Happy New Year

Hello. 2009 is nearly gone. Good news eh!!! Many highlights in all walks of life but lets think of the IPDA .. The Association has achieved much during the year with membership numbers, eBay representation, communications to members on many topics of interest regarding dealer businesses, chatroom participation, and more I am sure..... but......... we need more active participation, we need more sellers committed to the values of the IPDA and we need buyers to be more aware of the quality of what they are buying, which, if from an IPDA member, is very much more than likely to be quality stamps, exactly as described.

Far too long a rant from me yet again :-) but I have to say it.

Join the IPDA, or promote the IPDA please.

Our news letter is getting better all the time because of the many excellent contributions from our members. If you are not a member and want a free copy please email me at michaelatipda@gmail.com

I hope 2010 is happy healthy and successful for you, and this wonderful philatelic business and hobby provides you with satisfaction and pleasure. I know it will me.

Happy New Year .......... Michael

stamp dealer alert - a scam you should be aware of

Stamp Dealer Alert
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service wants to alert all APS dealer members to a scam involving the purchase of discount postage using stolen credit card numbers.

An individual using the name Gus Ferraro has contacted two dealers with a story that he is working with the Toys For Tots program. He said that the program has to mail numerous toys and he had heard that stamp dealers sometimes sell discount postage. One dealer put together a discount postage lot and sold it to Ferraro who paid for it using two different credit cards in the names of two different individuals. When questioned as to why he was using these cards, Ferraro said that the two individuals were also working with the program and had consented to the use of their cards. The discount postage was then sent FedEx at Ferraro’s request to an address in North Miami Beach, Florida. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the credit card holders had not authorized any such transaction and had no connection with either Ferraro or Toys For Tots. Ferraro is using a cell phone with a 305 area code.

Should any member dealer be contacted by Ferraro, please advise U.S. Postal Inspection Service Consumer Fraud Analyst Nick Lombardi at 973-693-5381.

Merry Christmas to everyone. If you have not received your December Newsletter, or would like a free copy please email at michaelatipda@gmail.com

I will also send a Christmas Card you might enjoy reading,

Best wishes for the holiday season .. Michael Director and Newsletter editor

writing... why ???

I am getting bored writing to myself.. Anyone reading??? I know I have not written for a few days.. well more than that.. but I have no incentive..if no one is reading why am I writing?
There seems to be such apathy out there these days.. I read some stamp boards and so few people are participating... Why?? what is happening?

Are we all time constrained..??

I am still writing my cddstamps and aviation blog even though readership is low.... I want people to read these blogs, so they learn (have you any idea how many sellers out there are screwing innocent buyers) and enjoy (that is what this is all abount isn't it?)

what is everyone consumed with these days? Tell me I would really like feedback

Best wishes... Michael

Hello, we all know how important it is to have a good catalogue. I came across this today and thought I would share with you, especially if you are looking for a Christmas present for yourself :-)

Issued a few weeks ago now by SG and available at £39.95. This catalogue is the standard reference work for specialist collectors of the "Four Kings" period of British Philately, from 1902-1952. Background information is given for all issues, with full details of plate markings, sheet arrangements, inks, papers and shades, with helpful guidance on identification. Essays, proofs and colour trials are listed and priced. Many plate flaws are illustrated and priced as are shades not listed in the GB Concise catalogue. Detailed listings of control numbers and marginal plate markings are provided. Booklet panes, postage dues, officials and Channel Island occupation issues are all fully listed. Appendixes cover perforators, booklets, specimen overprintsw, protective underprints and inland postage rates. Prices are given for mounted, unmounted and fine used examples for the period from 1902 to 1935 and for unmounted and used thereafter. On cover prices are also given for Edward VII issues. More details at Stanley Gibbons

Best wishs.... Michael

Was this seller a member of the IPDA.. I think not :-)

Hello, I was talking to a friend this afternoon about IT system Health Checks and it got me thinking, I should check out some auction sites again and see what the stamp quality is like these days. I have a few sellers I watch occassionally..only because in the past they have put up some real garbage. But tonight I have been pretty impressed and seen very few poor quality or poorly described stamps. This is good news for collectors and I am very happy to see this.

I cannot be too "all good news" can I - GOM that I am hee hee :-) so a few words of advice.
1) Please don't only rely on the sellers description. Many sellers have absolutely no clue, and just because they have hundreds or thousands of sales to their name is not proof they know what they are selling.
2) Study the picture and if in doubt ask for a large scan.. of the front AND back of the stamp(s). Read first point again because if you dont get the scan don't bid. You are likley wasting your money.
3) Finally, yes it is ok I guess to buy single stamps which are being listed at 5c or 7c, or some such apparently very low amount, but remember you can probably get these for free from a decent trade..... the stamps I see listed for these sums I give away in the hundreds. In fact I think I gave away to some of these sellers the stamps they are now selling, individually selling each stamp that is. Oh the joy of free enterprise.

FYI, I sent 100+ stamps to a letter from a child the other day, from my Children's Corner Box.. the letter I got was a child's handwriting and I am hoping I wasn't being conned because I saw many of the same stamps listed for 5c and 10c. My stamps will not have arrived yet so this is just coincidence, but it goes to show there are sellers out there doing it for themselves and only themselves. hey that is ok too.. but that doesn't mean you have to help them does it. Look for alternative sources rather than paying over the top for the odd stamp, is my advice.
4) I add this. Is the seller a member of the IPDA - Internet Philatelic Dealers Association????? If not why not. You be the judge.

Oh and the stamps I showed you above..... Lovely selection .. NOT you tell me what is wrong with them..

I'll send these stamps (from my collection spares but without the faults) for free to the first 4 of you with correct answers. email me at cddstamps@gmail.com :-)

Enjoy your stamps... Michael

collecting used stamps.. can it be done anymore

Hello, Today a friend here in Sydney gave me some stamps. He collects them from letters he receives and every now and again we meet up for lunch and exchange stories, and I get a few stamps. Of course the stamps are all modern, current issues and from a few countries, including the US and Great Britain, as well as, and mostly, Australia. I decided to sort and soak them as soon as I got home. Reason I am telling you this? Well I have not much more than 60% of what he gave me. Most stamps do not soak off these days. You knew that right? So is this the end of collecting modern issues? Of course it is. I've been saying this for a few years for a number of reasons actually. And, added to my reasons, is this use of non soluable gums. Really a way to stop stamp collecting as we have known it for the past 100 years. Why? because no one will be soaking stamps and enjoying the relaxation etc that gives, and then placing the stamps in albums. That is a dead past time, a dead hobby. Don't try to soak modern stamps. GB, Australia, US.. maybe others I do not see. You will have little to no success. Collecting from now on - actually from a few years back I started this with my own GB collection - will be with the stamp still on envelope, or at least a portion of the envelope.

So that is my ramble and rant. Your views? or have you given up collecting new issues used? Using GB as an example even as far back as 1960(the year, not the SG number) you will find used stamps are catalogued more than Mint. I've been saying for some years now, collect GB commemoratives postally used - if you can find them. :-)

so back to the stamp I showed. What a surprise to find this. How lovely a stamp is it? Brilliant in my view. But what is missing? Yes there is no postal franking. What is even more amazing is that a GB Commemorative was actually used on a letter..... :-) unexpected I am sure as Royal Mail seem to think these are issued for collectors of mint stamps only, many Post Offices do not even sell the commemoratives, so I have read.. or seen implied... Anyway, rather than get systems that work ( re franking) the Royal Mail now produce stamps with non soluble gum..... hopefully the commemoratives will still be sold in regular gums for a while, but I doubt it given the total (it would appear from anecdotal evidence) incompetency of the Royal mail franking processes. So even less chance of used commemoratives saved as stamps should be saved :-)

write to me at cddstamps@gmail.com or post a reply / comment here. If we want stamp collecting to continue as a hobby for generations to come something will have to change; either the way we collect and mount / store our used stamps, or the Postal Authorities view towards collectors, and I wouldn't back the Postal Authorities if I were you.

Enjoy your stamps.. if you enjoyed reading this, and agree, write to me. If you didn't enjoy and don't agree, write to me. I welcome all points of view.

Michael