Few Questions

[Edo_Rajh]

Hello to everyone!

I wasn't arround for long time. Last year was a bit hectic year for me. But I finaly finish my PhD thesis, and become a father of one sweet little girl.  

Now everything gets back to normal and I hope I will be more frequent visitor here.

I have two questions to begin with.

I purchase something that should be first issue of Cabo. It's small overprint on Nicaragua stamp, so I suppose it is some local issue of Nicaragua. Does anybody know anything about this "country" or region? Any clue is more than welcomed.

Second question is related to Guatemala #1. I have block of 10 Guatemala #1 stamps. I wonder what will more experienced FI collector suggest to do with them? To split them and to change them for issues I don't have (of course keeping one for myself) or to keep them as block?

Thanks in advance.
Edo

[Jesper]

Hi Edo,

good to have you back  

"Cabo Gracias a Dios" (Cape Thanks to God) is a small sea-port in the extreme north east of Nicaragua. "Cabo" overprints (Scott #2L1 - 2L47, different types) are from 1904 to 1905 on Nicaraguan stamps of 1900 to 1905. Beware of forgeries!
I'll e-mail you a scan from Scott.

In general, I think you should not break blocks apart - if all you want is a single copy, then trade your block, or sell it at the FICC auction!?

Blocks of old stamps are not common, and may be used to plate the stamps - they are invaluable to specialists. Modern issues are not as critical to keep in blocks, I think.

[Jesper]

Sorry Edo,

I completely forgot - congratulations on both your daughter and your thesis  

[Edo_Rajh]

Thank you Jesper for your answers!  

As allways, very helpful.

[Tim_Balm]

I have block of 10 Guatemala #1 stamps. I wonder what will more experienced FI collector suggest to do with them? To split them and to change them for issues I don't have (of course keeping one for myself) or to keep them as block?

Edo

Greetings Edo,

I will second Jesper's "welcome back" as well as a huge congratulations on completing your thesis and becoming a parent.  I'm sure you know by now, however, that things will never "get back to normal" until all your children are grown and out of the household.  At least, that is my experience.

Jesper did an excellent job describing the stamps of Cabo Gracias.  Beyond the information that Jesper gave from the Scott catalog, Kenneth Wood (author of Where In The World) states "Cabo Gracias a Dios is a district, with a port of the same name, in the northern part of Nicaragua.  The name was applied by early Spanish explorers who had trouble finding landing places along the coast and who were relieved to come upon this haven.  Separate stamps were issued during the early 1900s because the area used a currency with a different value than that used in the rest of Nicaragua."

As for breaking blocks of stamps apart, I believe that decision should be based on how common the stamp is.  If it is common (like Guatemala #1), then I (personally) would not have any problem breaking up the block.  For less common stamps, the point that Jesper makes about plating is extremely important.  However, even though I do not believe that breaking up a block of common stamps is bad, there is always a little bit of feeling that I shouldn't do it.  I get that same feeling when I tear a stamp off of an envelope I get in the mail.  After all, postal use of stamps on a cover is something important to many -- but I still do it.

Tim

[Edo_Rajh]

Tim,

Thanks for additional information and nice words. Yeah, I'm very aware that things will not get back to normal.   But somehow we get use to that new, unnormal situation, don't we.

Edo

[Jesper]

Tim has good arguments, but please be aware that just because SINGLES are common does not mean that blocks, for example, are.

Mexico Scott #3b is available, not really rare. But NO vertical pairs are known to exist.

El Salvador #1 is "dirt cheap" but try to find one on cover ... I seem to remember that less than 30 covers are known with first issue stamps!

In the case of Guatemala I believe Tim is right, blocks are not too uncommon, so perhaps it is not as bad to break this one up. Just remember that for every time you break up a block, all the other blocks become more valuable ;-)

I would still advise against breaking up the block - it would be better to try to trade it if you wish. But what's wrong with having a block in your collection? ;-)

[Tim_Balm]

Absolutely correct Jesper.  Blocks are going to be more rare than singles.  Give me your opinion on the following situation of mine.  I have duplicates of some full Latvia #1 maps -- the full sheet of 228 stamps with the full war map on the back.  People sell blocks of 4, 6, 10 and 20 stamps from these maps on eBay with very attractive prices of $1.50 - $2.00 per stamp.  Yet, I cannot even get a bid of $200 for the full map of 228 stamps.  I am certain if I cut the map into smaller blocks, they will sell easily.  Should I do it?  [And yes, the full maps are much rarer than the singles and small blocks.  There is just not much of a market for them.]

[Jesper]

Hmmmmmm.

The short answer:
Financially: Yes
Philatelically: No

Personally I would not cut it up. Perhaps that's what the eBay sellers are doing, thus making your sheet more and more rare ;-)

Wait 10 years and ask again  

[Jesper]

Hi Tim,

I thougt about your dilemma a bit more ...

I believe there are "plenty" of your map stamps around in whole sheets. And because of the map on the back, they are easy to "plate" - just "plate" the map!

So, perhaps collectors actually prefer the singles and blocks, to try to piece back together the puzzle? I believe there were some 69 maps used - it's a big puzzle ;-)

In THIS case, perhaps it is not so bad to break the block / sheet apart ...

BTW, the best prices are usually gotten in specialist circles ...

Just my 0.02 kopek

[Michael]

I'd like to make an offer on a smaller block if you choose to break up the large map...I would love to have the large map, but like others doubt I'd make a $200-plus bid on it!

Michael

[Nick]

On the Latvias, pencil me in for a block too if you ever do.

And while we're there, does anyone have any of the Latvian charities printed on banknotes? I'm looking for copies of B1, B5 and B9.

Cheers

Nick