eBay

bitsnpieces · ‎01-27-2021

I have a lot of old postcards with stamps and I would like to know if these one cent stamps are of any value. I would appreciate any help. Sorry, the picture that is not great, I just snapped it with my phone.

Thanks, Bits

billsey · ‎01-27-2021

They were in use from 1902 until some time after they were replaced by new designs in 1908. The green one cent ones were the standard rate for a postcard. During that era post cards were very popular, partially due to the cost (it was two cents to mail a letter) and partially because there were multiple mail deliveries per day in the larger cities. A businessman could mail a post card to his wife in the morning telling her he was going to bring clients home for dinner, and she would receive it early enough in the day to purchase a roast and cook it. The need for that pretty much went away when telephones got to be popular enough to take over that type of scenario. The underlying point here is that there were a lot of these one cent stamps produced and because of that there are still a lot of them around. Likely in most cases the picture on the postcard, or the cancellation used will be worth more that the, stamp itself. There were something like 14-15 different designs used in that series, with face values from one cent to five dollars and some of the higher face values do have good value to collectors.

bitsnpieces · ‎01-28-2021

Thanks Billsey for the helpful information. Stamps seem to be a fascinating subject of collecting with a lot of history. I asked the question because I noticed that a lot of postcard sellers mention the "rare" Franklin, one cent stamp. I know nothing about postcards or stamps, I'm going to try to sell a box of postcards for my neighbor, most are pre-1910, her father was in shipping so there are a lot of foreign stamps also. Though there is not much value in the cards or the stamps, I've really enjoyed looking at them, it's like taking a world tour many years ago.

Again, thank you. Bits

billsey · ‎01-28-2021

Yeah, I bought a bundle of post cards a few years ago, and they all turned out to be a series sent by the parents back to their son while they went on a European vacation, in 1910. One card from each stop on the way for their train from Portland, OR to NYC, then a couple mailed on the ship, then several more from various places in Europe. It told a fascinating tale...

msgtdavid · ‎03-03-2021

These stamps also has various plate varieties to watch out for. I have a couple nice double transfers that are easy to see without a glass.

xbolts · ‎03-04-2021

THERE ARE A FEW OTHER TYPES OF THIS STAMP THAT ARE IMPERF. & PART PERF. ie "COIL STAMPS", THAT ARE OF MORE VALUE OR RARER?

SCOTT # 314 OR 316-318

thines · ‎03-04-2021

Yes, there are rarer varieties of the 1903 1 cent Franklin. But they, especially the coils, are widely faked. Any copy needs an expertising certificate to prove it's not a fake. If it's being sold on Ebay, it's almost certainly a fake.

msgtdavid · ‎03-04-2021

Yes there are a lot of fakes available. I take exception to obtaining an expert certificate to prove it's not a fake! You only get an opinon if the stamp from a group of knowledgable collectors is as described. For the causal collector this is good advice, but you can determine if the stamp in question by yourself.

Yes there are fakes sold on Ebay, but you cannot make a statement such as "it's almost certainly a fake" if it's sold on Ebay. At stamp shows and stamp clubs there are fakes available there also.

If you purchase stamps on Ebay, use common sense, do your research unless you are just a casual collector or just filling blank spots in an album. Knowledge is the key.

malolo · ‎03-04-2021

Come on, be real - "I take exception to obtaining an expert certificate to prove it's not a fake! You only get an opinon if the stamp from a group of knowledgable collectors is as described. For the causal collector this is good advice, but you can determine if the stamp in question by yourself."

I know there are errors in a few certificates, but to equate one's knowledge with a panel of experts is ridiculous. The fakers plan that some collectors determining the authenticity of a stamp by themselves, therefore, a perfect market for faked stamps. That has been an ongoing business on eBay for over the 20 years I've been buying on eBay.

You actually are looking at the process backwards. You think expert opinion is to "prove it not a fake" Whereas, a certificate actually confirms the identity of a stamp, fake or authentic. Casual collectors should not rely on club members or friends to confirm the identity of questionable stamps unless they have previously demonstrated expertise in the the given area. Denigrating expert committees doesn't make items offered on eBay more authentic. You might check out this link to see what was going on 10 years ago!

http://www.scads.org/shame/shame.htm

thines · ‎03-04-2021

Hi Malolo,

Very well said - you beat me to it.

msgtdavid · ‎03-04-2021

Maybe I mistated my message.

Bottom line "Buyer be aware"

Expert Certificates are just an opinion ONLY!

Do not accept what a stamp dealer says, nor members of a stamp club, nor sellers at a stamp show.

Knowledge is the key!

Better?

malolo · ‎03-04-2021

"Expert Certificates are just an opinion ONLY!"

But those experts have reference material of both authentic and spurious stamps to make comparisons. I would trust the opinion of one of those experts way more than a club member or most people who communnicate on eBay.

Here's a little test -

Both of these items were cancelled using a real canceler, and the stamps are real stamps, so why is the one with bottom cover false, and the top authentic?

A hint - 2 July was the first day of issue for these UPU commemorative stamps.

malolo · ‎03-04-2021

"Expert Certificates are just an opinion ONLY!"

But those experts have reference material of both authentic and spurious stamps to make comparisons. I would trust the opinion of one of those experts way more than a club member or most people who communnicate on eBay.

Here's a little test -

Both of these items were cancelled using a real canceler, and the stamps are real stamps, so why is the one with bottom cover false, and the top authentic?

A hint - 2 July was the first day of issue for these UPU commemorative stamps.