I JUST INHERITED A STAMP COLLECTION

This is a phrase us stamp collectors often hear. With TV shows like Pawn Stars and Storage Wars the public will often think that an old collection could be worth a fortune. They find dads old collection in the bottom of the trunk or in an old box in the attic, it’s got be worth a lot of money is what they think. So If you have just inherit an old collection please read this article.

You can do a few things with the collection, as a stamp collector I would suggest to take up the hobby yourself. If the collection was a relative or friend they would have found great joy in the collection so may you. You may choose to sell the collection. Even if the collection has a catalogue value of $1,000 you would be very lucky to get 10% of that amount. Stamps sell for about 10-20% of current Catalogue Prices. Many times a stamp will have damage like a torn perf or a thin caused by a hinge this will also reduce the price. A dealer will offer you 10% and this is the market norm, stamp collectors themselves will often pay higher but this will be for a stamp that they want. Take a look at eBay and look at the auctions this will give you a ideal of the market. Or you could donate them. Or put them away again in storage and let one of your kids deal with the collection after you’re gone.

This forum is very helpful to find a value of the collection. Many members here will be able to give you a realistic price that you would get at a auction or dealer. But please remember that on all stamp forums you will see posts from people that just came across a collection and think they are rich. Us collectors just shake our heads when we see that. If every old collection was worth a fortune every member on this forum would be very wealth.

If you would like to have members here take a look you’re more than welcome to become a member and post about the collection. Please be aware that it might be a few days before you get a response. When you post images of the stamps please try to use a scanner. Cell phone cameras are no good a bad image members will pass by the post but if it’s a decent image they will stop and take a look. If they can help they will. The members here are very warm to new members. Many of the members here were just like you and got the stamp bug and carried on with the collection. If you don’t have a scanner you can go to your library and they will have one for you.

A very good thing also is to have a set of catalogues you will be able to use the Scott stamp catalogue at the library. This will have all the stamp that have been issued with a current price of the value based on the year of the catalogue. We have a section in this forum that is for beginners it is a place for you to post questions and members will share their knowledge with you.

Stamp collecting is a wonderful hobby, you can escape from the world yet at the same time learn so much from collecting everything is represented by stamps. I hope you will enjoy your stay on The Stamp Forum, and remember there is NO such thing as a stupid question on this forum.

Irishjack

Admin