If they are lightly stuck, then sometimes friction will separate them. I used to place a piece of plain paper over the front of the stamps, using a ice cream pop stick, or the handle of a spoon, rub the spot where they are stuck. Rub a minute or so, and then gently see if they will separate.
Someone told me to place the stamps in the freezer for a couple of hours, but I have never used this method.
I have a "Stsmplift Box" which is a plsstic box with a sponge in the bottom and the layer above has many hole in it and felt in the cover which
is probably 50 years old. I call it a sweat box and it generally does prety good but when separated the texture of the glue on th top stamp may be different and a bit of the glue wil be on the bottom stamp which should be removed before it dries. I have not been sucessful with
the freezer in the past.
Lionel,
I've used steam in the past with some success, such as from a tea kettle, but you have to be very careful and take your time. Nearly every time it has saved about 95% of the gum.
Take care not to scald yourself!
Randy
Are they still considered "mint" stamps. Their condition would certainly not be the same PO fresh.
Its been ages since I've steamed stamps and dont remember the glue condition after steaming.
Kathy
Dear Kathy,
The description of items like that, which are MNH but separated somehow should use the term "disturbed gum" to alert the buyer that it isn't MNH PO fresh.
Dan
...Dan is correct; they may still be 'MNH', but are also definitely described as 'disturbed gum'....
I personally wouldn't even refer to them as 'mint' anything at this point....but then there we go with the terms and definitions again...LOL
Once they are not 'Post Office fresh' as Kathy stated I personally don't think they should EVER be refered to as "mint" anything, period.
But, that's just me.
Randy B.
To me I would classify them as damaged stamps until I soaked them. I would then use a glue stick to put them on an envelope for postage. Then they would become postally used stamps.
I would think that a certain amount of the gum residue would surely stay on the surface or damage the surface of the stamp if you steamed them or put them in a sweat box.
The gum is definitely 'disturbed' if they have been stuck together.
Liz
Perhaps, someone might add to this discussion the meaning or interpretation of the often seen description "unused."
Bob
Bob,
unused is one of those wonderful terms that offers many possibilities without precision, but that indicates, at a minimum that the stamp has not seen obvious postal duty but that it is no longer MNH for one reason or another. Generally, it should be used in conjunction with some other modefier, such as no gum, disturbed gum, or some other description that indicates why it is not MNH. You typically will see this with older stamps, with the assumption that it was never used to convey the mail but that it has lost all or part of its gum.
David
David,
That is exactly the reason why I did not post in the form of a question.
My thinking is that disturbed gum, etc. should in no way be considered mint. Perhaps, we should also consider that saying something is "mint lightly hinged" is a contradiction, because it no longer resembles the issue that came right from the issuing source.
To my mind, "NH" (never hinged) is actually superfluous. If something is mint it is mint by definition. Anything else would be either "unused" (postally speaking) or "used".
Bob
(Message edited by Boston_Bob on April 03, 2009)
Boston Bob,
we are in complete agreement on this nomenclature. However, we are also in the minority in terms of usage. As an editor, I strive for precision; as an amateur student of linguistics, i've come to accept the will of the majority and just assume that language is a living organism over which we have little control.
David
When I post an item in the auction, I use MNH or if it is not MNH I use the terms Unused/Hinged, Unused/Hinge Remnant, Unused/Disturbed Gum. When I am documenting the stamp for my inventory I just log MH or MHR or MDG. Typing Unused in the description area of the auction takes up 2 more valuable characters than the word Mint but I use Unused as to not offend the purists.
Bob
And, of course, there are those "unused" stamps -- we receive them in the mail almost daily -- that are sometimes called "skips" because they weren't cancelled at all, but have done postal duty.
I understand that in the U.S. it is illegal to re-use these stamps on mail. In Canada, there are no postal regulations against using them, and all the collectors I know keep a gluestick handy.
Local auction houses often sell large lots of uncancelled, on-paper stamps. Other dealers are often the highest bidders, and the lots don't go cheaply, but of course the hammer prices are always well under face value.
Bob Ingraham
I believe the listings in Scotts sort of hints at the condition differences.
1st is mint.But is contradicted when a second listing says- never hinged.
This implies that the 1st listing may have damage related properties,especialy a hinge mark or remnant,,or possibly disturbed gum.
To separate these listings I consider MNH as the PO fresh stamp, one that has any form of damage as unused, as well as one that saw postal duty,but did not get canceled.Used is not just no gum,but also has a cancel.The cancel shows postal duty.One could call those soaked off stamps with no cancels as used,but it begs more info.It could well be just a stamp that was mint,,stuck together ,that a collector soaked or steamed apart and no,or little gum remained on the stamp.
So I would say mint never hinged,mint w/disturbed gum, unused/no gum,,used (with cancel).
I've seen many variations on terms being used.It takes a bit of study,but one can usually figure out what is ment, know,or most often know, which of the terms they are describing.
Of course there are the occassional useages that throw you a curve,like "used/never hinged","almost mint","never used" .
TOM
The secret to separate stuck stamps,,,there is none.
No matter what method you try,no matter what result you get,, they are no longer mint.
You may do more harm than good trying to separate them. Not just the gum,but the face of the stamp may be damaged,maybe only slightly,but damaged none the less.
You are better off soaking them apart,and turning them into nice examples of unused/no gum. They are better than,more valuable than,a pile of damaged stamps,,both gum and face--which,unless very highly valued(monetarily),are just about worthless to both the colector and the dealers who try to make a profit.
They become "fillers", those stamps you put in you collection until you can find a better replcement.
TOM
Dear All,
Is there a thought here that we, in SOR, ought to try to define/redefine the nomenclature used so that we can be more accurate in our in-house auction listings?
Dan C.
Harley, I agree! I've seen way too many collectors agonize over this question and waste time trying to find some Holy Grail of separating stuck-together stamps. It's an impossible quest, kind of like trying to find an honest mortgage lender or a real journalist on Fox News.
Soak 'em, use them as fillers, use them as collectable keepers if you are content with that.
We really do have a "thing" about the backs of stamps. I confess that even I prefer MNH, although if the price is right, I'll buy a stamp with a hinge remnant or damaged gum.
I have soaked MNH stamps that had become impossibly curled because of heavy gum. You should soak some stamps if their gum, for any of several reasons, might damage the stamp.
One nice thing about collecting stamps issued by North Vietenam and the Viet Cong is that they were issued without gum.
Bob Ingraham
(Message edited by Bobstamp on April 03, 2009)
Dan et al,
I think that guidelines would be a good idea, but we know that we can't enforce them. I no longer buy from one dealer because he almost never provides descriptions of the stamps, or catalogue value, or anything. You have his scanned images to look at, which don't show the backs of the stamps and are too small to see useful detail.
I've decided that it's a fact of the free-market system: He does a poor job of advertising his wares, I get stung once by poor-quality stamps, I no longer buy from him. His loss. My loss too, because many of his stamps are very interesting and I would bid on them if I had more assurance of quality.
Anyway, yes, I think it would be great to have a set of guidelines for dealers to follow. Some of them wouldn't even have to bother reading them, because they already do a great job.
Bob Ingraham
Personally, I'm against enforcing a particular nomenclature for SOR's auction. There are just too many different conventions out there. Bottom line is that we get no complaints from mis- or poorly described lots, and so while we may say things differently, we are generally understanding one another just fine.
I'm not thinking of laws here, because enforcement is just not possible. But it's clear, at least to me, that some of our dealers are not very experienced and could benefit from suggestions of how better to list their offerings. Buyers, too, want philatelic knowledge. If that weren't so, this discussion board wouldn't exist.
An example of the need for education is a current Stamporama auction offering of some U.S. pre-cancelled stamps that are described as "used". In fact, there is no such thing as a mint pre-cancel, and to say a pre-cancel is "used" is redundant. Pre-cancels are by definition used, but a novice collector might buy one of those lots thinking that he or she had purchased postally used stamps with odd-looking cancellations. If some were indeed not used postally, we'd be responding to a question like this: "I just bought some used U.S. stamps in the auction. The cancellations are parallel lines with the names of cities between the lines, but some of the stamps have gum on them. What's going on here?"
We would answer the question of course, but the collector who bought those stamps might learn that he or she didn't really want them, but bought them through a lack of knowledge about pre-cancels. An accurate description would in this scenario have been useful.
Our bylaws state that education is one of the goals of Stamporama. All I'm suggesting is that sellers' guidelines and suggestions would facilitate that goal.
Bob Ingraham
(Message edited by Bobstamp on April 03, 2009)
Bob's observation that a sellers' guideline and suggestions would help to facilitate education (which is one of the goals of Stamporama ) resonates with me. With that in mind, perhaps a listing of terms with their definitions might be appropriate.You've alerted us to a number of terms generally used, often without a clear understanding:
"mint" stamps,"disturbed gum", "MNH PO fresh","mint never hinged","mint w/disturbed gum", "unused/no gum","used (with cancel)","postally used", "damaged",
Would it be helpful to sellers & buyers in our in-house auction to try to better define the meanings of these terms as we describe our offerings? Or are we perhaps better off just leaving everything the way it is?
The enforcement issue could be addressed as follows: If a seller describes his items in a way that the buyer was fooled by it, then the seller is obligated to reverse the deal if the buyer is unhappy with it. This would force the seller to try to be as accurate as possible (using definitions we can agree upon and could post as guidelines), and for the buyer to exert care in understanding the meanings of terms used.
Or is this all just too much effort for too little gain?
Dan C.
I like the idea of having uniform descriptions of lots so everyone knows roughly what they're getting; but I wouldn't want to take it too far.
I've always used the following designations for "mint" stamps, both on SOR and for my own collections:
MNH - Mint, never hinged
MH - Mint hinged
M-DG - Mint, disturbed gum
M-NG - Mint, no gum
If I'm talking about a more valuable stamp, I'll go into more detail about the condition (for example, light hinge vs. heavy hinge or hinge remnant). As far as used stamps go, if there's gum on the back and a too-nice corner cancel, I'll call it a CTO; but I can't always make that call. I leave the details in the scan to ultimately show off a stamp's qualities during an auction.
I try to stay away from the other famous designations - XF, VF, F, VG, G - because I have rarely found two descriptions of the same stamp that are identical (don't even get me started on graded stamps!). My Polish stamp collection is filled with CTOs; but it looks remarkably similar to my Latvian collection because of Latvia's use of CDS cancels and the clarity of their postmarks. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
My point is that we are such a diverse group of collectors that all attempts to define standards beyond the basics will not work for everyone. Dan's point about the buyer having the right to try to reverse a deal if he/she feels that something received wasn't described properly is absolutely right. From a seller's point of view, I am always happy to offer a money back guarantee. If I didn't, it's very likely that the buyer would never bid on any of my items EVER again. I think we should encourage everyone to use that other link in the individual auction descriptions if there are any questions whatsoever - by clicking on the seller's nickname, you can send an email to the seller with any questions you have.
What do you think? MNH, MH,M-DG, M-NG?
Hi
I try to use the MNH MH Then in desciption box I will usually clarify it some more, mint damaged gum, mint with hinge remnant, mint no gum
lpayette
I use the term "unused" when referring to uncancelled hinged stamps.
Richaard
Regarding gum, the US Columbian stamps have a gum on them that is heavy, and in some cases can crack the stamp. I have seen notices in the past to soak the gum off these stamps to preserve them, but I do not know anyone that has ever done this. When you see a stamp from this series with a nice smooth gum on the back, you can bet your bottom dollar that it has been regummed.
As to the precanceled stamps with full, original,undisturbed gum--
they do exist.
most catalog value listings are in the "used" columns,because they ARE canceled,, and rightly so given the "used" designation, as it's condition.
Bureau Precancels have pre printed cancels,town and type precancels are applied at the town,or business location.Sometimes a roller type,sometimes individualy.
You can buy the Bureaus from USPS,but you will need a special permit to use them.
So they do exist,, usually listed as "mint", but are really unused,original gum.
One could list them as precancels with mint gum,as a description,but it would confuse the average collector who is unfamiliar with the terminology and could misinterpret the meaning.
An easy listing (IMHO), would be -precancels, with original gum.
TOM
Rules and regulations for posting in the auction/descriptions---
We dont need rules or LAWS for this.
If anything, you could add a list of suggestions,to help the sellers present a favorable,honest,descripton of the stamps.
Under the suggestions you can list several terms used for this purpose,and let the seller choose what's close to (in their opinion) the correct term for what they are presenting,and/or it's condition.
Suggestions are not laws,but helpful hints.
TOM
From the Ask Phil glossary: "Unused: 1: a stamp in mint condition as purchased from the post office. 2: a stamp that has no gum or is re-gummed."
I have never before seen a mint hinged stamp referred to as unused. Richard can use it if it he wishes, but I think he stands alone, way out in left philatelic field. I would assume that he was referring to an un-cancelled stamp without gum.
Bob Ingraham
Little did I know that my quiry would spark so many thoughts and comments.
I like "unused w/disturbed gum".
Ask Phil might be the expert but I certainly do not agree with his #2 of "unused" stamps. But then what do I know.
Kathy
Dear All,
We seem to be in somewhat general agreement that:
1)better definitions might be useful
2)enforcement is to be voluntary, with the dealer offering to reverse the deal if the buyer feels that the description was improper/inadequate
3)it be viewed as a list of suggestions,to help the sellers present a favorable,honest,description of the stamps
4)we could list several terms used for this purpose,and let the seller choose what's close to (in their opinion) the correct term for what they are presenting,and/or it's condition.
If the above reflects our thinking accurately, then the next step would be to form a committee to get a list of terms together and to suggest definitions of the terms selected.
Once this is done, a more formal presentation could then be made to the VC for their consideration. Count me in to assist in any way with such a committee, should we decide that it is appropriate to form one.
Dan C.
Bob,
Nope, I refer to a stamp with gum but with a hinge mark as unused hinged; also mint hinged, but it really does not matter what you call it as long as it is explained, for in my price lists, if a stamp is either, I place a * next to the catalog number with the definition * = mint hinged.
As I reflect on this question, I think mint hinged best describes it.
Richaard
If we WERE the philatelic language police, I think the exercise would be worthwhile; as we're late comers, and a small slice at that, I think trying to get our small sample to observe rules on which we barely, loosely agree will be futile.
I love the precision of language, or at least its possiblity. Here, as long as terms are understood, I'm fine with it. We may not all agree that MLH is the best term to describe an unused stamp with its gum completely or mostly intact but showing signs, if only a shadow, of a current or former hinge, but at least we all know exactly, or pretty much, what is meant, and I"m fine with that.
And yes, there are oddities: a precancelled stamp that hasn't seen postal duty and hasn't been mounted with a hinge will look, from the sticky side, as if it's mint, and yet, by definition, any stamp that is cancelled, regardless of how, is "used." Service-inscribed stamps are an even odder species.
I do think it might be useful to use this board when we see a term in the auction being misused, although we need to be careful that we're not merely describing our preferential nomenclature rather than correcting inaccuracies.
David
Dear David,
Then, as I read your observations, you're suggesting that we NOT try to make anything more formal and NOT to consider establishing guidelines for sellers/buyers beyond what we already have. That we keep our eyes open and if we spot terms being misused, that we return to our board here to sound off. Have I misunderstood your position?
Dan
David is correct - we can make all the terms and definition lists we want, but enforcing them would require nothing less than a KGB unit to do so.
I too, would love for all to use the same terms and definitions - especially the ones that I agree with!!
As he said, as long as terms are understood I'm fine with that. If you have a question in regard to a term in a posting, ask the person posting it. I'm sure they will be happy to explain themselves.
To expect everyone to go along with a set list of terms is unrealistic if not impossible.
My 2 Cents,
Randy B.
Dan, you and Randy both read me correctly. There's little need, and no reason, to do so. I am not against a listing of philatelic terms, but meant as a way of schooling folks new to collecting, rather than an attempt to standardize the language of collecting. Heck, i've given up and now use MLH to describe something that is more accurately described as original gum previously hinged because, in either case, everyone knows what i mean. So, if anyone is interested in undertaking such a task, i'll support it, and even edit it, but wouldn't dream of trying to make it a standard.
David
Dear Kathy-
What a wonderful discussion you initiated!! Now to see if we wish to concretize it further or to let it be as is. Below are the many and diverse terms we apparently use to describe items:
-----------------------------------------------
"mint" stamps,"disturbed gum", "MNH PO fresh","mint never hinged","mint w/disturbed gum","unused w/disturbed gum" "unused/no gum","used (with cancel)","postally used", "damaged", MNH - Mint, never hinged,regummed
MH - Mint hinged
M-DG - Mint, disturbed gum
M-NG - Mint, no gum MLH is the best term to describe an unused stamp with its gum completely or mostly intact.
And yes, there are oddities: a precancelled stamp that hasn't seen postal duty and hasn't been mounted with a hinge will look, from the sticky side, as if it's mint, and yet, by definition, any stamp that is cancelled, regardless of how, is "used." Service-inscribed stamps are an even odder species.CTO's are another branch also.
------------------------------------------------
So far we have 2 volunteers (David & Dan) for a potential committee if we decide it's worthwhile to proceed. The goal of the committee would be to list terms for sellers/buyers to try to help them in determining the offered stamp's condition. If successful, the committee would then forward the results to the VC for their consideration.
I believe that is where we're at at this time. Our next task would be to decide if we form a committee or not. What say you all?
Dan
Well, I'm also willing to volunteer my assistance in putting this descriptive list together....if we all agree to do so.
My time is yours, gentlemen....let me know!
Randy B.
I'd also like to help develop this list.
Ralph
In answer to the question " Our next task would be to decide if we form a committee or not. What say you all?" the following are the committee volunteers so far:
David,Ralph,Randy, Dan
By later tonight we'll make it more official, so that others who might be interested can still join us if they'd wish.
I'd suggest that we swap email addresses and continue our committee meetings off this board and just between ourselves. What do you think?
Dan
cohendaniel64@yahoo.com
Count me in if you need an extra!
Andrew
busmanis (at) primus.ca
Just popped thru this and have a small thought- the question is as the lawyer exclaimed, "asked and answered". Best way to come into line with the accepted practices is obtain "A guide to grading and expertizing for free or small cost by PSE< professional stamp experts , the guy's who give smq prices causing us all pay more for less.....po box 6170
newport beach ca 92658.
In a nutshell
ognh= original gum never hinged.
ogph= " " previously ".
ogh= " " hinged, showing mark or remanant.
dog= disturbed original gum, after you remove ,unstick or otherwise manipulate gum.
pog= part og ,wear and tear but some os yet original remains.
ng= no gum- soaked or removed.
ngai = no gum as issued
rg= regummed, a tough feild. I use a microscope.for suspected items, light and reference items to compare.
ON PRECANCELS:
precancels are not used by definition if bureau precancelled, and each city town,must be on a case by case basis. The bureau does many of these also.
Dear Brian,
An interesting post. I personally have a problem with ogph= original gum previously hinged.
ogh= orig. gum hinged, showing mark or remnant.
dog= disturbed original gum, after you remove ,unstick or otherwise manipulate gum.
Don't all 3 designations refer to a mint item that has a hinge mark on the gum? The distinctions seem to be pretty slight between them, except for perhaps the disturbed gum designation.
Am I missing something here? Randy & Andrew will be rolling out a rough draft shortly. Let's wait until we see it and then we can all weigh in. Sound like a plan?
Dan
Hi there. Are there any secret new methods of separating mint stamps stuck together without ruining them. Is my only choice to soak them and lose the gum, or are there any other methods someone knows. I have some STAMP LIFT FLUID but that doesn't seem to work well on mint stamps...it is only good for removing hinges and even then it seems to leave a stain. Any help would be much appreciated. Please email me at lotreetops@msn.com
Thanks, Lionel
Thanks and best wishes, Lionel
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
If they are lightly stuck, then sometimes friction will separate them. I used to place a piece of plain paper over the front of the stamps, using a ice cream pop stick, or the handle of a spoon, rub the spot where they are stuck. Rub a minute or so, and then gently see if they will separate.
Someone told me to place the stamps in the freezer for a couple of hours, but I have never used this method.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
I have a "Stsmplift Box" which is a plsstic box with a sponge in the bottom and the layer above has many hole in it and felt in the cover which
is probably 50 years old. I call it a sweat box and it generally does prety good but when separated the texture of the glue on th top stamp may be different and a bit of the glue wil be on the bottom stamp which should be removed before it dries. I have not been sucessful with
the freezer in the past.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Lionel,
I've used steam in the past with some success, such as from a tea kettle, but you have to be very careful and take your time. Nearly every time it has saved about 95% of the gum.
Take care not to scald yourself!
Randy
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Are they still considered "mint" stamps. Their condition would certainly not be the same PO fresh.
Its been ages since I've steamed stamps and dont remember the glue condition after steaming.
Kathy
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Dear Kathy,
The description of items like that, which are MNH but separated somehow should use the term "disturbed gum" to alert the buyer that it isn't MNH PO fresh.
Dan
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
...Dan is correct; they may still be 'MNH', but are also definitely described as 'disturbed gum'....
I personally wouldn't even refer to them as 'mint' anything at this point....but then there we go with the terms and definitions again...LOL
Once they are not 'Post Office fresh' as Kathy stated I personally don't think they should EVER be refered to as "mint" anything, period.
But, that's just me.
Randy B.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
To me I would classify them as damaged stamps until I soaked them. I would then use a glue stick to put them on an envelope for postage. Then they would become postally used stamps.
I would think that a certain amount of the gum residue would surely stay on the surface or damage the surface of the stamp if you steamed them or put them in a sweat box.
The gum is definitely 'disturbed' if they have been stuck together.
Liz
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Perhaps, someone might add to this discussion the meaning or interpretation of the often seen description "unused."
Bob
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Bob,
unused is one of those wonderful terms that offers many possibilities without precision, but that indicates, at a minimum that the stamp has not seen obvious postal duty but that it is no longer MNH for one reason or another. Generally, it should be used in conjunction with some other modefier, such as no gum, disturbed gum, or some other description that indicates why it is not MNH. You typically will see this with older stamps, with the assumption that it was never used to convey the mail but that it has lost all or part of its gum.
David
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
David,
That is exactly the reason why I did not post in the form of a question.
My thinking is that disturbed gum, etc. should in no way be considered mint. Perhaps, we should also consider that saying something is "mint lightly hinged" is a contradiction, because it no longer resembles the issue that came right from the issuing source.
To my mind, "NH" (never hinged) is actually superfluous. If something is mint it is mint by definition. Anything else would be either "unused" (postally speaking) or "used".
Bob
(Message edited by Boston_Bob on April 03, 2009)
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Boston Bob,
we are in complete agreement on this nomenclature. However, we are also in the minority in terms of usage. As an editor, I strive for precision; as an amateur student of linguistics, i've come to accept the will of the majority and just assume that language is a living organism over which we have little control.
David
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
When I post an item in the auction, I use MNH or if it is not MNH I use the terms Unused/Hinged, Unused/Hinge Remnant, Unused/Disturbed Gum. When I am documenting the stamp for my inventory I just log MH or MHR or MDG. Typing Unused in the description area of the auction takes up 2 more valuable characters than the word Mint but I use Unused as to not offend the purists.
Bob
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
And, of course, there are those "unused" stamps -- we receive them in the mail almost daily -- that are sometimes called "skips" because they weren't cancelled at all, but have done postal duty.
I understand that in the U.S. it is illegal to re-use these stamps on mail. In Canada, there are no postal regulations against using them, and all the collectors I know keep a gluestick handy.
Local auction houses often sell large lots of uncancelled, on-paper stamps. Other dealers are often the highest bidders, and the lots don't go cheaply, but of course the hammer prices are always well under face value.
Bob Ingraham
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
I believe the listings in Scotts sort of hints at the condition differences.
1st is mint.But is contradicted when a second listing says- never hinged.
This implies that the 1st listing may have damage related properties,especialy a hinge mark or remnant,,or possibly disturbed gum.
To separate these listings I consider MNH as the PO fresh stamp, one that has any form of damage as unused, as well as one that saw postal duty,but did not get canceled.Used is not just no gum,but also has a cancel.The cancel shows postal duty.One could call those soaked off stamps with no cancels as used,but it begs more info.It could well be just a stamp that was mint,,stuck together ,that a collector soaked or steamed apart and no,or little gum remained on the stamp.
So I would say mint never hinged,mint w/disturbed gum, unused/no gum,,used (with cancel).
I've seen many variations on terms being used.It takes a bit of study,but one can usually figure out what is ment, know,or most often know, which of the terms they are describing.
Of course there are the occassional useages that throw you a curve,like "used/never hinged","almost mint","never used" .
TOM
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
The secret to separate stuck stamps,,,there is none.
No matter what method you try,no matter what result you get,, they are no longer mint.
You may do more harm than good trying to separate them. Not just the gum,but the face of the stamp may be damaged,maybe only slightly,but damaged none the less.
You are better off soaking them apart,and turning them into nice examples of unused/no gum. They are better than,more valuable than,a pile of damaged stamps,,both gum and face--which,unless very highly valued(monetarily),are just about worthless to both the colector and the dealers who try to make a profit.
They become "fillers", those stamps you put in you collection until you can find a better replcement.
TOM
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Dear All,
Is there a thought here that we, in SOR, ought to try to define/redefine the nomenclature used so that we can be more accurate in our in-house auction listings?
Dan C.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Harley, I agree! I've seen way too many collectors agonize over this question and waste time trying to find some Holy Grail of separating stuck-together stamps. It's an impossible quest, kind of like trying to find an honest mortgage lender or a real journalist on Fox News.
Soak 'em, use them as fillers, use them as collectable keepers if you are content with that.
We really do have a "thing" about the backs of stamps. I confess that even I prefer MNH, although if the price is right, I'll buy a stamp with a hinge remnant or damaged gum.
I have soaked MNH stamps that had become impossibly curled because of heavy gum. You should soak some stamps if their gum, for any of several reasons, might damage the stamp.
One nice thing about collecting stamps issued by North Vietenam and the Viet Cong is that they were issued without gum.
Bob Ingraham
(Message edited by Bobstamp on April 03, 2009)
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Dan et al,
I think that guidelines would be a good idea, but we know that we can't enforce them. I no longer buy from one dealer because he almost never provides descriptions of the stamps, or catalogue value, or anything. You have his scanned images to look at, which don't show the backs of the stamps and are too small to see useful detail.
I've decided that it's a fact of the free-market system: He does a poor job of advertising his wares, I get stung once by poor-quality stamps, I no longer buy from him. His loss. My loss too, because many of his stamps are very interesting and I would bid on them if I had more assurance of quality.
Anyway, yes, I think it would be great to have a set of guidelines for dealers to follow. Some of them wouldn't even have to bother reading them, because they already do a great job.
Bob Ingraham
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Personally, I'm against enforcing a particular nomenclature for SOR's auction. There are just too many different conventions out there. Bottom line is that we get no complaints from mis- or poorly described lots, and so while we may say things differently, we are generally understanding one another just fine.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
I'm not thinking of laws here, because enforcement is just not possible. But it's clear, at least to me, that some of our dealers are not very experienced and could benefit from suggestions of how better to list their offerings. Buyers, too, want philatelic knowledge. If that weren't so, this discussion board wouldn't exist.
An example of the need for education is a current Stamporama auction offering of some U.S. pre-cancelled stamps that are described as "used". In fact, there is no such thing as a mint pre-cancel, and to say a pre-cancel is "used" is redundant. Pre-cancels are by definition used, but a novice collector might buy one of those lots thinking that he or she had purchased postally used stamps with odd-looking cancellations. If some were indeed not used postally, we'd be responding to a question like this: "I just bought some used U.S. stamps in the auction. The cancellations are parallel lines with the names of cities between the lines, but some of the stamps have gum on them. What's going on here?"
We would answer the question of course, but the collector who bought those stamps might learn that he or she didn't really want them, but bought them through a lack of knowledge about pre-cancels. An accurate description would in this scenario have been useful.
Our bylaws state that education is one of the goals of Stamporama. All I'm suggesting is that sellers' guidelines and suggestions would facilitate that goal.
Bob Ingraham
(Message edited by Bobstamp on April 03, 2009)
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Bob's observation that a sellers' guideline and suggestions would help to facilitate education (which is one of the goals of Stamporama ) resonates with me. With that in mind, perhaps a listing of terms with their definitions might be appropriate.You've alerted us to a number of terms generally used, often without a clear understanding:
"mint" stamps,"disturbed gum", "MNH PO fresh","mint never hinged","mint w/disturbed gum", "unused/no gum","used (with cancel)","postally used", "damaged",
Would it be helpful to sellers & buyers in our in-house auction to try to better define the meanings of these terms as we describe our offerings? Or are we perhaps better off just leaving everything the way it is?
The enforcement issue could be addressed as follows: If a seller describes his items in a way that the buyer was fooled by it, then the seller is obligated to reverse the deal if the buyer is unhappy with it. This would force the seller to try to be as accurate as possible (using definitions we can agree upon and could post as guidelines), and for the buyer to exert care in understanding the meanings of terms used.
Or is this all just too much effort for too little gain?
Dan C.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
I like the idea of having uniform descriptions of lots so everyone knows roughly what they're getting; but I wouldn't want to take it too far.
I've always used the following designations for "mint" stamps, both on SOR and for my own collections:
MNH - Mint, never hinged
MH - Mint hinged
M-DG - Mint, disturbed gum
M-NG - Mint, no gum
If I'm talking about a more valuable stamp, I'll go into more detail about the condition (for example, light hinge vs. heavy hinge or hinge remnant). As far as used stamps go, if there's gum on the back and a too-nice corner cancel, I'll call it a CTO; but I can't always make that call. I leave the details in the scan to ultimately show off a stamp's qualities during an auction.
I try to stay away from the other famous designations - XF, VF, F, VG, G - because I have rarely found two descriptions of the same stamp that are identical (don't even get me started on graded stamps!). My Polish stamp collection is filled with CTOs; but it looks remarkably similar to my Latvian collection because of Latvia's use of CDS cancels and the clarity of their postmarks. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
My point is that we are such a diverse group of collectors that all attempts to define standards beyond the basics will not work for everyone. Dan's point about the buyer having the right to try to reverse a deal if he/she feels that something received wasn't described properly is absolutely right. From a seller's point of view, I am always happy to offer a money back guarantee. If I didn't, it's very likely that the buyer would never bid on any of my items EVER again. I think we should encourage everyone to use that other link in the individual auction descriptions if there are any questions whatsoever - by clicking on the seller's nickname, you can send an email to the seller with any questions you have.
What do you think? MNH, MH,M-DG, M-NG?
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Hi
I try to use the MNH MH Then in desciption box I will usually clarify it some more, mint damaged gum, mint with hinge remnant, mint no gum
lpayette
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
I use the term "unused" when referring to uncancelled hinged stamps.
Richaard
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Regarding gum, the US Columbian stamps have a gum on them that is heavy, and in some cases can crack the stamp. I have seen notices in the past to soak the gum off these stamps to preserve them, but I do not know anyone that has ever done this. When you see a stamp from this series with a nice smooth gum on the back, you can bet your bottom dollar that it has been regummed.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
As to the precanceled stamps with full, original,undisturbed gum--
they do exist.
most catalog value listings are in the "used" columns,because they ARE canceled,, and rightly so given the "used" designation, as it's condition.
Bureau Precancels have pre printed cancels,town and type precancels are applied at the town,or business location.Sometimes a roller type,sometimes individualy.
You can buy the Bureaus from USPS,but you will need a special permit to use them.
So they do exist,, usually listed as "mint", but are really unused,original gum.
One could list them as precancels with mint gum,as a description,but it would confuse the average collector who is unfamiliar with the terminology and could misinterpret the meaning.
An easy listing (IMHO), would be -precancels, with original gum.
TOM
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Rules and regulations for posting in the auction/descriptions---
We dont need rules or LAWS for this.
If anything, you could add a list of suggestions,to help the sellers present a favorable,honest,descripton of the stamps.
Under the suggestions you can list several terms used for this purpose,and let the seller choose what's close to (in their opinion) the correct term for what they are presenting,and/or it's condition.
Suggestions are not laws,but helpful hints.
TOM
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
From the Ask Phil glossary: "Unused: 1: a stamp in mint condition as purchased from the post office. 2: a stamp that has no gum or is re-gummed."
I have never before seen a mint hinged stamp referred to as unused. Richard can use it if it he wishes, but I think he stands alone, way out in left philatelic field. I would assume that he was referring to an un-cancelled stamp without gum.
Bob Ingraham
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Little did I know that my quiry would spark so many thoughts and comments.
I like "unused w/disturbed gum".
Ask Phil might be the expert but I certainly do not agree with his #2 of "unused" stamps. But then what do I know.
Kathy
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Dear All,
We seem to be in somewhat general agreement that:
1)better definitions might be useful
2)enforcement is to be voluntary, with the dealer offering to reverse the deal if the buyer feels that the description was improper/inadequate
3)it be viewed as a list of suggestions,to help the sellers present a favorable,honest,description of the stamps
4)we could list several terms used for this purpose,and let the seller choose what's close to (in their opinion) the correct term for what they are presenting,and/or it's condition.
If the above reflects our thinking accurately, then the next step would be to form a committee to get a list of terms together and to suggest definitions of the terms selected.
Once this is done, a more formal presentation could then be made to the VC for their consideration. Count me in to assist in any way with such a committee, should we decide that it is appropriate to form one.
Dan C.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Bob,
Nope, I refer to a stamp with gum but with a hinge mark as unused hinged; also mint hinged, but it really does not matter what you call it as long as it is explained, for in my price lists, if a stamp is either, I place a * next to the catalog number with the definition * = mint hinged.
As I reflect on this question, I think mint hinged best describes it.
Richaard
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
If we WERE the philatelic language police, I think the exercise would be worthwhile; as we're late comers, and a small slice at that, I think trying to get our small sample to observe rules on which we barely, loosely agree will be futile.
I love the precision of language, or at least its possiblity. Here, as long as terms are understood, I'm fine with it. We may not all agree that MLH is the best term to describe an unused stamp with its gum completely or mostly intact but showing signs, if only a shadow, of a current or former hinge, but at least we all know exactly, or pretty much, what is meant, and I"m fine with that.
And yes, there are oddities: a precancelled stamp that hasn't seen postal duty and hasn't been mounted with a hinge will look, from the sticky side, as if it's mint, and yet, by definition, any stamp that is cancelled, regardless of how, is "used." Service-inscribed stamps are an even odder species.
I do think it might be useful to use this board when we see a term in the auction being misused, although we need to be careful that we're not merely describing our preferential nomenclature rather than correcting inaccuracies.
David
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Dear David,
Then, as I read your observations, you're suggesting that we NOT try to make anything more formal and NOT to consider establishing guidelines for sellers/buyers beyond what we already have. That we keep our eyes open and if we spot terms being misused, that we return to our board here to sound off. Have I misunderstood your position?
Dan
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
David is correct - we can make all the terms and definition lists we want, but enforcing them would require nothing less than a KGB unit to do so.
I too, would love for all to use the same terms and definitions - especially the ones that I agree with!!
As he said, as long as terms are understood I'm fine with that. If you have a question in regard to a term in a posting, ask the person posting it. I'm sure they will be happy to explain themselves.
To expect everyone to go along with a set list of terms is unrealistic if not impossible.
My 2 Cents,
Randy B.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Dan, you and Randy both read me correctly. There's little need, and no reason, to do so. I am not against a listing of philatelic terms, but meant as a way of schooling folks new to collecting, rather than an attempt to standardize the language of collecting. Heck, i've given up and now use MLH to describe something that is more accurately described as original gum previously hinged because, in either case, everyone knows what i mean. So, if anyone is interested in undertaking such a task, i'll support it, and even edit it, but wouldn't dream of trying to make it a standard.
David
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Dear Kathy-
What a wonderful discussion you initiated!! Now to see if we wish to concretize it further or to let it be as is. Below are the many and diverse terms we apparently use to describe items:
-----------------------------------------------
"mint" stamps,"disturbed gum", "MNH PO fresh","mint never hinged","mint w/disturbed gum","unused w/disturbed gum" "unused/no gum","used (with cancel)","postally used", "damaged", MNH - Mint, never hinged,regummed
MH - Mint hinged
M-DG - Mint, disturbed gum
M-NG - Mint, no gum MLH is the best term to describe an unused stamp with its gum completely or mostly intact.
And yes, there are oddities: a precancelled stamp that hasn't seen postal duty and hasn't been mounted with a hinge will look, from the sticky side, as if it's mint, and yet, by definition, any stamp that is cancelled, regardless of how, is "used." Service-inscribed stamps are an even odder species.CTO's are another branch also.
------------------------------------------------
So far we have 2 volunteers (David & Dan) for a potential committee if we decide it's worthwhile to proceed. The goal of the committee would be to list terms for sellers/buyers to try to help them in determining the offered stamp's condition. If successful, the committee would then forward the results to the VC for their consideration.
I believe that is where we're at at this time. Our next task would be to decide if we form a committee or not. What say you all?
Dan
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Well, I'm also willing to volunteer my assistance in putting this descriptive list together....if we all agree to do so.
My time is yours, gentlemen....let me know!
Randy B.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
I'd also like to help develop this list.
Ralph
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
In answer to the question " Our next task would be to decide if we form a committee or not. What say you all?" the following are the committee volunteers so far:
David,Ralph,Randy, Dan
By later tonight we'll make it more official, so that others who might be interested can still join us if they'd wish.
I'd suggest that we swap email addresses and continue our committee meetings off this board and just between ourselves. What do you think?
Dan
cohendaniel64@yahoo.com
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Count me in if you need an extra!
Andrew
busmanis (at) primus.ca
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Just popped thru this and have a small thought- the question is as the lawyer exclaimed, "asked and answered". Best way to come into line with the accepted practices is obtain "A guide to grading and expertizing for free or small cost by PSE< professional stamp experts , the guy's who give smq prices causing us all pay more for less.....po box 6170
newport beach ca 92658.
In a nutshell
ognh= original gum never hinged.
ogph= " " previously ".
ogh= " " hinged, showing mark or remanant.
dog= disturbed original gum, after you remove ,unstick or otherwise manipulate gum.
pog= part og ,wear and tear but some os yet original remains.
ng= no gum- soaked or removed.
ngai = no gum as issued
rg= regummed, a tough feild. I use a microscope.for suspected items, light and reference items to compare.
ON PRECANCELS:
precancels are not used by definition if bureau precancelled, and each city town,must be on a case by case basis. The bureau does many of these also.
re: SEPARATING STUCK STAMPS, and discussion of mint vs unused and other nomenclature issues
Dear Brian,
An interesting post. I personally have a problem with ogph= original gum previously hinged.
ogh= orig. gum hinged, showing mark or remnant.
dog= disturbed original gum, after you remove ,unstick or otherwise manipulate gum.
Don't all 3 designations refer to a mint item that has a hinge mark on the gum? The distinctions seem to be pretty slight between them, except for perhaps the disturbed gum designation.
Am I missing something here? Randy & Andrew will be rolling out a rough draft shortly. Let's wait until we see it and then we can all weigh in. Sound like a plan?
Dan