Inherited stamp collection - next steps?
pcgs_social
Posts: 90 mod
Hi,
My family recently inherited a large stamp collection. I'd perhaps have a better idea of what to do with them on the coin side, but I have no clue what to do with them now. Are there any resources you guys recommend for this? Books, catalogues, something like the Red Book lol? Should I just take them to a dealer (though, I don't know of any honestly haha)?
Thank you all so much in advance!
Isa (she/her)
PCGS Marketing
0
Comments
Not all "large" stamp collections turn out to be valuable. Some collectors just wanted quantity and bought large lots of cheap stamps to fill spaces in their albums. Other large collections were collected by very serious collectors who knew quality and bought nothing else. Those are the collections that will still have value today.
Stamp collecting is a hobby that has been in decline for many decades but there are still many stamps that have considerable value. Don't just wander into a dealer's shop and give him the impression you are an heir that just wants to "get rid of this stuff". Research what you have before making any attempt to sell.
Start by posting some photos here of the collection, especially items you think may have value. Is it all US, all foreign or a mix of both. Go to your local library and see if they have copies of the Scott Postage Stamp catalogs in their reference section. This will allow you to get some feel for what you have.
If the collection was mounted in high quality albums the albums themselves will have value. Quality stamp albums are very costly these days.
Also check to see if the mint condition stamps in the collection are hinged or never hinged. Never hinged stamps will bring more.
There are not a lot of stamp collectors on this forum but those that are will give you good advice.