Bidding Guidelines for Stamps & Postal History
Stamp Catalogs
Stamp Centering Grades
The current editions of Scott Catalogues are used, plus where
applicable, additional catalog values are listed from Gibbons,
Michel, Facit, Yvert & PSE's Stamp Market Quarterly (SMQ).
XF
Extremely Fine
Near perfect centering on all four
sides. A real gem.
VF
Very fine
Well centered, all perforations well
clear of design on all four sides, but
design slightly off center.
FVF
Fine to Very Fine Perforations clear design on all four
sides, but design is off center
usually on two sides.
F
Fine
Perforations barely clear design, or
may touch on early issues prior to
1900.
AVE
Average
Perforations cut into design.
Estimates
In addition to the catalog value, 'estimates' are listed for each
lot. You will find the estimates more reflective of the current
market, and what you can reasonably expect to pay for a lot.
You may, of course, bid higher or lower than the estimates.
You may also speak with a lot describer for a more detailed
description of a particular lot. Please call at least 72-hours
prior to the sale (the earlier, the better). Remember, a Public
Auction is not an approval service. Lots are not returnable
unless misdescribed.
Covers & Postcards
Covers should be expected to have slight reductions, minor
nicks and tears usually from opening. Folded letters normally
have one or two file folds, and these are not normally described
and are not grounds for return.
IMPORTANT: Early stamp issues prior to 1900 were printed in such a way
that the design was naturally very close to the edges. This is taken into
consideration when grading. For SETS, the above classifications are used
in describing the overall appearance of the set with particular attention to
the high values.
Stamp Gum & Hinging
MNH Never Hinged
Mint, full original gum as issued by
the Post Office. No trace of any
hinge mark and no gum
disturbance. The presence of an
expertizer’s mark does not
disqualify a stamp from this
designation, but will be noted.
LH
Lightly Hinged
Unused, original gum with light gum
disturbance from the removal of a
hinge. No hinge remnant present,
and only a trace of the hinge mark
visible.
H
Hinged
Unused, original gum. Hinge marks
will be readily present, and there
may be some small pieces of the
hinge still adhering to the stamp.
( )
Unused
No gum.
Limits
You may limit your total purchases by simply indicating the
amount on your bidding form. This way, for example, you can
bid on $5,000 worth of lots, but limit your purchases to $1,000.
Remember, all lots are sold in lot number order. Bids on specific
lots over and beyond your limit may be added to your purchase
if you indicate they are to be excluded from your limit.
'OR' Bids
You may bid on several similar lots with the assurance that you
will purchase only one of them. Simply place an 'OR' between
the bids submitted on the lots involved, and we will buy the first
'OR' lot for you, and void the rest. Remember, all lots are sold
in lot number order, so you may not indicate a preference for
one lot over another.
– Bidding Increments –
Bids
Advance
Bids
Advance
$50 to $150 ....................... $5
$3,000 to $7,000 ........... $250
$150 to $300 ................... $10
$300 to $700 ................... $25
$700 to $1,500 ................ $50
$7,000 to $15,000 ......... $500
$15,000 to $50,000 .... $1,000
$50,000 to $100,000 ... $2,500
$1,500 to $3,000 ........... $100
$100,000 and up ........ $5,000
19% buyer's premium added to the hammer price.
Bids below $50 respectfully declined.
All major credit cards & PayPal accepted
at no additional cost
Introduction-STAMPS.pmd
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Stamp Symbols & Abbreviations
..... Mint, original gum,
never hinged
......... Unused, original gum,
hinged
( ) ...... Unused, no gum
......... Used
........ Cover
........ Literature
........ Autograph
BOB ... Back of Book
BK ...... Complete booklet
CV ...... Catalog value
CDS ... Circular date stamp
COA ... Certificate of Authenticity
E ......... Essay
EST .... Estimated value
F ......... Forgery
8/16/2013, 4:54 PM
FDC .... First Day Cover
MNH ... Mint, never hinged
MSS ... Manuscript cancel
NGAI .. No gum as issued
OG ..... Original gum
P ......... Proof
PH ...... Photo illustration
pmk ... Postmark
R ........ Reprint
S ......... Specimen/Sample
SH ...... Full sheet
SMQ ... Stamp Market
Quarterly
S/S ..... Souvenir sheet
TC ...... Trial Color
VAR .... Variety
WMK .. Watermark