| Scandinavian Expertizing, Consulting, and Collection Review Services |
As a Scandinavian specialist dealer for over 30 years, I have examined thousands of important and rare Scandinavian stamps and covers and have had the privilege of examining hundreds of significant Scandinavian collections.
Starting in 2003, I am publicly offering my expertizing and consulting services. I have volunteered my time as an expertizer for the American Philatelic Society for many years. Over the years I have assisted hundreds of clients to identify and determine the authenticity and quality of their stamps. Now my certificates for Scandinavian philately are publicly available.
Color Certificates: If you have individual Scandinavian stamps, covers, or other items, for which you need confirmation of their identity and examined for quality, defects, and repairs, you will find my color certificates to be exactly what you are seeking. If you are in the process of purchasing an item and need a quick opinion, you will find my average turnaround time of two weeks to be very helpful. See the full explanation of the service and fees, view a sample certificate, and download a submission form.
Collection Review Service: As a dealer, many of the stamp collections I purchase contain misidentified stamps or stamps with defects or other quality problems of which the owner was not aware. For many years I have privately offered a "collection review" service in which clients send album pages from their collections to me for review of identification and examination of quality. This service is now publicly available and can even be free in some circumstances.
Consulting: Many collectors have questions about their stamps and collections. For example, "how can I build this specialized collection to the next level?" Or, sometimes more specifically... "is this type of postmark typical for this stamp" or "how does one identify stamps of this issue". Additionally, most collectors also have questions about the value of their stamps: "what affect on value does this [defect, postmark, centering] have on my stamp". I am happy to answer such queries either individually or as part of a broader examination of individual stamps or an entire collection. Lastly, when a collector is building a significant specialized collection, it is helpful to seek advice and counsel about how to proceed, what to include, what not to include, etc. I welcome such inquiries. |
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| Color Certificates |
You shall receive a color-illustrated certificate clearly identifying and describing the item, with a statement regarding authenticity, condition (mint, never hinged, used, etc.), and quality, with notations of any defects, repairs, or other problems. Identification is made using the Scott Catalog and the appropriate specialized Catalogs (Facit, NK, AFA, Norma, etc.). Here is an illustration of a sample certificate.
I endeavor to maintain an average turnaround time of two weeks or less. Most certificates are issued only for individual stamps, covers, blocks, etc. In certain cases it may be possible to obtain a single certificate for a set or group of items, at an additional charge. This is not recommended for items that you plan to sell.
Download the submission form here.
Submissions will not be signed, marked, encapsulated, or altered in any way.
My certificates represent my opinion regarding the item and carry with them absolutely no guarantee or warranty of any sort unless expressly stated in writing on the certificate (not currently publicly available).
Specific questions, requests for additional information, or opinions regarding value, shall be answered when possible, though there may be a small additional charge. Please state any questions clearly and concisely. In any event, please include your email address for speedier service in case I have a question for you.
Prior to submission, used stamps or mint stamps without gum should be thoroughly cleaned (soaked), if it is safe and appropriate to do so, of any hinges, paper remnants, or other adhesions. Items not properly prepared may result in being returned without a certificate and with an administrative fee charged.
Fees for Color Certificates:
Items, catalog value* $750 or less, Minimum fee: $18.00
Items, catalog value* above $750, fee: 2.5% of catalog value*
Covers, additional fee: $5.00
Stamps with surcharges or overprints, additional fee: $4.00
Sets or groups of stamps (only possible in certain cases), additional fee: $5.00
Additional fees may apply to very high value items, items requiring extensive research, or for the answering of related questions, opinion of value, etc.
Items for which no current catalog value is available will incur fees based on my estimate of their market value.
Forgeries, counterfeits, bogus stamps, etc., and low-value stamps obviously incorrectly identified, are subject to a minimum fee of $15 (plus return shipping charge) if the owner has explicitly requested that no certificate be issued in such a case. If I am not able to render an opinion and thus a certificate is not issued, there will be only a $10 administrative charge, plus the cost of return shipping.
Download the submission form here.
Return Shipping Charges:
Value $2000 or less, mailed** to U.S. address: $5.00
Value $2000 or more, mailed*** to U.S. address: $10.00
Any value, mailed**** to non-U.S. address, sent by registered mail: $10.00
Other mail services, heavy items, etc., may have additional charges.
* Catalog value refers to the value listed in the appropriate specialized catalog (not the Scott Catalog), such as the Facit Catalog. (An exception is the Norgeskatalogen which uses a different valuation method.)
** Sent by Certified Mail, with philatelic insurance.
*** Sent by Registered Mail, with philatelic insurance.
**** Sent by Registered Mail; insurance only available in certain cases. Please confirm situation before submitting items.
Shipment of items to me is done at the submitter's risk while in transit. While in my custody, items are covered by my philatelic insurance. Shipment of items back to the submitter is insured per the information in the Return Shipping Charges section; the insurance coverage is based by the insurance company upon the opinion I have rendered, not upon the submitter's original identification.
Payment:
All fees and charges are in U.S. Dollars. Advance payment is required. Because of the possible variability of fees, I highly recommend payment be made using MasterCard or Visa. Credit card information may be submitted accompanying the submission(s) or via the Internet to my secure web site at https://secure.JaySmith.com.
If you do not use a MasterCard or Visa, payment may be made by check or money order in U.S. Dollars, or by cash (at sender's risk) in U.S. Dollars, Euros, Swedish Kroner, Danish Kroner, or Norwegian Kroner. Additionally payment may be made with full gum U.S. postage at 80% of face value; see details.
If you are not using a credit card for payment, you will receive much faster return of your submissions if you pay in excess of the anticipated fees and charges. In such cases, please clearly instruct me as to whether the excess should be refunded in U.S. Dollars (usually cash) or be kept on account for future submissions.
Clients expecting to make regular submissions may establish an account by pre-paying at least $100. Additional pre-payments to "refill" the account will be requested as necessary.
Download the submission form here. |
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| Collection Review Service |
Have you wondered if you have the Norwegian Posthorn issues sorted out correctly? Do the Finnish Serpentines puzzle you? Are you concerned that you might have purchased some stamps with hidden flaws? Would you like to upgrade the quality of your collection, but are not sure for which stamp issues this is a reasonable possibility?
You are certainly not alone in these types of concerns! Many collectors find themselves with questions or concerns about the identification and quality of the stamps in their collection.
My Collection Review Service is intended to assist you with these broad questions about your collection. When you send part or all of your collection for review, I will verify the identification of the stamps and look for possible quality problems. (Send the stamps on the album pages if you want the stamps identified for your album!) In the case of individual stamps that typically need expertization, I will advise you of that fact; the review is not a substitute for expertization. Your stamps will be sorted out correctly and I will report with answers to any questions you may have or with suggestions as to any stamps that are likely candidates for upgrading.
Additionally, you may request as part of the review, an appraisal for insurance or estate planning purposes.
The fee for the Collection Review Service is based on the amount of time involved. The minimum fee is $50, plus return shipping costs. If an appraisal is requested, the fee will likely be higher and is based on the amount of time required.
Clients actively purchasing similar types of stamps from me may be eligible for a FREE collection review. Please inquire. |
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| Consulting |
Are you considering expanding your collection into a new specialized area and are seeking advice? Have you been offered a "significant philatelic property" but are not sure if it fits your collecting goals? Do you feel that you are at a dead end with your collection and you are looking for ideas of how you can continue to build it?
Do you have specific questions about aspects of one or more stamps or parts of your collection? Do you wonder about the effect upon value that a [defect, postmark, centering] have on a stamp".
I am happy to answer such queries either individually or as part of a broader examination of individual stamps or an entire collection.
When a collector is building a significant specialized collection, it is helpful to seek advice and counsel about how to proceed, what to include, what not to include, etc. I welcome such inquiries.
Consulting services are available for a fee and are based upon the amount of time required. In many cases, these issues cross-over with Expertization and/or Collection Review. The lowest appropriate fee will be charged. Generally speaking, the minimum fee is $10 to cover the administrative costs.
Clients actively purchasing similar types of stamps from me are generally eligible for FREE consultations whenever desired. Please inquire. |
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| Download Certificate Submission Form |
You may download the submission form in PDF format or you may email to request that forms (specify how many) be sent to you by postal mail.
(Items submitted without the form are accepted, however, risks and costs of misunderstandings or miscommunication is then borne by the submitter.)
Click here to download the Certificate Submission Form in Acrobat PDF format.
Note: It is best to RIGHT CLICK the link ABOVE and select the option that is labeled something like "Save Target As" or "Save Link As". This will save the PDF file on your hard disk so that you may use Adobe Acrobat to print out a copy whenever you want one. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available free from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html |
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| Sample Certificate |
An actual certificate would also be signed and dated.
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