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valuating stamps



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 23rd 14, 07:45 AM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
helloworld
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Posts: 1
Default valuating stamps

Hi,

through unpredictable happenstance, I happened to be in a position to "inherit"
a sizeable collection of stamps, perhaps numbering about 3000-4000 items.
I am not a regular collector, so all shorts of questions come up, at moments.

As of now, there is no need or incentive to sell or exhibit anything,
yet I would like to know what is their value, in either the monetary or,
the philatelic sense - I can appreciate that, as well!

* What is the established practice when you are in such situation?
* What would you do to assess a 1000 stamps in bulk and no frills way?
* And what is the easy/cheap way to store them, to defer any act in the future?

Any URLs to read would be most welcome!

tia,
H.
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  #2  
Old August 23rd 14, 01:37 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
[email protected]
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Posts: 4
Default valuating stamps

On Saturday, August 23, 2014 2:45:08 AM UTC-4, helloworld wrote:
Hi,



through unpredictable happenstance, I happened to be in a position to "inherit"

a sizeable collection of stamps, perhaps numbering about 3000-4000 items.

I am not a regular collector, so all shorts of questions come up, at moments.



As of now, there is no need or incentive to sell or exhibit anything,

yet I would like to know what is their value, in either the monetary or,

the philatelic sense - I can appreciate that, as well!



* What is the established practice when you are in such situation?

* What would you do to assess a 1000 stamps in bulk and no frills way?

* And what is the easy/cheap way to store them, to defer any act in the future?



Any URLs to read would be most welcome!



tia,

H.


Hello--let's start with the easy item. Here is the URL of a longish and old article on stamp pricing, which will give you several suggestions related to stamp pricing:

http://stamps.org/CAC/resources/articles/artg002.pdf

3,000 to 4,000 stamps should seldom would take up much space. The easiest way to get a real-world cash value is to take representative parts of the collection to a nearby stamp show or bourse (bourse: a stamp show without exhibits) and show the material to several dealers and ask them what they would offer. Unless the stamps are very unusual, most dealers should be able to give you an estimate of the cash value.

How do you find a nearby stamp show or bourse? Go to the American Philatelic Society's listing of shows at:

http://stamps.org/Show-Calendar

Click on "Find shows near me" and fill out the boxes as they appear.

Two somewhat universal truths a
1. Almost all stamps in the world produced since about 1950 have been printed in such large quantities that supply greatly exceeds demand. The best value for unused modern stamps is to mail letters. (For the U.S., this truth begins about 1935.)

2. Stamp catalog prices are for almost perfect stamps being sold to a desperate buyer. Most stamps are in "average" condition and most buyers are not desperate. The average U.S. stamp sells at retail for perhaps 40$ to 60% of catalog value. Any defect--poor centering, stain, tear, thin, missing perforations, etc.--will drop the "value" to 10% or less of catalog.

An implication of #2 is that dealers can't offer to buy material at anywhere near 40% to 60% of catalog and stay in business, so they don't. (An implication of #1 is that most of what a dealer buys might stay in his stock for years.)

Hopefully this will help get your started on deciding what to do.

Stan
  #3  
Old August 24th 14, 07:52 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Terry Reedy
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Posts: 188
Default valuating stamps

On 8/23/2014 2:45 AM, helloworld wrote:

In addition to the previous good answer...

through unpredictable happenstance, I happened to be in a position to "inherit"
a sizeable collection of stamps, perhaps numbering about 3000-4000 items.
I am not a regular collector, so all shorts of questions come up, at moments.


For a general worldwide collection, 3-4000 is small. I started with
packet of 5000 different, under $50 retail. Retail is a bit higher now;
a high price dealer is selling 2000 for 35$.
http://www.mysticstamp.com/viewProducts.asp?sku=M3738

As of now, there is no need or incentive to sell or exhibit anything,
yet I would like to know what is their value, in either the monetary or,


..01 per stamp if all different and in decent condition up to $s per
stamp if a very selective collection. Most of the valuable stamps are
over century old, which is easiest to tell if they are properly mounted
on album pages. But some 19th century stamps are still common relative
to demand.

the philatelic sense - I can appreciate that, as well!

* What is the established practice when you are in such situation?
* What would you do to assess a 1000 stamps in bulk and no frills way?
* And what is the easy/cheap way to store them, to defer any act in the future?


Avoid moisture, especially if stamps have glue on the back.
Also avoid insects and light, especially sunlight.

 




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