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Sets or singles

john o'neiljjohn o'neil
in Chatter 2 LikesVote Down
Hardly a hand wringer, but if you have a set of stamps (let's say 3-5), and one or a few of the stamps have much higher values singularly than others in the set, do you sell as a set, or as singles?

I ran into to a couple such instances yesterday, and set them aside.....tossed and turned all night.LOL

Comments

  • 8 Comments sorted by Votes Date Added
  • Scott PaytonScott Payton
    0 LikesVote Down
    John,
    You may want to be careful using the term "Set". Philatelically, it relates to the full series of issue, for example, if you refer to US Front of Book "SET" applies to the entire front of book from #1 to #5614 (as of 2022). Or you could say "Postage" which represents the Postage Set. Where as Airmail set would be C1 to C150.

    Using the term "Set" to describe say, the 1893 Columbian's, #230 - #245, set is not the correct "Philatelic" term (for philatelic purists, a vin diagram which I would fall into), and is generally accepted as "group", which is generically applied to either consecutive issues, or any incomplete "set" within the same type.

    So to your question, about grouping and selling where there are similar items, but some being of high value and some being of not so high value, it is a philosophical one.

    There may be times where I include them all, and there may be times where I go singular. We have recently established a "threshold" of no listing under $15. So that might drive the decision to group certain issues together. That is just our "threshold". You have to decide for yourself. And that may be based on selling trends (which can also change with time). What's "hot" today may not be 5 years from now, and so you adjust.

    That's the best guidance I can offer.


  • Ted TyszkaTed Tyszka
    3 LikesVote Down
    I have heard absolutely no one use the term “set” in that way (before now). “Set” absolutely does refer to the three, four, or more stamps issued on a common theme, such as the set of Columbians.
  • john o'neiljjohn o'neil
    1 LikesVote Down
    When I say "Set", I'm referring to the ones either Stanley Gibbons of Scott has a separate combined value for a number of consecutive stamps.
  • Michael DuehrMMichael Duehr
    1 LikesVote Down
    Actually Scott this is from the Scott's cat Introduction page 14A

    #11 Total value of a set.

    The total values of SETS of three or more issued after 1900 are shown. The set line also notes the range of Scott numbers and total number of stamps in that grouping.
  • Michael DuehrMMichael Duehr
    1 LikesVote Down
    And if you look at the front of Michel, Scott's and Gibbons (and a good likely hood of the other cats) They have a disclaimer that the SET price can be less than the valuation of the individual stamps if the set includes a number of stamps at minimal cat value.

  • Scott PaytonScott Payton
    0 LikesVote Down
    I've always used "group" for consecutives, or mixed issues. Hmmm. Wonder where that got put into my head. I've worked off this definition for as long as I can remember (long time, like at least last week...)
  • Phil Merrill_Phil Merrill_
    1 LikesVote Down
    John, I can only give an answer fro my perspective. I am a customer, not a dealer.

    Frankly, I'd much rather buy a full set than singles. Even if I'm trying to assemble a set with all stamps VF, I'd rather buy a duplicate set and swap items between them. A full set is a solid item for me and for the next guy I sell it to. Pull out the most valuable stamps and the rest are just space fillers.

  • Bob HatchBob Hatch
    edited May 2022 2 LikesVote Down
    Hi John, I believe it all relates to condition of the individual stamps. I typically only sell stamps in complete sets if they are all in similar condition. By set I mean all the stamps identified and priced by Scott as a group - e.g. the Overrun Countries set 909-921. A complete set of stamps will sell regardless of condition (MNH, Mint Hinged, or used) if properly priced, accurately described, and supported by quality scans. If one or more of the stamps is faulty or has poor centering I break up the set and sell the stamps individually. Stamps sold individually can be sold at higher prices than the same stamps grouped in a set, but it will take longer to move them all out of your inventory.
    I stand by this notion even when one of the stamps has a higher Scott value than all of the other stamps in the set combined. For example, I prefer to sell plate blocks for the Famous American issues as sets even though the 10 cent values command higher prices.
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