mae
**Member** 
Posts: 5
What I collect: Textiles, jewelry, Empire furniture, things Cornish and things Turkish, unusual stones...
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Post by mae on Oct 29, 2022 15:59:32 GMT
Hi everyone,
Thank you for the opportunity to post on this forum. I'm from the Midwest, very near the Great Lakes! It was 27 brisk degrees here this morning and we've had a few flurries! YIKES! I'm not ready for winter yet! I'm close to 70 and have been married to my college sweetie for 50 years! Ok... nuf bout me...
I found myself with several older (50-60's) incomplete stamp albums in my lap and a LARGE number of postmarked stamps - in bags! I am at a loss as to what to do with them. It seems no one in the family is interested in collecting.
It seems that I am the family "disbursement" person and have disbursed 4+ (mother's etc) estates over the past number of years. I had a booth at a shop a few years ago (no longer a booth vintage/antique place ANYwhere nearby) - so that leaves me ebay or finding a family member that wants it. I really think that anyone in the family is dead ended... that's why it is in my lap again. And I know of "no one" who is philatelist in the area...
So that leaves sales. As I mentioned - the albums are incomplete... but there are lots of pages with plate blocks and quite a few full page blocks. They seem to be in pretty good condition. And then there are the bags of cancelled stamps - from all over the world ... some as early as 1900. They have parts of envelopes still stuck to the back. Sigh!
I really don't want to spend hours dealing with all this; but I don't want to miss something important either. Are there any simple guidelines for which I can glean if anything has any significant value? Can anyone suggest what is worth my time and effort to do/research; and what is not?
I'm at a bit of a loss... stumped as it were. I understand research with general household items; even pretty good at figuring out jewelry value... but stamps and coins? I know there are so many subtle things to look for; I feel inadequate! Can anyone start me in the right direction?
Thanks in advance,
Sincerely, Mae
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zipper
Member 
Posts: 2,649
What I collect: Classic GB, QV, France Ceres/Napoleon, Classic U.S., Cinderella & Poster Stamps
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Post by zipper on Oct 29, 2022 16:00:19 GMT
Hi. Try looking on eBay to see what similar stuff sells for.
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485 
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Post by Jerry B on Oct 29, 2022 16:13:09 GMT
Hi mae Why not start collecting yourself:  You made the first start by coming to this Forum. The collectors here are all very friendly and willing to help. They range from very basic (some just starting to collect) to very advanced and collect all geographic areas, subjects, etc.. Besides, it will give you something to do in those cold snowy Midwest winters. Jerry B |
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mae
**Member**
Posts: 5
What I collect: Textiles, jewelry, Empire furniture, things Cornish and things Turkish, unusual stones...
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Post by mae on Oct 29, 2022 16:36:34 GMT
Hi mae Why not start collecting yourself: You made the first start by coming to this Forum. The collectors here are all very friendly and willing to help. They range from very basic (some just starting to collect) to very advanced and collect all geographic areas, subjects, etc.. Besides, it will give you something to do in those cold snowy Midwest winters. Jerry B Hi Jerry, I really wish I could; I honestly do not have the time. I have many other irons in the fire which are much more personal to me and my family than these stamps. I just don't want to create a big error by not caring what might be of value and "giving" it away. I've done personal property appraisals for years (and have my own area of expertises - which unfortunately doesn't include stamps or coins)... so I know just enough to know that I do NOT know enough! LOL! I'm glad that so many are friendly and willing to help.... and indeed, why i'm here. Sincerely, Mae |
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mae
**Member**
Posts: 5
What I collect: Textiles, jewelry, Empire furniture, things Cornish and things Turkish, unusual stones...
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Post by mae on Oct 29, 2022 16:38:55 GMT
Hi. Try looking on eBay to see what similar stuff sells for. Hi Zipper, LOL... always the first place to start... and I did... but; of course, it is a bit like comparing apples to oranges... unless you know what you are looking for... and, sadly, I don't! I do appreciate your suggestion... keep em coming! Sincerely, Mae |
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,906
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Oct 29, 2022 16:43:56 GMT
Welcome mae to TSF! my suggestion (if the goal is to liquidate the accumulations of stamps) As you mentioned 50-60 old, any Scott catalogue after 1970 will probably be useful enough. These should be very inexpensive. Also, try your local li9brary as they may have one to check out. This will be helpful to get a general idea of the stamp and then as zipper mentioned, search e-Bay for some approximate values. (a good light and a magnifying glass are very useful, as are stamp tongs (tweezers) The albums values will be largely dependent on what they contain , whether new/unused or canceled (and if new how they are mounted (attached to the pages). The albums themselves really don't have much value to most. As you will find trying to see what you actually have, it takes time and a 'catalogued" collection will have more value than 'here's a bunch of stamps" The bags of stamps, if off paper, they have a little more value and you could count out 500 or a 1000 and offer as lots. Stamps on paper are also offered, and if they were carefully cut from envelopes with the full postmark, they may have more value than those just cut around the stamp(s), and if the trimming got a little too close, unless the stamp is one of value, then it would next to no value. Without putting some time into this, take a breath, close you eyes and offer for a lump sum (plus postage...which can be substantial) Whatever you decide- welcome! Cheers Stan Northern California |
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Post by iswscwebmaster on Oct 29, 2022 19:37:34 GMT
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,887
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
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Post by hdm1950 on Oct 29, 2022 21:02:55 GMT
Hi mae, It sounds like you have a bulky accumulation. In the perfect world one would hope to find an avid collector that could have a quick look. Having bought and looked at many estate collections it is surprising how quickly one can come up with a valuation. The vast majority I have seen over the years are novice collections with no great value. If there is not a local friend with knowledge the other option is to find a local dealer or stamp auction house. It appears from your comments you are aware of the problem of using eBay when you do not have a basic understanding of the hobby. Asking prices on eBay mean nothing. Actual sold items tells a truer indication of value. I wish I was closer because I enjoy looking at collections you are describing. I buy very few of what I look at but at least I can steer people in the right direction. Good luck with your project. |
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mae
**Member**
Posts: 5
What I collect: Textiles, jewelry, Empire furniture, things Cornish and things Turkish, unusual stones...
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Post by mae on Oct 29, 2022 22:51:18 GMT
Hi Stainlessb, Thanks! It's going to take me a bit to chew on all that advice! I'm not quite ready to make the plunge as to how to proceed... but I do appreciate everyone's suggestions. Mae |
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mae
**Member**
Posts: 5
What I collect: Textiles, jewelry, Empire furniture, things Cornish and things Turkish, unusual stones...
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Post by mae on Oct 29, 2022 22:55:51 GMT
Hi mae , It sounds like you have a bulky accumulation. In the perfect world one would hope to find an avid collector that could have a quick look. Having bought and looked at many estate collections it is surprising how quickly one can come up with a valuation. The vast majority I have seen over the years are novice collections with no great value. If there is not a local friend with knowledge the other option is to find a local dealer or stamp auction house. It appears from your comments you are aware of the problem of using eBay when you do not have a basic understanding of the hobby. Asking prices on eBay mean nothing. Actual sold items tells a truer indication of value. I wish I was closer because I enjoy looking at collections you are describing. I buy very few of what I look at but at least I can steer people in the right direction. Good luck with your project. Hi HDM1950... gosh I wish you were closer also. I may have to stretch to find a local dealer. Yes, I've sold on ebay for 23 years now... and it is a good "tool"; but to make an educated guess to value usually takes more than one tool! Hmmm...Toronto... Thanks for your support, Mae |
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drblade
Member
Posts: 848
What I collect: GB Unmounted mint & Machin definitives Q.E.II Used commemoratives
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Post by drblade on Oct 30, 2022 9:21:44 GMT
Welcome to the forum.  |
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cjoprey
Member
Scanning stamps for my website...
Posts: 1,504
What I collect: Belgium (predominantly), British Commonwealth (older ones), WW (whatever comes my way...)
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Post by cjoprey on Oct 30, 2022 21:52:14 GMT
Welcome from the UK mae - I wish you good luck with the disbursement. And feel free to ask any questions, as we're a friendly lot! |
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hrdoktorx
Member
Posts: 7,215
What I collect: France (and French territories), Africa, Canada, USA, Germany, Guatemala, stamps about science, flags, maps, stamps on stamps...
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Post by hrdoktorx on Nov 2, 2022 22:29:33 GMT
 to TSF! This is a common plight you find yourself in. Feel free to show us a few photos so we see the extent of the collection you are dealing with...
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,699
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Nov 3, 2022 17:41:27 GMT
Welcome!
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Nov 3, 2022 20:37:29 GMT
mae , If you're in the Midwest, there is a possibility that you can find an APS stamp club in your area or within a reasonable distance. If so, consider contacting the club to see if any of their members are willing to look at a sampling of your collection and give you an estimate of value. Be mindful that old does not generally mean valuable and be prepared for disappointment. You can look for clubs in your area here.
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Post by uppercanadian on Nov 10, 2022 3:45:57 GMT
Welcome to the Forum, Mae!!
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to TSF! This is a common plight you find yourself in. Feel free to show us a few photos so we see the extent of the collection you are dealing with...
