ITEM: Victorian Stamp SG48/49 Half Penny, WMK Halfpenny, Plate 10 Lot 3, nice clear plate 10 number, numerical franking, has perfs, no gum on back, not previously hinged, paper ok otherwise fine. SG cat £30. The start price reflects its good condition.
More than a decade ago I decided to buy a few stamp collections as I always wanted to have a nice collection of Victorian stamps. I got a little carried away and perhaps bought a few too many. It has taken all that time and the epidemic enforced lockdown to finally get around to sorting through them. That done there will be great many listings in the next few months multiple lots of many stamps.
There are dozens of duplicated stamps in all degrees of condition. I will try my best to leave an honest appraisal, but I know in the world of collecting everyone has different degrees and standards and they rarely meet or agree, so I am going to provide the best photo I can of front and back, and point out those things which I think the photo does not show clearly.
Stamps I feel are ‘good’ will be listed at ‘buy it now’ prices with a top price of 25% of catalogue value; the ‘buy it now’ price on good stamps will be lower if they are heavily franked or have minor flaws, and offers will be considered. There will be ’buy it now’ listings on what I would call super rare space fillers - those stamps so rare you might never get a good one where a battered and bruised one will just have to do! Also rare postmarks where sometimes the stamp is not as important to the collector as the postmark. There will be groups of stamps in lesser condition with low auction start prices so you can bid what you feel they are worth. I am no expert and as such I may make mistakes on watermarks and plates but I will show close ups of plates so you can decide for yourself before bidding.
SHIPPING - In these strange days I am not going to queue in the post office. Most items at basic shipping will be sent by standard Royal Mail which I will pack well with reinforced cardboard and seal with tape (rather than lick the envelope!) . It is not the price of the postage stamp that determines the basic shipping cost - I will be packing to a good standard to protect your purchase, and orders above £25 will be placed on a stock-card. I can only take responsibility for lost or undeliverable items if you pay for a tracked or insured service. I recommend that anyone spending over £20 pay for a tracked service. Hermes will collect parcels from me with a door to door service once a week, with a basic insurance covering £20. Rare and valuable shipments, I will be recommending that you pay for additional insurance, which I can get a quote for. I am happy to combine lots to save on shipping however please please request an invoice if you want to combine postage, as I can’t sort this retrospectively easily. Basic tracked courier service is £3.50. International shipping can be arranged but will require invoicing, price dependant on destination.
Yes I will offer combined shipping, it may not be for the price of one each time if there are heavier items but for multiple lots of single stamps I feel no need to over charge shipping and can do this for a single payment. However, the ebay system often makes it impossible to to not pay for individual items as and when you bid. The best way is to tell me when you have finished buying lots and I can send you a combined shipping invoice, if you can navigate the bay system.
About me:
This is my personal eBay account. My business account, if you would like to check my rating, is GrimUpNorth with a 2800+ star rating with 100% positive feedback.