Lets not forget the error with the third one next to Columbus, with or without the split in the hat.

Greetings Mr. Tomd
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You mean the "Old Cracked-Hat"?
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[img][/img]
Broken Hat 231c
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Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

Yes that is nice, I have only read that is is out there. Now to see one up and close it looks better then I though.

Thank you Mr Lee

Greetings Mr. Tomd
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Actually, there should be quite a few out there. Even though I named this scan 231c, several years ago Scott de-designated the lower case suffix because it was so common. For a long time, both 231 and 231c (before the de-designation) each had the same minimum catalog value. Only in the last couple of years has the Broken Hat variety creeped up in price. I see now, in the 2012 Scott Specialized Catalog, that the cracked-hat (used) is $3.50 and the 231 remains at thirty cents.
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I wish Scott did not do away with the "c" minor listing for the Broken Hat. It gave us peon amatuers something to look for and look forward to if we ever got a hold of one of those cheap old stamps with a split in a hat. Finding one made us feel important.
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Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

Wow Tom! Great stuff. I read about that for years but never run across one yet. Still on my want list!

Columbian stock cert. I got to get this pressed, matted & framed I guess.

Yes Mr Lee I agree with you they should keep the c. BUT for you info the Kenmore Stamp company {KenmoreStamp.com} still has it as 231c at $125.00 mint and $1.50 used, this is in there 2012 catalog.

Tom

Greetings Mr. Tomd
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I'm glad Kenmore is sticking with the variety designation using the Scott numbering system. There's still a glimmer of light in this dark world.
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Kenmore, as well as a lot of other "approval" stamp companies (like Mystic), are great for beginner stamp collectors. A person can really start filling in all those blank spaces in an album. And every once in a while because they deal in volume they make a mistake and include a higher variety stamp than what they intend to send. However, I've found for the quality of their "approvals" to be way substandard to the price they charge. A lot of those stamps after a beginner becomes more knowledgable will need to be replaced. That's my own personal opinion, of course.
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Plus, what really ticks me off is that they use metered mail on their shipping. (When I wrote and complained they told me that I was an old stick-in-the-mud and that they needed to charge "higher" prices in order that "they could pay their employees enough to be able to afford to eat." I sure wished I saved that letter. However, they probably are correct in calling me an old s-i-t-m.)
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Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

Mr Lee,
I only get the USA Comm., as you said to fill in, with me a lot of holes. Then I see a special offer they have that is cheep I will buy it. But then they want me to but the whole county, I just return them and pay for what I wanted.
But as you can see from the thread I am posting my collection there are not many years filled in yet.

Your friend Tom

Greetings Mr. Tomd
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I don't see anything wrong with scooping out a special offer. You got to build up your collection someway. But it sure does build up the cost of postage sending all those unwanted stamps back. (Somebody probably now has that stamp in their collection that I mailed thirty years ago complaining about the company's pricing policy and their use of meters.)
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Your friend,

Gordon Lee

Mr Lee

They pay postage for the returns.

But our good friend, bengalpaws, has pointed out to me the cost I was losing and could be putting else ware. I do feel he is right. Some times I need a good shake to open my eyes. My wife would use a bat across my hard head. Maybe now when I get caught up I can get more for my dollar.

Your friend Tom

I'm in accordance with you two gentlemen. A deal is a deal and when found and it suits one's collection by all means pounce on it regardless of source. Be true to your interest(s) - I have many interests but it's always my general U.S. collection that comes first.

I'm always looking to get the most for my dollar. I'm not out to stiff anyone but neither am I out to get stiffed. I buy mostly via auction and I'm not afraid to lose an auction either. There's nothing within my budget that won't show back up for auction again at some time. Let's face it, unique, rare or one of a kind philatelic items are simply outside the range of our budget for the vast majority of us.

Heck, my standing rule is to not pay more than 22% of Scott catalog value for singles or sets and when buying in bulk (box, mix, kiloware, packets, etc.) I consider 5 cents per stamp to be a bit on the pricey side - I prefer to buy bulk at or under 2 cents per stamp or less. My knee jerk reaction is at least 50% of all the world's stamps can be had in that price range... possibly much more than 50%.

Try this some time... go to Ebay... Stamps ==> United States ==> Collections & Lots - note the number of items available for sale or auction.

Now, adjust the maximum price to say $5 and notice that the vast majority of ALL listings still remain in the search. The discerning ebayer can do well... not long ago I picked up an album of worldwide stamps commemorating the American Bicentennial for under 4% of catalog value and the album included a set with a value of $450.

This hobby doesn't have to break the bank... period.

I do agree though, I worked hard for my money. And why should I pay, lets say $1.50 for a stamp when I can get it for 10 cents or less. It is a good lesson.

Well base cataloge value is now $0.30 I belive for all items that are common. After that there is the stuff that actually has value. I have on occasion gone up to 50% of catalogue for some items but that is rare.

Like everyone has said, you can usually find it elsewhere at a price you are comfortable with.

As to the collections shown... they are VERY nice!

A nice collection is one thing... a guilt free nice collection is in a whole other category!

Plus Tom is a hardcore US collector from what I can tell and Gordon Lee too and that's how I am as well... kind of a kindred spirit sort of thing I suppose.