This site was last updated
on January 22, 2020
A division of
First Choice International Inc.
Skip to: UPDATE - What's Happening at FCI Stamp Restoration January 22,
2020
High
Resolution Image of repaired Württemberg Stamp
About Us - Index
UPDATE - What's Happening at FCI Stamp Restoration –
January 22, 2020
o What do we do?
FAQs - Please read - as these will explain most of what you would will
need to know
o
Why do we repair/restore postage stamps and covers?
o
Warranty
o
How do we repair/restore postage stamps and covers?
o
ETHICS of stamp restoration and repair - our views v. the American
Philatelic Society
o
Stamp Restoration Certificates
o
Detection of Repairs and Alterations
You are visitor number
Since Jan 10, 2001
UPDATE - What's Happening at FCI Stamp
Restoration – January 22, 2020
Thank
you to all new and returning visitors for dropping in. If you find yourself in
a position where you have stamps or other philatelic material that may be in
need of some restoration or repair then you have come to the right place. We
realize that there may be other reputable restoration experts working in this
field but we have specialized in the area of restoring postage stamps and other
philatelic material for 35 years. As an example, we have designed and
manufactured our own tooling that allows us to repair perforations to 0.0001 of
an inch. Just read our section on "How”
do we repair/restore postage stamps and covers" below. We firmly believe
to have the most comprehensive and accurate tooling, - anywhere - and
that, along with a pricing policy that will allow you to even get stamps of a
lesser CV repaired and or restored.
To paraphrase a quote by Aldo Gucci:
"The Quality of Work is Remembered Long After the Price is
Forgotten”
Due to the many
emails we receive with questions relating to our service we have attempted to
save you and us some time by creating a FAQ "Frequently Asked
Question" page. Please just follow this link to the FAQs as
we are certain that this will go a long way in providing you with answers. If
you have questions or concerns that are not adequately addressed, please feel
free to contact us at: FCIstamps@gto.net
If you would
like to have help with calculating any repair costs and you have access to
Microsoft Excel, we can email you our Excel template. All you would need to do
is fill in the information and it will calculate the estimated repair cost for
you.
Thanks
Hans and Anne Marie
Who are we?
We are a small Canadian company dedicated to the preservation of postage
stamps, covers and other paper collectibles. We have been in business since
1985 and have developed a global customer base. The company was founded by Hans
Sitt Sr. who in his time was an avid stamp collector. The company was
originally known as L. Armstrong Stamp Restoration Service, named after his
former daughter-in-law. He, as is the case with many collectors, could not
always afford to stock his albums with premium quality stamps. Yet, he still
liked to add copies of these somewhat rarer varieties, even if somewhat flawed.
At that time it did not seem possible to find
anyone to repair and restore these items at a reasonable cost. Over time, much
research was done in order to learn how to restore and preserve articles of
paper. Since then, our ever-growing experience has allowed us to supplement our
techniques with new and improved methods and procedures. We can offer
affordable quality restoration and repair work, which will help to ensure the
integrity of your collection for years to come.
We operate this business on a part time basis with Anne Marie now
virtually exclusively performing the restoration work. I find I have limited
time to work on items myself but will lend a hand if and when required.
Therefore, depending on the quantity of material submitted to us and or the
complexity of the work required, it may take from several days to a few weeks for
us to return your order. If work is time sensitive it will be best for you to
email us so that we can provide you with a reasonable estimate of how long it
will take us to complete the work on your order.
What do we do?
We repair/restore postage stamps, covers and other paper collectibles in
order to maintain them in the best possible condition for the enjoyment of
philatelists and other collectors throughout the world. We offer a wide range
of services. Much of our work relates to repairs of items with flawed or
missing gum, repairing thins, torn papers, missing corners or perforations and
reperforating. We also clean soiled stamps and covers and can remove or improve
many types of stains. If necessary, we can rejoin separated perforations and
repair creases, often by keeping the original gum in tact.
The work is not exclusive to stamps and covers but also includes most any
collectible papers.
As with any repair work, there are limitations to what can be done.
Unfortunately for some items, it is not possible to achieve a marked
improvement on their condition. Unless you give us specific instructions, which
would allow us to perform whatever work we deem necessary, we would return such
items as received. If in doubt, we are happy to have you mail us any items for
evaluation and will promptly get back to you with a quotation regarding the
feasibility of repairs and associated costs.
Please feel free to take a look at our Price/Services list for more
detail. No matter where you are located, we would like to be able to add you to
our growing list of satisfied customers.
Why do we repair/restore postage stamps
and covers?
Some stamps in Canada and the United States for example are now over a
century and a half old. Due to their age, being handled by people and often
less than favourable storage conditions, many stamps
have begun to show signs of deterioration.
Really, there is little difference between repairing postage stamps,
works of art or for that matter any other collectibles. If it were not for the
fact that many of these items were properly cared for and from time to time
repaired or restored as needed, many such items would now no longer be around
for us to enjoy. Surely, it would be a great loss to all if collectibles were
discarded only because they were damaged or of otherwise lesser quality. With
every item meeting this fate another piece of history is lost. If we want to
keep our hobby, and in many cases our investment alive, then it is necessary to
stop or at least retard this aging process so that future generations may also
enjoy these collectibles.
MISSION STATEMENT
We intend to restore and repair postage stamps, philatelic items and
paper collectibles at reasonable prices employing the highest quality
workmanship.
(We strongly advise and encourage philatelists to fully disclose any
restorations or repairs of which they are aware upon disposition of these
items.)
Pricing Policy
We
charge no more than 20% of the value based on recent Scott catalogs. (Due to
their cost, we replace them only every few years and currently are still using 2011
catalogues). The basis for our charges are either the
mint or used catalog (Scott) price of the stamp, as the case may be. For repair cost valuation purposes
we do not discount the catalog value due to a stamps physical condition.
We charge this amount UP TO our Regular Price (i.e. for Regumming
this would be $7.50 USD). For a complete pricing schedule please consult our
price lists which can be accessed directly from the bottom of this web site.
For stamps valued above $100.00 USD we bill an additional 3% of the catalog
list price. By doing this, we can afford to spend the additional time on an
item in order to give it the attention it deserves. I suppose, one always could
second-guess the work done and under large magnification come to the conclusion
that something could have been done better. But, as with anything else, this
comes down to a matter of economics. For example, it is not possible for us to
spend 4 hours repairing a thin and regumming a $20.00
stamp for a price of $4.00, (20% of $20). Hence our surcharge of 3% for stamps
listed at over $100.00 USD.
Conversely,
it would still be economical for a collector to have a stamp repaired, which is
only valued at $5.00. The repair, regumming etc.
would cost only $1.00 USD. Although our charges are cumulative, the total
repair cost per item will never exceed 20% of the stamp’s, (mint or used),
listed catalog value.
An example would be as follows:
To fill a thin (regular price $18.00 USD) and to regum
($7.50 USD) a stamp with a catalog list price of $10.00 USD would cost the
lesser of 20% of the value or the Regular Repair Price. In this example the
Regular Repair Price adds up to $25.50 USD. However, due to the stamps low
catalogue value, the charge will only be 20% of $10.00 USD, which is $2.00 USD.
The cost to fill a thin and to regum a stamp with a
catalog list price of $600.00 USD would be the lesser of 20% of the catalog
list price or the Regular Repair Price plus 3% of the of the catalog price of
the stamp. In this case, the cost would be $18.00 + $7.50 + $18.00 (3% of
$600.00) for a total of $43.50 USD. This works out to only a total cost of
7.25% of the value of the stamps catalog list price.
For pricing of repairs to covers or other paper collectibles please
email us a description of the item, it's estimated value and the repairs
desired. If possible, please attach a jpg scan of the front and back of the
item at 300 dpi or greater, (if possible). This will help us greatly in
determining the cost of the repair. Depending on the work required, the minimum
charge for repairs of this nature would probably start at $50US.
When items are shipped to us, it is our policy to return these items the
same way as received. If stamps arrive by First Class Mail
we will return them by First Class Mail, if the shipment was registered, it is
returned registered - unless specified otherwise by the customer. By sending us
stamps by First Class Mail and us returning it the same way, when no request is
made by yourself to return the items via registered mail or some other
trackable means like a courier, you understand and agree that we cannot be
responsible for any stamps being lost in the mail. Please note:
Registered Mail is no longer available from Canada to the USA. We can ship
using First Class Mail, Tracked Packet or Express Post and courier, (which are
the most costly).
Warranty
For this type of work, the quality of workmanship is at best highly
subjective in nature. At times previous repairs done by others are exposed only
after our work has commenced. As we strongly believe in satisfying our
customers, we fully warrant OUR work. At our discretion, we will either rework
any stamp(s), which were not restored by us to your satisfaction or any money
paid by you for such repairs/restorations will be unconditionally refunded. It
is understood by both parties that any money refunded only applies to the
repair cost charged by First Choice International Inc. (FCI Stamp Restoration
Service). Although we take all reasonable care to protect any items entrusted
us for restoration or repair, YOU, the owner or its authorized agent, is solely
responsible for any loss or damage to your items while in our custody, however
caused.
How do we repair/restore postage stamps
and covers?
We use similar techniques to repair rips and tears, thins in paper as
would be applied by conservators treating any paper of value. Much care is
taken to repair physical flaws to the paper or to replace gum, which might be
damaged or missing completely. Most of this is very delicate and time-consuming
work and it is not uncommon to have to repeat procedures in order to affect the
proper repair. Usually, other than taking additional time, this doesn't present
us with problems as most of our processes are reversible.
Just for example, as part of our tool inventory, we designed and
manufactured a set of perforation dies consisting of 44 dies of varying spacing
and an accompanying set of 22 hole punches. The
perforation dies are manufactured in varying sizes starting with dies for a
perforation of '7' (spacing of 0.1125 inches or 2.856mm) up to a perforation
'16' (spacing of 0.0492 inches or 1.250mm). Our set of dies includes all dies
as referred to by the Kiusalas USA and Canada
Specialist Gauges. Sizes for our punches start at .023 inches (.711mm) in
diameter up to .046 inches (1.168mm) in diameter in .001 inch
(.025mm) increments.
We manufacture our own papers and water-soluble adhesives. Our gum has
special additives to obtain various degrees of flexibility, colour
and sheen. We also modify our gum Arabic to ensure that it lays flat when
applied.
Along with the above, we do have other specialty tools so that we are
able to provide you with some of the best restoration work available today.
Ethics of stamp restoration and repair -
our views vs. the American Philatelic Society
This is a topic, which often comes up in conversation with collectors
and dealers and it is one that we also have strong feelings about, although it
may be easy to guess which side of the discussion we lean towards. Due to a
difference in our views, we are no longer members of the APS. The reason being,
that the APS insists that repaired, restored or altered stamps are to be
identified with indelible ink. We, however, are of the opinion that we spend a
great deal of time and effort to restore a stamp's appearances and are not
prepared to deface these items with indelible ink unless the customer, (whose
property these stamps are), so wishes. It was for this reason that we were
'expelled'.
We are of the opinion that there are no repairs or alterations that we
or anyone else could make, which would not be detectible with very affordable present day technology; in most cases without resorting to
the hi-tech light, (crime), spectrometer as was purchased by the APS. Often,
rather simple methods can be used to determine whether or not a stamp was
restored or altered. Commonplace scanners that are found in virtually every
home can go a long way in exposing the repairs. We therefore believe that
indelibly marking a stamp is redundant. Besides, when using the proper tools,
it is not that difficult to remove an indelible mark should someone want to do
so.
Seemingly, some people at the top of this organization have to rely on
what we believe are slanderous remarks as a means of attacking our service and
credibility. I especially resent the implications that our intent, (and that of
our customers), is to defraud other collectors. We strongly believe that OUR
CUSTOMERS ARE HONEST AND TRUSTWORTHY people. In the 35+ years in this business
we have had no reason to believe otherwise. We encourage all philatelists and
other collectors, whether or not they are our customers, to do what is legally
and morally correct when they deal with restored, repaired or altered stamps
and covers.
Stamp Restoration
Records
Although our main interest is the restoration of stamps, covers and
other paper collectibles and return them to our customers as quickly as possible,
we do spend a considerable amount of time scanning images of all items sent to
us for repair, before and after the work is done. We do this for both our own
and our customers’ records. If requested by the customer we can issue a high quality Restoration Certificate at an additional fee of
$10.00 US per page. (Depending on image sizes we can fit up to 8 items onto one
8.5" x 11" sheet). Please specify your requirements at the time of
the order.
It
must be understood, that our certificates only verify the work performed by FCI
Stamp Restoration Service, (Division of First Choice International Inc.). They
are not intended to verify the authenticity of stamps or covers, or the
restoration, repairs or alterations performed by others.
Back
in 1997 during the World stamp Expo in San Francisco, I was told at a meeting
with the board of the APS that our certificates are 'worthless'. I suppose they
have a valid point since it seems that someone in an office
hundreds or even thousands of miles away should be better qualified to
tell you what done than we, who did the actual work. If you need an expertizing
service, I am certain, that for a fee, the nice people at the APS or other
accredited agencies, companies or individuals will be more than happy to assist
you.
Stamp
Restoration Certificates
High Resolution Image of COLOUR Certificate of Restoration High
Resolution Image of B&W Certificate of Restoration
Detection of Repairs
and Alterations
There are a number of good resource books available on the subject of
detecting restored, repaired, altered stamps as well as fakes and forgeries.
Most of this material is available from the American Philatelic Society and
some through your local stamp dealer(s) and now, probably on the internet.
This is a very comprehensive subject on which volumes have been written. It
takes a lot of effort to address this topic in the depth that it deserves which
I believe has already been successfully done by a number of authors.
Some of the resources available are:
1. Scott
- Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue
2. Linn's
World Stamp Almanac
3. 'How
to Detect Altered and Repaired Stamps' by Paul W. Schmid
4. 'Out-Foxing
the Fakers' by Jean-Francois Brun
5. 'Fundamentals
of Philately' by L.N. Williams
6. ...
and many others ...
There is also a soft-cover manual that was published
by Midvale Philatelic Gallery called 'How to Regum
Stamps'. The booklet addresses a number of valid issues but in my humble
opinion many of the suggested methods of repairing and regumming
stamps are seriously flawed and may do more harm than good.
Perhaps one day I will add my own 2 cents worth on this subject.
Where are we located?
First Choice International Inc.
or
FCI Stamp Restoration
Service57 DAUGAARD AVE.
PARIS, ON N3L 4B9
CANADA
Tel: (226) 401-2501 (Business/Home - Voice Mail)
Cell: (705) 989-7224 (Anne Marie)
Cell: (519) 501-5757 (Hans)
E-mail: FCIstamps@gto.net
Prices/Services lists
The following lists provide our customers with information on services
available and costs involved. Please
feel free to print a copy of any of the following price/services lists.
Please note: Services other than those listed may be available upon request -
pricing would vary accordingly.
IT COSTS NOTHING TO BROWSE!
The only difference between the following lists is that the pricing is adjusted
to reflect different currencies.
Canadian
Visitors and Customers
U.S.
Visitors and Customers
International
Visitors and Customers
Contact Us:
We welcome any reader
comments or questions regarding our service. Please call or email us at: