Old stamp collection

I have been asked by her Executor to ' do something' about a stamp '
collection ' seemingly amassed by the father/mother of a neighbour who has
died in her eighties.

The stamps date largely ( from the datestamp ) and other evidence from the
years immediately prior to 1900, the years before the First World War,
overprints of German stamps from the Occupation of Belgium in 1914,
overprints from the various German ' free states ' in the chaos following
1918, China and Japan pre-1914, the Balkan States, Romania, Hungary,
Greece, Turkey, French colonies, Central American republics - El
Salvador, Nicaragua, Philippines - overprint American Commonwealth and
numbers of others.

Can anyone advise me on what to do or if interested in purchase I can email
a scan. Many are mounted in what appears to be Eastern European albums
bearing an printed word 'eteki '.

PP

Here are some things you may wish to consider, from one of our members,
HTH




I've inherited / want to sell a stamp collection. Where do I go from
here?

Many people who inherit / want to sell a stamp collection have no idea
of the value of the collection or what to do with it. The following
will give you some ideas in the event you find yourself in this
position.

Collect stamps yourself

Stamp collecting is one of the world's most popular hobbies,
satisfying our collecting instincts and providing an insight into the
history, geography and culture of the countries whose stamps are
collected. Many people find it therapeutic and relief for stress.

For information on stamp collecting please contact your local stamp
club.

Details of stamp clubs can be obtained from:
APS (USA), RPSC (Canada), RPSL (UK) etc.
http://www.stamps.org/
http://www.rpsc.org/
http://www.rpsl.org.uk/


How valuable could it be?

If you decide not to collect stamps find out the value of the
collection. Most collectors save stamps because they enjoy the hobby.
Collections are often built of stamps obtained from mail, usually the
most common values. As a result most collections aren't worth a
fortune. Many people overvalue stamps in their possession. Because a
stamp is old doesn't mean it's valuable. Many old stamps were issued
in large quantities. However, there have been occasions where valuable
stamps have been destroyed because collectors have told their partners
their collection is of 'no value' in order to avoid criticism about
money spent on the hobby. Collections have been disposed of cheaply by
inheritors being unaware of the value.

Stamp values are determined by:
(a) supply and demand: A stamp printed in large numbers will rarely
have much value. A very rare stamp is of little value if there are few
people wishing to buy it.
(b) condition: The condition of a stamp is very important in
determining its value. A damaged stamp is usually of little value
unless it is exceedingly rare.
Stamp catalogues are used as basis for a dealer's selling price.
Because they need to make a profit on a purchase dealers will normally
buy a stamp for a percentage of its catalogue price.

Take care of the collection
Water, mould or insects easily damage stamps. Don't leave the
collection in a damp garage or basement. Before you have the
collection valued never remove stamps from an envelope or postcard.
Many stamps, particularly older ones, can be worth more on cover than
as a single stamp. Take the collection in the albums, books or boxes
in which it was housed.

Have the collection valued
To be sure of the real value have the collection properly valued. Some
stamp clubs value material or could suggest where you might go.
Members of the American Stamp Dealers Association (ASDA) agree to
abide by a code of ethics and will either provide you with a realistic
idea of what the collection is worth or refer you to another dealer,
collector or stamp club with specialised knowledge.
For details of members check Web: http://www.asdaonline.com/


Disposal of the collection

After you've found out the collection's value your options include
giving it away or selling it.

Giving it away
If the collection has little monetary value consider giving it to a
young relation, neighbour or a stamp club for young people. For
details of these clubs contact your local stamp club.

Selling it

If the collection has a reasonable value you may wish to sell it. The
major ways include:
- selling directly to a dealer;
- consigning it to an auction house;
- sale through a stamp club; or
- sale via eBay

Selling to a dealer
For most people direct sale to a dealer is the most convenient method
of selling a collection. A member of the NZSDA will make you a fair
offer for the collection or direct you to another dealer who may be
interested. It is worthwhile obtaining at least two offers. Dealers
may not be interested in buying material when they have no potential
buyer or when they are already well stocked. A dealer may be
interested in only a few items in the collection. Try alternative
buyers before allowing the collection to be split.

Selling by auction
If the collection has significant value the best method of disposal is
by auction. ASDA members can advise of auction houses able to sell the
material. Some larger stamp societies also run regular auctions often
specialising in estate collections. Auctions may have world-wide
clientele so you will get the best market value. Commission, however,
may be as high as 25%.

Stamp Club sales
Where the collection consists mainly of lower value material and the
person from whom the collection was inherited was the member of a
stamp club the club may be able to offer the collection for sale
through its members.

I hope that this helps you.

Blair Stannard