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General Philatelic/Newcomer Cnr : Newbie collecting question (sheet, block or single)

 

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MikeInColo
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11 Oct 2017
10:31:54pm
Hello everyone! I am new to collecting and want to start with U.S. Presidents but I am confused about the type of stamp (sheet or block or single). I looked through the Newcomer Corner but didn't find anything about my specific question. (Although I did find a lot of excellent information in that section!)

When I look for stamps on auction sites, I see single stamps, blocks of 4 or sheets of 20. I am assuming that the older stamps may only be available as singles or blocks of 4 and the newer stamps may be available as a sheet of 20, is that true?

Finally, is there a rule about when to buy each different quantity of stamps (sheet or block or single)? Does the quantity of stamps (single stamp, block of 4 or sheet of 20) affect the resale value if I were to sell it someday? Is there a "hard and fast" rule about keeping your collection of similar quantity types (sheet or block or single)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

BTW, this topic is similar to my question but not exact:
https://stamporama.com/discboard/disc_main.php?action=20&id=6087#36737


(Modified by Moderator on 2017-10-12 11:22:34)
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amsd
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Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

12 Oct 2017
08:13:46am

Auctions
re: Newbie collecting question (sheet, block or single)

Mike,

in most cases, i've not seen price increases higher than the proportional amounts of B/4 or sheets of X, at least not with stamps of vintages from the 40s on.

There ARE conventions if you choose to go higher than singles. For instance, if you're going to do B/4s, you're probably best to do PBs or blocks with Mr ZIP or other slogans, so that you have the selvege and the block.

I think sheets are probably a cost-prohibitive way to start a collection, primarily because of the extra glassine sheets and folders you'll need to keep the fellers separated and glue off one another. Oh, and then there's the price of 50 vs 1 (or whatever).

PB collecting has fallen, no plummeted, out of favor, so, if you go B/4 route, you should be able to get PBs at face or below. If you go PB route, remember that for most it's block of 4, but for some it's 6 or 10 or 20 or the full sheet. Scott provides details on how to collect each PB. PM me if you want more details.

Hope this helps.

David

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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

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angore
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Al
Collector, Moderator

12 Oct 2017
11:30:54am
re: Newbie collecting question (sheet, block or single)

Mike,

It is totally up to you. Since you mentioned sheets of 20, I am thinking you are looking at more US modern issues. Collecting modern self-adhesive stamps in sheet/whole booklet form the easiest way to collect since it can be harder to separate out singles for some issues. You can store them on stock pages like Vario

If you are collecting older material (say pre-2000), plate blocks are nice and easy to acquire inexpensively (often less than face) if you buy them in lots. There are many whole albums out there on the market. If you want a specific one with a certain plate number expect to pay more or be patient. For stamps that are not engraved, the plate number does not mean nearly as much as it did.

Now, there are not that many US stamps after 1940 that are that have appreciated (exceptions abound for certain varieties) so do not expect any real gain in value.

Enjoy the beauty, the education, fun in organizing, etc. It is cheap entertainment compared to many activities and you actually have something.

(I also fixed your link).



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MikeInColo
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12 Oct 2017
06:28:31pm
re: Newbie collecting question (sheet, block or single)

Thank you for the responses.

My inclination is to collect one stamp of all the various presidential stamps.

I'm not collecting for value inasmuch as just enjoying the hobby/education.

Thanks again!

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BenFranklin1902
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Tom in Exton, PA

12 Oct 2017
06:59:04pm
re: Newbie collecting question (sheet, block or single)

"I'm not collecting for value inasmuch as just enjoying the hobby/education."



That's the right attitude! I got back into collecting a few years ago and saw that I could buy most USA stamps cheaper than I could back in 1980. At first I was upset, then I realized it was a blessing. Today I can collect to my hearts content at a minimal investment. I enjoy having and holding, viewing the art and owning stamps I lusted after as a youth!

Just don't have delusions that this is an investment.
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Author/Postings
Members Picture
MikeInColo

11 Oct 2017
10:31:54pm

Hello everyone! I am new to collecting and want to start with U.S. Presidents but I am confused about the type of stamp (sheet or block or single). I looked through the Newcomer Corner but didn't find anything about my specific question. (Although I did find a lot of excellent information in that section!)

When I look for stamps on auction sites, I see single stamps, blocks of 4 or sheets of 20. I am assuming that the older stamps may only be available as singles or blocks of 4 and the newer stamps may be available as a sheet of 20, is that true?

Finally, is there a rule about when to buy each different quantity of stamps (sheet or block or single)? Does the quantity of stamps (single stamp, block of 4 or sheet of 20) affect the resale value if I were to sell it someday? Is there a "hard and fast" rule about keeping your collection of similar quantity types (sheet or block or single)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

BTW, this topic is similar to my question but not exact:
https://stamporama.com/discboard/disc_main.php?action=20&id=6087#36737


(Modified by Moderator on 2017-10-12 11:22:34)

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this post
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
12 Oct 2017
08:13:46am

Auctions

re: Newbie collecting question (sheet, block or single)

Mike,

in most cases, i've not seen price increases higher than the proportional amounts of B/4 or sheets of X, at least not with stamps of vintages from the 40s on.

There ARE conventions if you choose to go higher than singles. For instance, if you're going to do B/4s, you're probably best to do PBs or blocks with Mr ZIP or other slogans, so that you have the selvege and the block.

I think sheets are probably a cost-prohibitive way to start a collection, primarily because of the extra glassine sheets and folders you'll need to keep the fellers separated and glue off one another. Oh, and then there's the price of 50 vs 1 (or whatever).

PB collecting has fallen, no plummeted, out of favor, so, if you go B/4 route, you should be able to get PBs at face or below. If you go PB route, remember that for most it's block of 4, but for some it's 6 or 10 or 20 or the full sheet. Scott provides details on how to collect each PB. PM me if you want more details.

Hope this helps.

David

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
angore

Al
Collector, Moderator
12 Oct 2017
11:30:54am

re: Newbie collecting question (sheet, block or single)

Mike,

It is totally up to you. Since you mentioned sheets of 20, I am thinking you are looking at more US modern issues. Collecting modern self-adhesive stamps in sheet/whole booklet form the easiest way to collect since it can be harder to separate out singles for some issues. You can store them on stock pages like Vario

If you are collecting older material (say pre-2000), plate blocks are nice and easy to acquire inexpensively (often less than face) if you buy them in lots. There are many whole albums out there on the market. If you want a specific one with a certain plate number expect to pay more or be patient. For stamps that are not engraved, the plate number does not mean nearly as much as it did.

Now, there are not that many US stamps after 1940 that are that have appreciated (exceptions abound for certain varieties) so do not expect any real gain in value.

Enjoy the beauty, the education, fun in organizing, etc. It is cheap entertainment compared to many activities and you actually have something.

(I also fixed your link).



Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
MikeInColo

12 Oct 2017
06:28:31pm

re: Newbie collecting question (sheet, block or single)

Thank you for the responses.

My inclination is to collect one stamp of all the various presidential stamps.

I'm not collecting for value inasmuch as just enjoying the hobby/education.

Thanks again!

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
BenFranklin1902

Tom in Exton, PA
12 Oct 2017
06:59:04pm

re: Newbie collecting question (sheet, block or single)

"I'm not collecting for value inasmuch as just enjoying the hobby/education."



That's the right attitude! I got back into collecting a few years ago and saw that I could buy most USA stamps cheaper than I could back in 1980. At first I was upset, then I realized it was a blessing. Today I can collect to my hearts content at a minimal investment. I enjoy having and holding, viewing the art and owning stamps I lusted after as a youth!

Just don't have delusions that this is an investment.
Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"Check out my eBay Stuff! Username Turtles-Trading-Post"
        

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