Tips for Submitting Stamps for Expertization

Submitting stamps for expertization can be a complex process that requires careful attention to detail. Whether you’re a passionate stamp collector or looking to sell a valuable stamp, expertizing is crucial to determine its authenticity and value. In this article, we will provide you with valuable tips on submitting stamps for expertization, helping you navigate this intricate process with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• Expertizing rare stamps can be easier than expertizing common ones due to the availability of information.
• Four factors are crucial in the expertization process: theoretical knowledge, experience, reference collection, and scientific instruments.
• Soundness and centering are important factors that impact a stamp’s value and desirability.
• Eye appeal, including color, impression, and cancellation, plays a significant role in determining a stamp’s value.
• Gum condition and the ability to detect forgeries are essential aspects of expertizing stamps.

The Four Factors in Expertizing

When it comes to expertizing stamps, there are four key factors that play a crucial role in the assessment process. These factors help experts make informed decisions about the authenticity, value, and overall quality of stamps.

The First Factor: Theoretical Knowledge

The first factor involves having a deep understanding of the stamp being expertized. This includes knowledge about its plate of origin, variations, and any exceptions. By being well-versed in the specific details of stamps, experts can identify unique characteristics that determine their authenticity.

The Second Factor: Experience

Experience is the second factor that contributes to an expert’s ability to accurately assess stamps. Through years of handling various stamps and becoming familiar with their properties, experts develop a keen eye for distinguishing genuine stamps from forgeries or alterations.

The Third Factor: Reference Collection

A comprehensive reference collection is an invaluable resource for expertizers. By comparing stamps under examination to known genuine stamps, experts can draw comparisons and identify any discrepancies or irregularities. This direct comparison plays a vital role in confirming the authenticity of a stamp.

The Fourth Factor: Scientific Instruments

Another essential aspect of expertizing stamps is the use of scientific instruments. Magnifying glasses and spectral-analytic instruments allow experts to examine stamps in detail, uncovering intricate features and characteristics that may not be visible to the naked eye. These instruments provide a more comprehensive analysis of the stamp’s authenticity and condition.

By considering these four factors – theoretical knowledge, experience, reference collection, and scientific instruments – expertizers have a solid foundation to make accurate assessments of stamps. This thorough and meticulous approach ensures that collectors receive reliable information about the authenticity and value of their stamps.

Determining Soundness

When expertizing stamps, one important aspect to consider is their soundness. Soundness refers to the absence of any faults such as creases, thins, toning, or repairs. Expertizers carefully examine stamps for any signs of damage or alterations that may affect their authenticity or condition. Soundness is determined through factual observations and findings, as well as the expertizer’s educated experience.

Minor faults, such as gum skips or light toning, may have a minimal impact on the overall soundness of a stamp, while major faults like creases or repairs can significantly affect its value.

Expertizers play a crucial role in determining the soundness of stamps. By meticulously evaluating every aspect of a stamp’s condition, they ensure that collectors receive accurate assessments of their stamps’ authenticity and value.

Determining Centering

Another crucial aspect of expertizing stamps is determining their centering. Centering refers to the balance of the design within the four margins of the stamp. Expertizers evaluate the position of the design in relation to the perforations using a centering scale and reference photo plates.

Perfect centering is a rare and highly valued trait in stamps, exhibiting meticulous craftsmanship. On the other hand, off-center or poorly centered stamps may have a lower value due to the visual asymmetry they present.

When determining centering, expertizers consider various factors such as the size of the margins and the location of the design. By carefully analyzing these elements, they assign a centering grade to the stamp, providing collectors with an assessment of its visual appeal and value.

To illustrate the significance of centering in stamp expertization, take a look at this example:

“The beautifully centered stamp showcases a perfectly balanced design, with equal distances between the design and the edges of the stamp. Its exceptional centering significantly enhances its desirability among collectors and commands a premium price.”

Expertizers utilize their expertise, experience, and precise tools to evaluate the centering of stamps, ensuring accurate assessments that collectors can rely on to make informed decisions.

Determining Centering – Visual representation of the importance of centering in stamp expertization.

Combining Centering and Soundness

When expertizing stamps, the factors of centering and soundness are closely analyzed together. This combination allows experts to provide a comprehensive assessment of a stamp’s overall condition and value. Stamps that exhibit perfect centering and are free from any faults are highly sought after among collectors, commanding premium prices in the market.

On the contrary, stamps with poor centering or significant faults may have a lower value due to their diminished desirability. Expertizers take into account the relative importance of centering and soundness, considering the specific stamp and its appeal in the collector’s market.

By evaluating both centering and soundness, expertizers can provide collectors with a comprehensive understanding of a stamp’s authenticity, condition, and value. This combined assessment allows collectors to make informed decisions when buying, selling, or investing in stamps, ensuring that they maximize the value of their collections.

Eye Appeal

When it comes to expertizing stamps, one cannot underestimate the importance of eye appeal. This term refers to the overall visual appeal of a stamp, encompassing elements such as color, impression, freshness, and cancellation. A stamp with vibrant colors, crisp impressions, and clean cancellations is considered to have better eye appeal, making it more desirable to collectors.

Expertizers carefully evaluate the aesthetics of a stamp, putting themselves in the shoes of potential buyers. They consider how the stamp’s design and condition would be perceived by collectors, and how it would stand out in a collection or display. Stamps with exceptional eye appeal tend to command a higher value and attract greater interest among philatelists.

Stamps with exceptional eye appeal tend to command a higher value and attract greater interest among philatelists.

Stamp design plays a crucial role in eye appeal. Intricate artwork, well-balanced layouts, and clear printing contribute to the visual appeal of a stamp. Collectors are often drawn to stamps that display creativity, historical significance, or cultural relevance in their designs.

Additionally, the condition of a stamp can greatly impact its eye appeal. Stamps without any significant flaws such as tears, stains, or heavy postmarks are generally more visually appealing. The overall freshness and cleanliness of a stamp can further enhance its eye appeal.

Expertizers rely on their experience and knowledge to assess the eye appeal of a stamp. Their expert eye allows them to evaluate the stamp’s visual characteristics and determine its appeal to collectors. By considering eye appeal in the expertization process, philatelists can better understand the market value and desirability of their stamps.

Gum Condition

When it comes to expertizing stamps, one crucial factor to consider is the condition of the gum. The gum on a stamp refers to the adhesive substance applied to the back, which allows the stamp to be attached to an envelope or other surfaces. Examining the gum condition is essential for determining the originality and undisturbed nature of a mint stamp.

Expertizers meticulously analyze the gum under normal lighting and magnification to identify any signs of regumming or repairs. They pay close attention to indicators such as new gum soaking into the paper tips around the perforations, discoloration, or any non-routine patterns that may suggest tampering.

The condition of the gum plays a significant role in assessing the overall grade and value of a stamp. A stamp with pristine, unaltered gum is highly desirable among collectors and can command a premium price. On the other hand, stamps with compromised gum condition may face a decrease in value.

Expertizers endeavor to provide accurate assessments of gum condition, ensuring that collectors have reliable information about the stamps in their possession. By considering the gum condition alongside other factors, such as soundness and centering, experts can provide a comprehensive evaluation of a stamp’s overall quality.

The importance of examining gum condition underscores the meticulous nature of stamp expertizing. A thorough assessment of all aspects of a stamp helps collectors determine its authenticity and value, ensuring that they make informed decisions about their philatelic investments.

Types of Forgeries

When it comes to expertizing stamps, it is essential for expertizers to have a solid understanding of the different types of forgeries that exist in the stamp collecting world. Forgeries can be created with the intention to defraud collectors or deceive postal authorities. They can range from amateurish attempts to highly sophisticated counterfeits. Detecting forgeries can be a challenging task that often requires expertise and specialized tools.

Expertizers rely on their theoretical knowledge, experience, and reference collections to identify the characteristics and nuances of various forgeries. Their ability to distinguish genuine stamps from forgeries plays a vital role in determining the authenticity and value of a stamp.

“It’s crucial for expertizers to stay up to date with the evolving techniques used in creating forgeries. The counterfeiters are constantly improving their skills, making it imperative for us to be vigilant in our assessments.” – Sarah Thompson, Stamp Expertizer

By examining minute details, such as perforation, paper texture, color, and print quality, expertizers can uncover the subtle differences that indicate a forgery. This level of expertise ensures that collectors are informed about the authenticity and value of their stamps.

To aid in the identification process, expertizers may utilize advanced tools like high-resolution microscopes, spectrometers, or infrared cameras to uncover hidden features or analyze the chemical composition of inks and papers.

Being knowledgeable about the various types of forgeries allows expertizers to provide accurate assessments and protect collectors from investing in counterfeit stamps.

The Importance of Authenticity

Stamp collecting is not only a hobby but also a serious investment for many collectors. Stamp forgeries can have a significant impact on the authenticity and value of a collection. This is why expertizing is crucial, as it helps collectors make informed decisions and ensure the integrity of their collection.

Expertizers play a pivotal role in safeguarding the stamp collecting community by identifying and exposing forgeries. Their expertise helps maintain the integrity of the hobby and ensures that collectors can trust the stamps they acquire.

Conclusion

Expertizing stamps is an intricate process that involves a combination of theoretical knowledge, experience, reference collections, and the use of scientific instruments. By carefully examining stamps for soundness, centering, gum condition, and overall eye appeal, experts can provide accurate assessments of a stamp’s authenticity and value.

When submitting stamps for expertization, collectors can protect their investments and ensure the accurate assessment and valuation of their rare stamps by following these tips. Consulting with experts and relying on their expertise can provide valuable information for collectors, helping them make informed decisions about their stamp collections.

Expertizing stamps not only benefits collectors but also contributes to the overall integrity of the stamp collecting hobby. By identifying forgeries and alterations, experts help safeguard the market from fraudulent practices. Accurate assessments enable collectors to confidently buy, sell, and trade stamps, ultimately enhancing the entire philatelic community.

In conclusion, expertizing stamps is an essential practice for collectors who want to ensure the authenticity, condition, and value of their stamps. By working with knowledgeable experts and following the recommended guidelines, collectors can have peace of mind knowing that their rare stamps are being accurately assessed and valued.

Source Links

• https://www.philatelicfoundation.org/expertizing-process/the-four-phases-of-stamp-expertization/
• https://lcps-stamps.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/PSEAGuideToGradingExpertisingUnitedStatesStamps.pdf
• https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamps-postal-history/can-opinion-be-eliminated-in-the-expertizing-of-stamps