance for your help.
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From the Stamp Smarter Glossary...
Inclusion (Natural Inclusion) - Any imperfection embedded in the stamp often of significantly different color than the stamp itself. Inclusions usually detract from the value of the stamp, but often only marginally.
Inclusion are often due to the paper making process and can include particles embedded in the paper itself. I cannot say for sure that the circled marks in your image are natural inclusions; higher resolution images are required to make a positive ID.
Don
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so, if I see the scan correctly, we might describe this as a mint hinged stamp with gum disturbance and production inclusions.
frankly, the hinge and subsequent gum disturbance will do enough to depress the value without worrying about the extra bits in the produciton process.
Note, this is of concern only to those who value their stamp backs pristine. Some of us don't, which is why we wouldn't pay a premium for a pristine back in the first place.
David
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Hi
Thank you very much both for your feedback. Actually the image was just an example as my question was more a generic one rather than specific.
The fact is that I notice many stamps that do not have pristine backs and I was wondering from where such spots would come from and if they could develop foxing to stamps.
Once again thank you.
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Some spot, especially the brownish ones, can be foxing, and can spread. Some spots can be ink the bled through to the back during the printing process if there was a small hole or thin in the paper. The gum could have been slightly activated from humidity, and picked up a piece of dirt. A pen could have been dropped on the stamp and the ink on the point bled through the paper. There are plenty of reasons and possibilities.
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"frankly, the hinge and subsequent gum disturbance will do enough to depress the value without worrying about the extra bits in the production process. "
Off topic a bit, but I have a philatelic acquaintance who told me he will only have a stamp in his collection with full undisturbed gum.
I bit my lip, because I wanted to suggest to him that he display his stamps gum side up, because that is where most of the value is.
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Technically, there can never be 100% undisturbed gum. As soon as someone/something touches the back of a stamp whether bare finger or gloved, something will transfer to the gum. You may need an electron microscope to see it, but for purists who demand 100% pure, even Ivory soap isn't 100%.
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If you do, then I won't buy.
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09:35:52am
" .... but for purists who demand 100% pure, even Ivory soap isn't 100%. ...."
But, "It Floats !"
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03:53:12am
Hi
Sometimes I come across stamps which when inspected with a magnifying glass one would notice some small spots usually black (not foxing) such as the attached image. When a stamp has such spots on the back, is it considered of inferior or damaged quality ?
Furthermore if the same spot does not correspond with a similar spot on the front of the stamps, where does they usually come from?
Kindly note that the image below is just an example.
Thank you in advance for your help.
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re: Back of stamps condition
From the Stamp Smarter Glossary...
Inclusion (Natural Inclusion) - Any imperfection embedded in the stamp often of significantly different color than the stamp itself. Inclusions usually detract from the value of the stamp, but often only marginally.
Inclusion are often due to the paper making process and can include particles embedded in the paper itself. I cannot say for sure that the circled marks in your image are natural inclusions; higher resolution images are required to make a positive ID.
Don
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re: Back of stamps condition
so, if I see the scan correctly, we might describe this as a mint hinged stamp with gum disturbance and production inclusions.
frankly, the hinge and subsequent gum disturbance will do enough to depress the value without worrying about the extra bits in the produciton process.
Note, this is of concern only to those who value their stamp backs pristine. Some of us don't, which is why we wouldn't pay a premium for a pristine back in the first place.
David
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10:51:54am
re: Back of stamps condition
Hi
Thank you very much both for your feedback. Actually the image was just an example as my question was more a generic one rather than specific.
The fact is that I notice many stamps that do not have pristine backs and I was wondering from where such spots would come from and if they could develop foxing to stamps.
Once again thank you.
Login to Like
this post
re: Back of stamps condition
Some spot, especially the brownish ones, can be foxing, and can spread. Some spots can be ink the bled through to the back during the printing process if there was a small hole or thin in the paper. The gum could have been slightly activated from humidity, and picked up a piece of dirt. A pen could have been dropped on the stamp and the ink on the point bled through the paper. There are plenty of reasons and possibilities.
Login to Like
this post
re: Back of stamps condition
"frankly, the hinge and subsequent gum disturbance will do enough to depress the value without worrying about the extra bits in the production process. "
Off topic a bit, but I have a philatelic acquaintance who told me he will only have a stamp in his collection with full undisturbed gum.
I bit my lip, because I wanted to suggest to him that he display his stamps gum side up, because that is where most of the value is.
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like this post.
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re: Back of stamps condition
Technically, there can never be 100% undisturbed gum. As soon as someone/something touches the back of a stamp whether bare finger or gloved, something will transfer to the gum. You may need an electron microscope to see it, but for purists who demand 100% pure, even Ivory soap isn't 100%.
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11:36:46am
re: Back of stamps condition
If you do, then I won't buy.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
10 Jun 2017
09:35:52am
re: Back of stamps condition
" .... but for purists who demand 100% pure, even Ivory soap isn't 100%. ...."
But, "It Floats !"
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