This site was last updated
on APRIL 15, 2025
A
division of
First Choice International Inc.
40 YEAR Family
Operated Business (since 1985) .
Skip to IMPORTANT NOTICE re unanswered emails
Click here to see High Resolution Image of repaired
Württemberg Stamp
Index
o
IMPORTANT NOTICE re unanswered emails, (Apr 15,
2025)
o What do we do?
– Our Services
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 – April 15, 2025
Thank
you to all new and returning visitors for dropping in.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE, (re: unanswered emails)
Due
to a long unnoticed configuration issue with our FCIstamps@gto.net email account we unfortunately lost
almost all of our historical emails which our internet provider was unable to
recover. This happened around the end of March of this year but was resolved
around April 7, 2025.
Our
sincere apologies go out to anyone who had attempted to contact us during this
time period as your email message would have been amongst those that were
accidentally deleted. We therefore would
not have known to respond to your message(s).
As
mentioned above, this issue has now been resolved and we do not expect further
disruption in the email service.
For
our previous customers, chances are that your email addresses my also have been deleted so please contact us again so we
can update our files.
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 40 plus 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? – Our Services
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. Occasionally, 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, color 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 restored or repaired 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'.
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.
Digital Microscopes that connect to your computer can be purchased on Amazon
for less than $100 and give you 1000x magnification. We use one ourselves.
Therefore, indelibly marking a stamp is redundant.
Seemingly, some people at the top of this organization have to rely on
what in our opinion 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 40+ 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 was 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.
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
First Choice International Inc.
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
We welcome any reader comments or questions
regarding our service.
Please
note: Due to numerous, sometime daily, spam and nuisance calls, calls not
showing caller ID may be automatically rerouted to a blocked call list. If you
encounter our voicemail answering service, please be so kind and leave a
message with your name and telephone number and we will return your call as
soon as we can.