What to do with all these stamp collections ?
dcarr
Posts: 10,132 ✭✭✭✭✭
In my area there are no stamp dealers or buyers (other than myself).
Local coin shops know to call me when they have stamp collections come in.
I usually look through and make an offer.
Most of the time, if there is any value at all, it is in the usable postage.
I typically offer about half of current face value for "Forever" stamps.
That drops to 1/4 or 1/5 of face value for low (fixed) denominations.
I use the postage for mailing orders that are placed for my minted items.
But to say that "stamp collections have little value" is a bit inaccurate.
One recent collection had full sheets of four stamps each, of the newer Express Mail stamps.
I was somewhat surprised to see that the "Bethesda Fountain" sheets of four, in pristine unused condition and not counterfeits, will typically sell on eBay for $300 (face value is a little over $100). I also know about the "Legends of the West" sheet with the wrong photo (I have a couple of those). But I do not really know what other modern stamps are worth saving or selling via auction.
The way some stamp collectors treated their stamps is sometimes atrocious.
Like mounting their stamps in an album using "Scotch" type tape, across the FRONT of the stamps (the type of clear tape that yellows and cracks with age). I have to think that the attrition rate for some of this stuff is pretty high these days, since a lot of it is being thrown out or otherwise mistreated.
99% of the time, the stuff is junk, But once in a while there are better items, such as a pristine plate block of the C3 "Jenny" (not inverted, unfortunately, but still a good item), one album with a US #1 Franklin and a #2 Washington, and a few of the C18 50-cent Zeppelins.
A few of the better items (like the C3 plate block) I have put into my own small collection. Other than dispersing some of what I bought by using it as postage, I have not been getting rid of it. It is piling up and my wife is not too happy. I just don't have the time to sort it out and do auctions on eBay or wherever.
It would probably all fill a small "U-Haul" type truck at this point.
I might need a stamp dealer who can take it all on commission (smaller groups at a time), sort through it for premium items, and sell what is saleable on eBay.
Comments
What do you do with the foreign material? If you find collections with all sets complete it could be a tip-off that the collection contains better material. Also, collections that are carefully mounted in better albums often contain better material.
"It would probably all fill a small "U-Haul" type truck at this point."
I've just finished watching a DVD, "Adopt a Highway," available from the library. It's a little different; but, a good movie. I won't give away the ending; but, trust me, you will enjoy it.
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So far, nothing. Like I said, the stuff is piling up.
But I agree that if an album has some better US items, the foreign material may be better as well.
PS: Is there a general rule as to what foreign stamps have value ?
I assume some China stamps might have value. Anything else ?
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You are enjoying the stamps in the traditional way which is now gone...sorting, grading, organizing etc. Quantity is the quality of stamp collecting. You are spot on with the fact that the majority of the stamps are filling little squares on an album page with the good spots empty. There are always nice finds that you will enjoy but it's hard to sell stamps...even the good ones. Just like coins, you better have a certificate but even that isn't a sure thing. After 70 years I have used most of my stamps for postage, sold the good stuff about 25 years ago and kept a few pieces I like. Anyhow, good luck and take care. CC
There is no general rule as to what foreign stamps have value. I sold the bulk of my collection back in the mid-1990s. The results of the auction were very disappointing. I still have what I call my personal interest collection of various covers. Not much value but interesting to me.
See if your local library has current copies of the Scott catalogs. They will probably be in the reference section. This will at least give you a general idea as to which items might have value.
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I have the 2017 edition Scott "Specialized" catalog for US stamps. I know which classic-era US stamps have value. But I don't know most of the modern values.
My Scott catalogs for world stamps are from 1974.
For some of the world stamps, I have looked on eBay to see what similar stamps sell for.
But it takes too long to do that for everything.
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Stamp sales have always been time consuming so you must limit individual sales to the best and most expensive items.
There is also the problem of shipping and insurance costs. In the case of less expensive items I would advise taking a chance and shipping as cheaply as possible. Forget insurance, self insure. (My own feeling is that shipping insurance is wildly overpriced.) Stamps are very lightweight and can be sent in an ordinary envelope with just first class postage. View problems as a cost of doing business. Your loss rate is likely to be low. An unethical buyer may sometimes pop up but if you are into your material very cheaply just block him from future business and move on.
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When and if I ever start selling any of these stamps on eBay, my plan is to offer free shipping and put loose stamps inside a small envelope and put that envelope in a first-class letter (currently $0.82), and add the "extra ounce" postage if necessary.
I can also use some of these stamps for the postage.
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Concentrate on pre 1935 stamps. Your best resource is the 2026 Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers (1840–1940). This latest resource is $159 with free shipping. Earlier versions are available at a discount. British Commonwealth has always been popular; but, values have definitely declined.
Today stamp collecting as a hobby can be compared to spending time putting together jigsaw puzzles. NO financial rewards. : )
Love the Led Zepplin Stamps
I just purchased a lot from an auction. It was 10 binders full of Worldwide stamps (And United States) with Trains / Locomotives as a theme. I am breaking down the binders and selling on ebay as Country collections of Train stamps. It is a lot of fun to go through and I will add some things to my personal collection and sell everything else.
It also had $117.00 in mint US postage.
Bob
email bcmiller7@comcast.net
The Scott catalogs have gotten very expensive. I wonder how many libraries still buy sets for their reference sections?
They don't.