Information for Bidders
Reference to grading, abbreviations, terms and catalogs used when describing stamps and covers.
Grading Referring to Centering
Superb
Perfectly centered within large margins, imperforate stamps that have extraordinarily large margins all around.
Extremely Fine
Virtually perfectly centered within large margins, imperforate stamps have large even margins.
Very Fine
A slightly off center stamp with even margins on three sides, imperforate stamps with ample margins all around.
Fine
An off-center stamps, for 19th century issues sometimes with perfs touching, imperforate stamps with clear margins sometimes touching on one side.
Average
Perfs touching, imperforate stamps cut into the design, often with small faults.
Catalogs Used
All numbers and values are referring to the current editions of the Scott Standard or Specialized Catalogues unless stated otherwise. Other specialized or foreign catalogs are often referred to as well. These include:
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Datz (U.S. Errors)
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Unitrade ("U", Canada & Provinces)
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Stanley Gibbons ("SG", Great Britain and British Commonwealth)
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Michel ("Mi", Germany, Europe and Worldwide)
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Zumstein ("Z", Switzerland)
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Facit ("Fa", Scandinavia)
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And others
Values from foreign currencies are posted in their respective currency. Any conversion of foreign currency catalog values into US dollars is usually based on the foreign exchange rate published in Linn’s Stamp News at the time of description.
Comments Regarding Gum
Mint Never Hinged
Original gum that has never been hinged, i.e. in the condition as when it was originally sold at the post office.
Lightly Hinged
Original gum that has traces of a light hinge mark.
Hinge Remnant
"HR" – Original gum with one or more hinge remnants.
Part o.g.
Partial original gum. The back of the stamp either shows partial gum or much of the gum is hidden by a large hinge remnant.
Disturbed o.g.
Original gum that shows sign of disturbance, i.e. glazing from mounts, climate problems, or similar.
Unused
No gum.
Comments About the Condition of Covers
It is normal for 19th century envelopes and covers to have minor edge and flap tears, small nicks and slight reductions on either side. Most folded letters will also show at least one file fold. It is not unusual to find smaller mends of minor blemishes such as edge tears, to preserve the cover from further damage. These conditions are normal for 19th century covers and are not always included in the description. If the bidder is concerned about the condition of a certain auction lot, it is recommended that the bidder contact us before bidding on the item for a more thorough description of the condition.
Abbreviations Used in the Descriptions
Original gum
o.g.
Hinge remnant
h.r.
Datestamp (cancel)
d.s.
Handstamp
Hs
Variety
Var.
Essay
E
Proof
P
Trial Color Proof
TC
Scott catalog number
No.
Manuscript