The sheet is Wincanton perforated,  as far as I can tell from the photo. (I haven't received it yet).

Now I was under the impression that there were only three perforated full sheets of TOA's out there, (and admittedly also a fair number of Imperforate sheets now), so this seems to be a fairly rare item... Even if it's not complete. Even if just regarded as a block, it must still be fairly unusual.

Unless any of you know better of course?

Have I just got a good buy, or have I bought a turkey?  

 

Surely it all comes down to how much you trust the seller.

 

Have they got a history of selling unsatisfactory goods?

 

On eBay a quick look look at their feedback will instantly tell you how reputable they are, and how accurate their descriptions are.

 

But more than that, ask yourself why anyone might go to all the trouble of mis-describing a sheet when these stamps are so well documented? The different types of papers they are printed on, the type of printing, the design of the sheet... all of these things are so well documented and authenticated online that it would be quite easy to reassure yourself of your purchase once it has arrived.

 

The best advice might be to take the time to ask the seller directly about your items' background before you buy... Was it bought from the shop? A competition prize? Did it come from the archive of one of the many people who have been involved in the production of these stamps since 2005? If it is unusual then does it come with a certificate of authenticity? If any of these items are later found to be mis-described when your item arrives you can justify asking for a refund and/or complain to eBay.

 

And then weigh up the seller and their history. Are they new to eBay, have they got lots of Discworld stamps items to sell, or other cinderellas too. How long have they been trusted to sell stamp items there? A year? Three? More? 

 

Why not search for their seller name here or on the shop forum website?  A quick Google of an eBay name will bring up links to previous eBay sales and tell you something of the sellers' history and reputation.

 

Many sellers are well known to the cinderella and Discworld community and would not risk losing their hard-earned reputations over the single sale of a stamp or sheet. 

 

The seller stands to gain more from building a long-term relationship with the limited number of buyers who are interested in collecting more unusual items. 

 

In all probability it is less likely that sellers would seek to deceive or disappoint in such a public way when listing a more unusual item than with more common stamp items, because they know their item will attract more intensive scrutiny from the most experienced collectors.

 

I hope that helps put your mind at rest 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to get back to me about this. 

As it turns out, I've dealt with the seller before, and I've always been entirely happy with everything I've bought from him. 

It was the specific history of the sheet that I was interested in, as blocks of 10 year 1 TOA's are about as common as rocking horse apples. I also want to know if this was once part of one of the three full sheets of perforated Y1 TOA's that are thought to exist. If so then they just got even rarer! 

I'm entirely satisfied that the stamps will be genuine, and that they will arrive promptly. 

Funnily enough I've been buying from e-bay for some time now, and I always check feedback. I also have already been in touch with the vendor, who very kindly put me in touch with the person who sold them to him... I've contacted them and am waiting for a reply. 

I fully agree with you about the Discworld stamp community being a close one, and that everyone who either buys or sells DW stamps is proud of their good reputations, and wouldn't sully them on any account.

It's also to some extent true that I was checking to see if others on the board also thought I'd got a good deal... I'm extremely happy with a block of 10 Y1 TOA's for under £20, postage included!