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Philosophical question

Ken RosensteinKKen Rosenstein
in Questions 0 LikesVote Down
I’m in the process of refocusing my US collection to plate number singles. Oftentimes I’ve found listings for several plate blocks of a particular stamp but no plate singles. My question is whether it’s “ethical” to buy a block and separate a single? It doesn’t seem right for reasons I can’t really explain other than it destroys one format for arguably lesser formats. My guess also is that it’s probably not too uncommon a practice at some level. A single has to come from somewhere. Am I overthinking this? Anyway, I would appreciate any thoughts.

Comments

  • 11 Comments sorted by Votes Date Added
  • Don LeischnerDDon Leischner
    0 LikesVote Down
    Depends on how long I've had to look and how bad it impacts the value. I've bought pairs or blocks for a single, in the low value area. Probably wouldn't in the high value area. Tends to happen when I have been looking too long for something I want. Once I bought an entire year set for two I had missing out of the middle. The rest became postage. So yeah, been there, done that.
  • Scott PaytonScott Payton
    0 LikesVote Down
    Ken,
    Nothing unethical about it, more perhaps philosophical, as you've posted. However, consider you may be devaluing the long term value of the item.

    Also, it's a little different for perforated stamps than for imperf stamps. Perforated Plate # Singles are often created when the perfs of a block become weakened (for whatever reason), and even separated. Once they are separated, the overall value as a PB is compromised, and many will separate down to a P# single at that point. But this NEVER happens with imperf blocks.

    Creating a P# single from an imperf block is a deliberate act. Probably the most notable of these is the #315 (my own 315 is a P# single highly graded XF-SUP that I sought out). Someone had to decide to cut that baby loose from a block at some point. So is the P# Single more valuable than the PB, in the long run becomes one major question.
    And there is 0 tracking of values for P# singles. You will have to sift through auction results by hand to find realized pricing for P# singles.

    But separations take place all the time from blocks to singles, separating to P# single isn't any different. And you're not crossing any ethical lines, but it may feel VERY PAINFUL to separate a single from a block, because you can never put humpty dumpty back together again.
  • Wayne CamolliWayne Camolli
    0 LikesVote Down
    It depends on if you are a collector or an investor.
    If you are a collector and collect plate # singles, then by definition plate blocks have a lesser value than the plate # single that you WANT for your collection.
    If you are an investor or are looking to leave your collection as part of your estate, then the opposite applies.

  • Robert MaddoxRRobert Maddox
    0 LikesVote Down
    Scott

    With all due respect, there is the Herbert Catalog of Plate # Singles so your statement that there is "0 tracking of values for P# singles" is in fact inaccurate.

    Bob

  • Rene BravoRene Bravo
    4 LikesVote Down
    Collecting is a profoundly individual experience. Creating a plate number single is absolutely your RIGHT if you've bought it and own it. The owners of that horribly ugly Magenta abomination signed the back of it because they owned it. It does not matter what we think. Therefore, have fun, follow your collecting passions and enjoy!
  • George DeKornfeldGeorge DeKornfeld
    1 LikesVote Down
    True...but...in a very accurate sense, we are only temporary custodians of what amount to historical artifacts. Whatever floats yer boat, but for me, I strictly keep multiples of any stamp issues intact (plate number or not), so they can be passed on, when the time comes, to the next collectors.
  • Alan JacobsenAAlan Jacobsen
    edited July 2022 1 LikesVote Down
    I've been breaking up my plate and zip blocks and using the singles for postage.
  • Robert MaddoxRRobert Maddox
    0 LikesVote Down
    I guess it really depends on how deep you want to go.... if you get into collecting specific plate #'s, especially on definitive issues, then you could be talking 1000's of combinations. Take a look at the Durland for 805(just to site a random catalog number). Or how about the Huck Press plates... wow... that is a challenge!

    Collectors spend a lifetime pursuing some degree of completion. With an emphasis on the word some. Fascinating pastime whether you go for multiples or singles.

    Bob
  • Scott PaytonScott Payton
    0 LikesVote Down
    Hi Robert, interesting I am not aware of the Herbert Catalog. How often is it updated?
  • Scott PaytonScott Payton
    0 LikesVote Down
    Ah, I found it here:
    http://www.apnss.org/publications.htm

    So looks to be updated sporadically. Issued in 2007, 2011 and 2018. In fairness, that's probably often enough to have a reasonable gauge of value. Created and updated by The American Plate Number Single Society.

    Of course this must exist. :)
  • Michael GeneraliMichael Generali
    2 LikesVote Down
    Ken, They are your stamps. It is your collection. Do with them as you want. There are no "ethics" to be concerned with. You won't get arrested and thrown in philatelic prison.

    However, as others have pointed out, you may have some items of value that your could sell, and buy more plate number singles with.
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