Is it really cancelled?

Don Leischner

I haven't given this much thought. I received my package from Richard Willis the other day - thank you. Par for the course for most of us, it had a large number of low value stamps on the envelope. There is no visible cancellation mark on any of the stamps. If they were to be soaked off (which i'm not about to do, i'm too lazy) would they be considered postally used or mint without gum? I myself consider them postally used, but how would a potential buyer of similar material know?

George DeKornfeld

I think describing them as 'unused, no gum' would pretty much make it clear to any buyer what the deal was.

Harry Patsalos

Why not go to your local PO and ask them to cancel the stamps on the Envelope for you.

Phil Merrill_

My own read on these things: if the stamp were from the 19th century, or a pricey colonial stamp up to the 1940s, "mint no gum" is a valid description. After that, "used no cancel" is more valid as well as more likely. To call a modern stamp mint no gum is just dumb...

andrew Hellenschmidt

Agreed Phil, one of my pet peeves is when a clearly used stamp with marks on front and back is listed as mint no gum. If the back looks used it is used.

George DeKornfeld

I just accidentally tipped over a water bottle on a pane of modern stamps and ruined the gum (hypothetical), so I ended up having to soak them to remove the rest of the gum, then pressed them until dry. I now have modern used no gum stamps, or modern mint no gums stamps? Closing yer mind to someone else's opinion is just stupid...

Greg Doll

That's why Mouse and Bentley get along so well.

Phil Merrill_

Ok, George, ya got me. Let's go ask the person you sell them to. Will they pay for mint? The point I was hoping to make is that uncancelled used stamps become so common as we move into the modern era that to describe a modern stamp as "mint no gum" is suspect, if not meaningless. I was blunt, but hoping to use fewer words. Hugs and kisses....

George DeKornfeld

See, Phil, you were able to say it without the ad hominin flavor. XXXOOO

andrew Hellenschmidt

Still the ones in question were actually used and likely show some wear even without any cancellation marks. But any buyer wouldn’t pay mint because they were likely used stamps. George you can believe in fairy tales though if you like.

Michael Generali

If this helps, per US postal regulations, the stamps are used, and reuse of such is illegal.

George DeKornfeld

Nothing to do with fairy tales, Andrew. As I originally wrote, any buyer would know how the stamps came to be in that condition. Besides, I think any seller would be hard pressed to sell any modern stamps that weren't either cancelled or MNH, regardless of the descriptors used. This entire topic is us all peeing into the wind, its so absurd.

Scott Payton

I would suggest that anyone buying a modern stamp without gum has intention of using them postally, rather than as a collector. In that case, it won't matter to the buyer, postal lots usually go for 70% - 80% of face value. (It's cheap postage). If you ruin a lot that way, it's still a good way to get value out of it. However, in that case, you may also be able to take them back to the post office, and get reissued new (same one if it's still on sale) or equal value if it's not. It's just like putting a note in the shredder. If you collect all the bits, send it to the treasury, in about 2 years, you'll get your money back (at least from what they can piece together). There have been cases of whole rolls of stamps getting stuck together. Return to the post office, they replace it.
Just another option for your "modern no gum stamps".
But beware... if you did as the OP suggest, and the post office suspects you of such, THEY will consider them postally used, and they at the very least will not be happy with you. At the very worst, might try to take some form of legal action. It is technically illegal to reuse an uncanceled stamp that has passed through the system. (For all you "I follow the rules" people out there).

Roderic Little

Mint means in original condition, if it has no gum it is not in original condition, therefore should not be described as mint. I have been using "unused no gum"

Scott Payton

Yes, "Mint" like "Rare" are excessively misused in philately.

Greg Doll

My wife used to use words like that about me years ago.....now she says things like "Used", "damaged (lower back and knees)", "oddly misshapen", "antique", and....my favorite..."space filler". Not sure what she means by that last one but I have my suspicions. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Scott Payton

Nice one Greg. At least you haven't fallen to "Oxygen Thief"... yet?

Greg Doll

Not yet but I'm working on it, Thanks for reminding me. I need to circle back on that effort. HA,HA,HA!

Brett Moulton

I got stamps of a variety of cancels, Used no gum cancels, used partial gum cancels, used full gum cancels, etc. I never reuse a all ready used stamp any visible cancel ink isn't hard to find if looking close, not sure how many others do this but I take stamps shine them threw light for any flaws like thins, ink, watermarks, etc, also lots of inks shows up under Black lights to reveal any hidden ink cancels not visible threw regular lighting I got quite a few that look not canceled but with the black light trick easy as 1-2-3 to be 100% sure or when in doubt don't throw them out seek professional help just not the Dr.Phil kind unless you need that sorta thing lol