I Am Thinking of a Stamp: Contest #3

[michael78651]

The next stamp identification contest will begin soon (watch for a posting announcing the start date and time).

The prize will be a group of used Vario and Lighthouse black stock pages in different configurations.

Here are the rules, with some minor tweaking.

1 - The first person to correctly identify the stamp that I am think of by naming the correct country and either Scott or Stanley Gibbons catalog number wins the prize. I use the 2009 Scott Catalogs and the 2008 Stanley Gibbons Catalog, so the catalog number must match those editions. However, because many probably don't have those catalogs, stamps used in this game will have been issued from 1840 to 2005. In the event of a changed catalog number, the newer catalog editions will have to prevail as that is the point of reference.

2 - The game will start on the date and time (Central Time Zone in the United States) as designated in the first post.

3 - The Stamp Wizard (that's me!) will answer questions from players (that's y'all), thus providing hints and clues to lead to the stamp's identity.

4 - Questions from players must be in a format that can be answered with either a yes or a no.

5 - A player may ask a total of 7 questions during the course of the game. When the 7th question has been asked, the player may not ask any more questions. However, the player may still submit guesses regarding the identity of the stamp, subject to the rule of submitting guesses.

6 - Players may ask only one question at a time. The next question may not be posted by any player until the Stamp Wizard has answered the previous question. Questions posted out of turn will not be answered.

7 - A player may not ask more than two questions in a row. For example, player A asks question 1, the Stamp Wizards answers. Player A asks question 2, the Stamp Wizard answers. At least one other player must ask a question before Player A can ask a third question.

8 - Answers provided will be based on the Stamp Wizard's best interpretation of the question. If the question is asked incorrectly or in a confusing manner, the answer may be unintentionally misleading. Ask carefully.

9 - Invalid questions will not be answered. An invalid question is one that asks if the catalog number is greater than / less than, in-between certain numbers or letters or countries, in a particular catalog volume, and other similar metrics. The Stamp Wizard will determine if a question is invalid, and the determination is final.

10 - Questions that are not answered will not count towards a player's question quota.

12 - The Stamp Wizard at his discretion may determine it necessary to provide a hard clue regarding the stamp's identify in the event the players appear to be stumped. If a hard clue is given, all players will have 1 question added back to their allotment. For example, Player A has asked 2 questions and has 5 remaining. After a hard clue is given, Player A will be able to ask 6 questions. If Player B has asked 7 questions, Player B will be able to ask 1 more.

13 - Players will have 3 chances to correctly identify the stamp. If a player makes 3 incorrect attempts to identify a stamp, the player is disqualified from further play. A disqualified player may not ask further questions, even if the player had additional questions remaining in the player's allotment.

14 - Players providing hints or answers to other players outside of a question or guess attempt will be disqualified, and the game may be terminated. This game can be a good device to help those unfamiliar with using catalogs learn how to conduct research. Also, while going through the catalogs, a player may find some interesting stamps that they may want to add to their collection.

15 - Let's keep this in good fun like the first one and abide by the rules so that all who want to get a fair chance to play.

[sdearth69]

I'm ready now. Now i'll be notified when it starts.

Sandy

[cocollectibles]

Win one more for Georgia, Sandy!

[sdearth69]

I hope so.

[michael78651]

Be patient, my sons.

[cocollectibles]

I'll contribute the the guessing and narrowing down of the choices, but I won't vote since I've won before. I do hope others take me up on the challenge and bid for that great prize that is going to be part of Phlat Stampley's fundraiser!

[michael78651]

I would have started the contest this weekend, but my weekend plans are not finalized, so I may not be home all that much to permit me to monitor for new questions at a reasonable rate. Plenty going on this weekend.

[oneeaglelover]

Well then, just fuhgeddabout us and do ur ting!!...Hope it is a good wknd!!

[cocollectibles]

I believe Michael said he was going to the APS show and then a train show; I like that he isn't starting this until he can be at his 'puter consistently, or else we'll all be hanging on waiting for the answer to the deep philosophical question:

Is it before 1949?

[richd4549]

[khj]

Arggghh!!! Now what am I supposed to do all weekend?

Oh, yeah, same thing I do all week. Hang around the Forum.
k

[michael78651]

Well, didn't get to go to either show. Waterpump on the car went out yesterday. Glad I wasn't on the road when it happened, well, I was actually, but I was still in my local area.

[richd4549]

Michael you would be better off with a horse than that money pit you call a car.

[michael78651]

This should be covered under warranty as this was part of the the repairs I did last year. (It better be covered.)

[michael78651]

CONTEST #3
BEGINS
FEBRUARY 24, 2009
11:00 A.M. US Central Time Zone