About Sturminster Stamps

SPECIALIST IN FINE GREAT BRITAIN LINE-ENGRAVED

ABOUT STURMINSTER STAMPS

About Me
I have collected stamps for over 50 years, concentrating for most of that time on the early British Line-Engraved issues, latterly exclusively from Plate 5 of the 1d Black (and the 1d Reds printed from the plate), and am making progress with a complete reconstruction of the plate in all states. I was recently largely responsible for redrafting the section on Plate 5 in the 12th (2001) Edition of the SG Specialised Catalogue, Part 1. I have just completed a long overdue major review of the plate, and have prepared a paper on it. It is available on this link PLATE 5 REVIEW for anybody who is interested... Please note that all pictures are thumbnails - for larger pics, click on the thumbnail for a 'pop-up' full size picture...

I have been in business as a dealer in these issues since early 2001, on my retirement from a previous career, and am becoming increasingly interested (and rapidly acquiring expertise!) in those issues which have not formerly been part of my collecting interest. The perforated 1d Red 'Stars' have become a strong part of my stock...

References
I do all my own plating (and rarely take any notice of pencilled plate numbers on the back of stamps - they are too often wrong!). I use a number of reference works to assist in this process, and a list which may be found helpful by those wishing to do their own plating can be found on my 'HELP' page...

Expertisation
As a general rule, I do not obtain certificates for rarities from any of the Expertisation Committees - the cost is prohibitive, and I prefer to keep my prices sensible. Should a customer wish to obtain a certificate, it must be clearly understood that it is undertaken at the customer's own expense, and in the event of a disagreement (none of us is perfect - including the Expert Committees!), expertisation fees will NOT be refunded.

Condition
I operate strict and uncompromising standards as to condition - though I have been known on occasion to miss minor faults! I will endeavour to specify any faults found, major or minor: your pleasure and satisfaction is my aim, and the last thing I want is a disappointed customer. Far too much rubbish described as 'Fine' or 'Very Fine' is offered for sale these days, and I refuse to be part of such a practise, which to me as a retired policeman amounts to fraud! To the best of my ability, condition will always be as described - life's too short to drink bad wine!

Buying
I am always looking for good quality Line-Engraved stock, whether collections, accumulations or fine single items. I am also prepared to consider purchasing collections of more general material, if there is a significant Line-Engraved content. Prices paid will, of course, depend on condition, but in broad general terms, for average-to-fine mixed condition collections or accumulations, 10% of catalogue value will be paid. For fine items or small accumulations, prices would of course be negotiable beyond this basic figure. Where distance permits, a direct viewing will be arranged. If that is not practicable, other arrangements can be considered.

Valuations/Advice
I do valuations, and give advice as to disposal, even if I am not buying material on offer: sadly however, in spite of having long provided this service free, if it is necessary to travel to view such material, the cost of fuel these days is such that I will have to charge travelling expenses....sorry!

Please contact me at: Martin Jenkinson, Sturminster Stamps, PO Box 4738, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2BN, UK
Telephone: 0044 (0)1258 472720 or Email: sturstamps@aol.com

Private Sales
Within reasonable limits, I am prepared to travel to your home (or some other suitable meeting place) to provide a private viewing service of my extensive stock. Please contact me to make an appointment.
If it is not possible to make a private viewing appointment, why not come and view my stock at a Stamp Fair? I regularly attend stamp fairs in the South and South West of England, and in the Midlands. See Fairs Diary for more details.

Mail Order
I carry a large stock of Line-Engraved material, on and off cover, from 1840-1870, far too much to list on my Website, or to offer individually in eBay auctions. Whilst I concentrate on fine-to-superb material for my listings, a stock of less than fine is also available. If you cannot find what you want, I may have it in stock... please enquire.

Wants
Please complete the Secure 'Wants' Form if you wish to register your 'Wants' with me, for notification as and when suitable material becomes available:

Mail Order/Approvals
Under normal circumstances, if I am able to meet a particular requirement, I will Email scans of items for a customer's consideration. Subject to a decision as to selection of items required, payment will be expected in advance of despatch.

For regular customers well-known to me, however, I offer an APPROVAL service, where a batch of suitable agreed items will be forwarded for consideration, normally on 14 days' approval, with a very favourable discounted rate for acceptance of all items sent.

Martin Jenkinson

Current eBay Material

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