In my phone conversation with Charles Fricke, he told me that dealers were concerned when he scrutinized a cover in their stock. Why was he looking at that cover? Is there something about it that makes it more valuable?

Charles said that he sometimes took his name badge off when going through the dealer tables. Some dealers were concerned that Charles made a steal on some item in their stock. Which was sometimes true, but not always.

Here is the key though. Charles was very well versed in philately. He had a lot of knowledge and he wasn’t afraid to put that knowledge to use. Yes, that meant that he sometimes bought something at a bargain price.

To the dealers who were concerned when they saw Charles coming, I say, “Too bad.” Why couldn’t Charles put his knowledge to use? There is nothing wrong with that.

Just because Charles knew something that a dealer did not is not a crime. And I don’t understand why a dealer would be upset. They bought the item and they were reselling it at a fair profit. So they were still making money on the item. Why should Charles or anyone else go through a dealer’s stock and say, “This cover is worth $100 and not the $1 you have it listed at. It has this attribute that makes it more valuable.”

The door swings both ways. Sometimes a collector can spot a bargain. Sometimes a dealer spots a more valuable item when breaking down a collection for sale. Do not disparage a collector because they know something you do not know.