This site was last updated on January 22, 2020

FCI Stamp Restoration Service   57 Daugaard Ave, Paris ON N3L 4B9 Canada

 

A division of

First Choice International Inc.

About Us - Index

Skip to: UPDATE - What's Happening at FCI Stamp Restoration January 22, 2020

 

before and after image of repaired stamp


High Resolution Image of repaired Württemberg Stamp

 

About Us - Index

UPDATE - What's Happening at FCI Stamp Restoration – January 22, 2020

 

o   Who are we?

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   MISSION STATEMENT

o   Pricing Policy

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 Records

o   Stamp Restoration Certificates

o   Detection of Repairs and Alterations

o   Where are we located?

o   Prices/Services Lists

o   Contact Us:

o   Link to related Sites

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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

 

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.)

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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).

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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.                                                

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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Stamp Restoration Certificates

(colour) Certificate of Restoration
High Resolution Image of COLOUR Certificate of Restoration High Resolution Image of B&W Certificate of Restoration

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

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Where are we located?

First Choice International Inc.
or

FCI Stamp Restoration Service


 
57 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
 
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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.



Image of Canadian FlagCanadian Visitors and Customers

Image of American FlagU.S. Visitors and Customers

Image of United Nation FlagInternational Visitors and Customers

Contact Us:

We welcome any reader comments or questions regarding our service. Please call or email us at:

FCIstamps@gto.net (Hans & Anne Marie Sitt)

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