BPA Expertising
The BPA Expert Committee was formed nearly ninety years ago. That first Committee was formed exclusively of those who earned their living through stamps – professional philatelists – who gave their time for nothing. Now, nearly a century later, nothing has changed, save the quantity of stamps to be expertised and the amount of time given without remuneration.
The original aim was to provide collectors with the opinions of those whose daily work was the handling of stamps, and whose practical experience of the forgers and repairers devilry was, in consequence, inevitably superior even to the most knowledgeable amateur. Again, nothing has changed.
Submitting Items for Expertisation
What to do when sending items
Forms required – None • Deposit required – None
A covering letter, with a credit card number will suffice.
If you are submitting from the UK
Some people send us a stamp, with a piece of paper on which is written their name and address, and a note saying “Please expertise.” This is OK. However, Mr Nice Guy says “Herewith Bermuda SG120d, unused. Please expertise.” (If you have bought the item at auction, it can be helpful to include the name and date of the sale, and the lot number.)
If you are submitting from overseas
As from the UK, plus the following:
1. Write our VAT number (321 6330 02) on the envelope.
2. Describe the contents as “Items for expertisation – not a trade export/import – value unknown until expertised.”
3. Best not to call the contents “Stamps” as it makes some carriers nervous.
4. DO NOT state a value for the items, inside or outside the envelope. Until it is expertised, nobody knows the value.
Send material by Special Delivery, or by Recorded Delivery if your insurance company are happy with that. All submissions are acknowledged by post, fax or e-mail. If you have not heard from us within 7 days (UK) or a couple of weeks (overseas), it may be as well to check with us.
Frequently asked questions
Anonymity: The identity of the person submitting an item is never divulged to the Committee. Other provenance however, other evidence, other opinions, can be helpful and should always be presented when submitting items.
Time taken: Shortest possible, consistent with accuracy. Allow a minimum of 4-5 weeks. If you want to ring and find out what’s happening, please do – it won’t speed things up any but, if it makes you feel more relaxed, go ahead. If an auction house is chasing you, tell them that we have the item and give them our number.
The BPA do NOT expertise:
• ‘Varnish’ inks
• Bisects – unless on cover
• Great Britain: the LOW value (½d-1s) Edward VII and George V shades listed only in the SG Spec. catalogue. (All Part 1 shades are expertised)
• ‘Treasury Roulettes – unless on cover.
• Australia: The Perforated “OS” issues
• New Zealand: The “OPSO” issues – unless on cover
• Canada: SG63a
But they DO expertise
• The low value (½d-1s) Edward VII and George V shades listed in the SG Part 1 catalogue.
• The Specialised shades of all other areas of G.B (QV Surface Printed, George V Seahorses, etc)
• Certain varieties not listed by SG
• Pre-stamp covers
• In fact most things philatelic, except items above
Methods of Payment
If you have not submitted before, then either: send a credit card number or, wait for us to send you a pro-forma invoice when the item is ready. Don’t send a “deposit” cheque – the thought is appreciated, but it is never for the right amount and only leads to unnecessary to-ing and fro-ing, and cheques for amounts like £2.87.
Credit cards: We accept payments by Visa or Mastercard. Given the cost of cheques, envelopes, postage, etc.,
not to mention the time involved with us writing to you, you to us and us posting the item, credit cards are undoubtedly the convenient option.
Payments from overseas: We accept, as well as credit card payments:
Cheques in sterling payable in London.
Cheques in other currencies – allow at least £10.00 for conversion costs.
