Space Filler
By John Finch, About.com Guide
Definition: A space filler is copy of a hard to find and expensive stamp, that is in a lesser condition than is acceptable.
Space Fillers Only
Want to fill a lot of album space fast and cheap? These stamps have multiple faults and no self-respecting stamp collector would want them as permanent parts of their collection. BUT they make great space-fillers! ...
The question is: how much should you pay for a space filler? Some would say that for very expensive, hard-to-find stamps, perhaps 10 percent of catalog value is fair. Others argue that only 5 percent or so of catalog value is warranted.
Spacefiller
A damaged or inferior copy of a stamp valued chiefly for its ability to fill a spot in an album. It is assumed that the stamp will be replaced when a better example is obtained, unless it happens to be very rare or valuable.
Space-filler - a stamp not perhaps of the highest quality, but sound and presentable enough to warrant inclusion in a collection.
Space Filler: A stamp in poor condition used to fill the designated space in a stamp album until a better copy can be found.
Special Delivery: A service providing expedited delivery of mail. Called Express by some nations.
Space Filler - A poor condition stamp that is used to fill the designated space in an album until a better specimen is (hopefully) acquired.
filler
A stiff piece of paper, cardboard or plastic found inside a first day cover. It provides necessary stiffness for a clearer cancellation. It also protects the cover from bending when it travels through the mail stream.
Filler. An imperfect stamp mounted temporarily.
Fiscal. A revenue stamp, or postage stamp used as a revenue.
Flat Plate. A form of printing where the plate is flat, in contrast to rotary plate which is curved.
Very Good: A well centered stamp but may have minor imperfections such as freshness or color Good/Average: Not well centered or having minor flaws. Space Filler: Major flaws but suitable for temporary inclusion in a ...
Space-filler - Damaged, heavily cancelled or otherwise poor copy of a difficult stamp that fills a gap until a better one comes along.
Specimen - (i) A single copy of a postage stamp or other philatelic item.
Filler: stiff piece of paper or cardboard used inside a cover to provided stiffness for a clear cancellation and provide protection against bending of the cover while in the mail stream.
Filo di seta: (It.) silk thread.
Since most paper is either printed or written upon, fillers are added to the pulp to fill the pores of the paper and sizing is added to make the fibers water resistant, yet both act as fillers.
The above simply creates 'filler' material - much like the damaged stamp in Chris' collection pictured at the left; note the upper left corner - it shows that you, at least, have something.
For anything but the rarest stamps, where there are so few that any condition is acceptable, stamps with GOOD centering are considered little more than space fillers. Some people call this grade AVERAGE.
F = FINE.
It is badly torn and not worth even being a "space-filler". If you don't like cancellations, you might like #5. But it is a bit low in its centring, with a larger space at the top, between the stamp and the perforations.
Many of these crude counterfeits were made in the 1870s, when there was a ready market for them as space fillers. There was little intent to defraud contemporary collectors.
Stamps which fall below these standards should be ignored and are not worth acquiring by the serious collector; however beginners sometimes collect them as starters. These are known as "space fillers".
If you send off a cover to be CdTO (some would say ‘CTOd’ but it is more correctly ‘Cancelled to Order’—I know, I know—picky picky!), it is compulsory to send a SASE, along with a filler or stiffener for ...
" Only otherwise very valuable stamps would be offered at auction in "poor" condition. Collectors sometimes wish them as "space fillers" - to fill a space in their albums until a better copy may be secured.
 See also: Stamp, Used, Catalog, Cancel, Condition
  
|
RSS
