How much is my stamp collection worth – straight talk about real market values of stamps
During the weekend I bumped into a couple of very interesting conversations (and articles) about stamp market values and collection estimates. I know most collectors are interested about stamp values at some level, me included. So what’s latest story with a very simple question: how much is a stamp collection worth? Below are few very different views on the topic.
If you just want do to a quick (and very rough) estimate/calculation of the value of Your collection, please visit Setting a value for worldwide stamp collection.
About stamps as investment
Everybody dreams that they have a stamp collection worth big bucks. Here’s the painful truth: About 99,9% of all issued stamps are worth nothing else than they’re handling costs. Even my collection (which is about 50,000 philatelic items) is worth very little if looked as an investment.
USA Alexandria postmaster stamp, "Blue Boy cover". Sold by Feldman auction for 1 million US$.
But still, with every philatelic magazine and auction, we can read of auction results where stamps and collections are sold with selling price equivalent to a new computer, car or even apartment. This is IMO where stamp collecting has turned from hobby to investment – no casual stamp collector has or is willing to spend thousands, possibly tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars/euros just to get few stamps or single item. These stamps are bought and sold only with investment in mind.
The first interesting comment is by Geoff Anandappa, Stanley Gibbons’ investment portfolio manager. He was interviewed by Rick Morrison, Financial Post (actual story was published in StarPhoenix):
Collectors are driven by passion, whereas investors are driven by fear and greed. All these factors make stamps a very stable investment.
This is very true in a way, but also a kind of devil in disguise if thought more precisely.
If investing stamps seriously, then one doesn’t buy the common stamps, or not even the slightly better ones (worth few hundreds like Black Penny, Finnish roulettes etc early stamps). If investing, then one does acquire items worth 4-6 figures at least. This is what stamp investing programmes provide with their investment portfolio: a chance to own a small monetary share on valuable collectors/antiques items.
And here’s the contradiction. Stamp collectors want to personally own items – touch them, feel them, have them physically in their collections. Investment programs don’t provide this option… So these stamp investment programs are by investors and for investors – driven by greed of money and future expectations. My advice would be: do not touch stamps as investment if you don’t want to get burned. Afinsa scandal was just the tip of the iceberg.
About stamps as business
Another opinion for real stamp market values comes from Glen Stephens, one of the best known stamp dealers worldwide. He said recently on StampBoards discussion forum topic:
So, several times a week I end up with near worthless junk, and you need to break the news to the owner of it.
…
[Common worldwide stamps collections]…on its own is virtually unsaleable via a mail order dealership, as it is exceedingly common. And in 50 years time will still be exceedingly common – so there is little point in you holding onto it, as it takes up room and space, and attracts pests.Stamp DEALING is a business. Stamp COLLECTING is a hobby.
Huge difference. Collectors think nothing of spending a few hours fossicking and sorting and arranging. For them it is pleasure, fun and enjoyment. For me it is WORK!
Something stamp dealers dislike seeing in stamp collection: common stamps. 1973 Equatorial Guinea ships miniature sheet, Michel #Bl.54
As a small business owner (working inside ITC & marketing industry), I can relate to this. A business owner must keep the money rolling and make profit for each deal. And the most valuable asset a business owner has is time.
One of my early mentors in stamp collecting once said, that if you where ever to sell your worldwide collections, most of the stuff would end up in dealer’s junk box for 5 cents/piece. And that 5cent selling price would need to include all sellers’ expenses like storage, handling, time etc. My share of the deal would be 1-2c/piece or less.
Of course not all stamps are equally invaluable, and the larger the collection the more likely it is to contain something of more value. Thus I have developed a “universal formula to estimate a value of worldwide stamp collection: for each 10 000 different (worldwide) stamps in collection, add value by 1 cent per stamp. For example my 50k different worldwide items collection is worth 1 500€/$ using this formula (10000×1+10000×2c+10000×3c+10000×4c+10000×5c). The below cheat table shows how values would develop if using this formula:
A simple cheatsheet that can be helpful when trying to set a value for large scale worldwide collection.
So how to make most money when selling a stamp collection to a dealer? If personal time is not the not be counted, then the best practice would be breaking down a collection to bits and pieces: separate the gems from the junk. Sell the gems to dealer as single pieces and place the rest on sale as single lot on eBay or other online auction for no reserve.
About stamps as collector’s items
Stamp catalogues (like Michel)are a usefull tool for collectors, but I would not trust the catalogue values too much.
My personal take on real market values of stamps is complex. And what else could you expect from someone who has collected stamps as a hobby for over two decades.
Like most collectors, I have started by being obsessed with catalogue values. Then I have grown to realize harsh truth – catalogue values are a relative metric. Two stamps with similar catalogue value will do for 1:1 kind of trade/exchange between collectors, but very few (if none) collectors are willing to pay even one third of the catalogue price for common stamps.
Getting familiar with dealers has thought me a lot about business side of stamps (like how dealers appraise, buy and sell collections). If nothing else, it has taught that I would make a crappy stamps dealer. Just to get few new (low value) stamps for my collection I’m ready and willing to go through a messy box hoard for hours.
I simply love these small pieces of paper too much to care about time spent, profits or market values. For a collector like me, a single stamp is worth precisely how much one is willing to pay or consume other resources in order to get it. It’s that simple.
Started collcting stamps when I was a young lad,got a few albams with various themes, GB, LATE AND EARLY, BRITISH EMPIRE, THE SAME AS;-OTHER STUFF FROM OTHER COUNTRIES;-LOOSE STUFF IN A TIN BOX AND BITS AND PIECES. GRAND KIDS ARE NOT INTERSTED,TO BORING! NOW I DO PHOTOGRAPHY,EXPENSIVE! COULD DO WITH A REPLACMENT LENS, ITS KNACKED,SEEN A MINTER, SECONDHAND,OF COURSE,WHICH WILL FILL THE BILL;-NOT A CLUE AS HOW TO SELL THE STAMPS,CAN YOU HELP?
ITS ALL RELIGON TO ME? NOT A CLUE,VICAR GAVE UP ON ME SOME YEARS AGO!
Hi Bernard,
“NOT A CLUE AS HOW TO SELL THE STAMPS,CAN YOU HELP?”
The simplest option is to drop in at your local stamp dealer, show the collection and “let it go”. This way you will very likely get less money than with the alternatives (as the dealer has to make profit too), but it could not be any simpler.
The other dealer related alternative is to offer the collection/lot for auction or private sale. This way you’ll usually get (at least a bit) more than with a direct sale, but you wont get your money before the auction/sale is over.
The alternative route is to sell everything by yourself. This way you will end up with (lot) more money, but it will require you to spend some resources (especially time) as well… As how to sell… You could sell stuff online (like eBay,delcampe etc), or put a add an paper/magazine, or pick up a sales table at local market, or… It’s all up to imagination. The better you sell/market your lot, the more you get.
Hope these hints do help,
regards,
-keijo-
Hi Keijo,
For the past few I have been doing a lot of research on the topic. I have a huge collection that I have inherited from my father. The stamps are from India and also worldwide. I know that my father always used Stanley Gibbons. However, I gather from your post that this is generally used for GB & colonies. What do you suggest I do. I gather that the Scotts catalogue needs to be bought volume wise or is there any way that I can get the complete thing for a good amount.
Regards
Amit
Hi Amit,
The answer to your question about catalogues really depends on where you live, what you collect and what are youre future plans… And of course personal preferences do affect….
As your father used SG, it might be a good idea to carry on with that. Stanley Gibbons single country catalogues are highly recommendable and amongst the best of the breed (IMHO their quality is much better than Scott, sometimes – especially with GB and commonwealth countries – it even excels the otherwise superb Michel catalogues… but these are just my opinions).
PS. Your first post at thestampserver.com is very good. You’re definitely on the right track
Hi Keijo,
Thanks for your reply.
What I am interested in knowing is how to reference the stamps with the price listed in the catalogue. Is that the price that one expects in the market when one wants to sell or is this price only for reference. If I have one stamp that is listed in SG at GBP 250/- what does this mean ?
Hi Amit,
it’s mainly a reference, something that helps to compare stamp values between each other. Catalogue value and selling price have usually very little in common.
For low value stamps (say anything catalogued below 5€/$/£) catalogue value and selling price come from everything else but the stamp itself. This means things like dealers time, storage etc. Their true retail value is tenths of pennies. I think it says a lot that I just bought 1kg of off-paper stamps for 20€ (+postage 9€). Roughly speaking the box has anything between 10-100,000 stamp; even in the worst case it cost me tenths of a cent per stamp.
For better stamps (anything catalogued over 25€/$/£) catalogue prices give a somewhat accurate picture of dealers selling price. On the low end there are usually discounts (from 10-50%), on the mid range catalogue values are somewhat 1:1 for selling prices, and on the very high end catalogue values are usually notably lower than selling prices.
And above all, it’s always about condition, demand and the moment. Catalogue values are for copies in fine to very fine condition. Anything worse will sell notably lower than the catalogue value, anything superior will fetch notably higher prices. And above all, real life prices are a question of demand and supply… Is your item worth the 250 quit? If all the circumstances match. But it’s equally possible that something is/goes wrong with the markets and you end up with very little.
Hi Keijo,
Great thoughs on what a worldwide collection is worth. I’ve wondered a lot about this too. There is currently an ad in Linn’s advertising a 100,000 different collection in 37 scott international albums for $9,995. I don’t have 10K for a collection like that, but it would sure improve my stamp count a tad!
Hi Pete,
and thanks…
That kind of collection sounds like a stamp collectors “wet daydream”. LOL. .I think one could self-finance most of such purchase by selling unnecessary stamps (and albums) etc, but it would definitely require lots of time (and free money of course)… But 10K is 10K… Well, hopefully something like that is available in 18 years of time after I’ve dealt with my bank / apartment loan. LOL.
Hello, if you could please help, if know of a reputeable stamp appraiser in Montreal Canada, that would help. Thank-you..
Hi,
as I have no first hand experience of Montreal dealers, I’m going to recommend you to contact collectors at RPSC and ask their recommendations.
Have 2 albums of stamps collected over the last 60 years 1920 till 1980.
any idea the value ?
Mel
Hi Mel,
with these details it’s pretty impossible to say. For example album size may vary hugely (from few pages up to hundreds of pages); the number and quality of stamps may vary etc… But as a very rough estimate I’d say that 30-50$ should be in the ballpark if there is nothing of better value/interest stamps involved.
Sir:
I have a collection of stamps that my father purchased for me at about the age of 10. I’m 34 years old now. I still have them in the exact same packaging. I’m assuming since he paid for them at some kind of “stamp show” they’re probably not worth much. But that was 24 years ago. I have a set of stamps from Spain from about 1969 to 1973, a set of 1983 “monkeys and apes” from Rwanda, a set of “French Empire” stamps (Congo, Niger, Chad, Daho, Dahomey, etc) from about 1968 to 1970, and a package that says “British Empire” with a variety of locations inside (Iraq, New Zealand, Jamaica, Zanzibar, Uganda, Hong Kong, as well as countries I’ve never heard of.)
I don’t really have an interest in keeping them. They’ve just been stored away for many years. Is it safe to assume they’re worth nothing more than the price paid for stamp originally?
Thank you for your assistance.
Keijo
some time back one of your correspondents asked about a stamp dealer in Montreal. I had a good experience with les Timbres Riesz Stamps, reiszstamps@videotron.ca
fyi
Dell from California
Thanks Dell,
I think many will value your tip.
Here’s something I’ve been wondering about that maybe you or other readers have an opinion on:
It seems to me (both from a common sense standpoint, as well as things I’ve read in the past) that *collections* are inherently worth more than *accumulations*. So for instance, in a huge worldwide accumulation, a subset of particular items – for instance a topical collection – would seem like it would have more monetary value if it were organized, researched, and displayed in a custom album, such as for exhibition.
Does that seem more or less an accurate assessment?
Does that seem more or less an accurate assessment?
Sorry to say, but that is pretty false assessment IMHO.
As sad as it is, most collections and accumulations are doomed to split-up the minute they are sold. Gems end up usually as single lots to auctions, medium quality items end up to dealer stockbooks, and all the cheap stuff goes to box sales (often with complete pages, despite all the time and devotion put to them).
Same destiny awaits every collection or accumulation. Stamp dealers are not museum keepers. Their job is to sell stamps – with profit and ASAP.
So it’s the included stamps that matter – not the fact that they are part of collection or accumulation. As collections usually have more high value items than accumulations, they usually fetch higher value. But a properly build accumulation could easily achieve same or even more.
Another thing that may matter is presentation. A messy output is worth a discount; whereas same stuff with proper display (and preferrably with gems highlighted) is bound to get some sort of premium. The difference comes not from visual aesthetics, but from the fact that dealer can spot more easily items worth $$$.
please could let me know how much a stamp album of lady diana and prince charles wedding in a velvet case limited edition of 3000 albums beham silk collection
Hi Alan,
this will be a purely educated guess (as I’m not a dealer nor UK specialist)… I’d say not much, possibly £10-20 or similar…. The best indicator of real markets price would be if You’d find something similar sold on recent online auctions (like eBay,Delcampe or similar). Or then take a visit to Your local stamp shop with the album, and ask how much it’s worth.
Amy,
You need to have an honest buyer or someone who is knowledgeable look at your stamps. There a very few stamps, for example, Chinese New Year Stamps from China, that have appreciated a great deal during the period you have had those stamps.
There is probably nothing of any value, but you never know.
Fred
I have been saving stamps now for the last 18 years.They were for my grandson but he is not interested in them, so I started to look for rare and most wanted stamps.I found quit a lot of them, but nobody seems to be interested in them .I sent a email to “we buy any stamps” kind of website, but I was told that they have got plenty of what I have. So how is it that the stamps I have found are not of any value, yet they are rare and most wanted. Can any one help or advise me please.
Hi John,
shortly put it all depends on markets…
Stamps that are rare (printed in limited quantities or similar) can be of very low value if there’s no demand for them. For example in UK most collectors collect either UK or British Commonwealth countries, but very few are interested in countries like Ruanda or Venezuela.
The most wanted part can be equally skewed… What was “burning hot” 10-20-30-40 years ago, might be considered junk today. And vice versa (thinking of stamps from countries like People’s Republic of China & India).
Re, dealers that say “we buy everything”… Sadly a lot of dealers misuse this phrase in their advertising just to catch up as many “innocent newbies” as possible. In reality many of them are only after “quality material” (=catalog value 3-4 figures minimum) that could be purchased for a bargain. If the provided lot doesn’t contain anything as such, they simply turn it down for some excuse… A lot of smaller stamp dealers are decent folks that buy pretty much anything dropped on their door step, so I’d definitely shop around a bit…If you want to do “something good” with the stamps, then You might want to consider donating them to some charity close to You. That way the stamps will end up to some lucky collector eventually, and the funds will go to good cause.
best wishes,
-keijo-
value my stamp collection
@Adam… No. I’m not a dealer/auctioneer, so I don’t do any kind of appraisals. You can always show some images and ask for opinion, but that’s what it will always be… My biased opinion as a regular stamp collector.
Jesus Christ!!…what else can you do?…one of this days someone will ask you to take the stamps personally to his home!!! stamps are for the brain…not for the bank!
I have 2 rare stamps. One; Atom bombs end WWII; and one Olympic baseball misprint. I wish to find out how I can get an appraisal. Thay are over 15 years old and cost me
Hi Kerry,
Shortly put:
Step 1. Locate local / international stamp dealers and auctioneers / auction houses
Use google, phone book etc. other sources.
Step 2. Go and visit them
If they have opening hours, then going there & physically showing the stamps is the fastest way forward.
If not, then call up and email, and ask for advice on how to proceed.
That’s all there is.
This is reason (few line in this article like: “…if you where ever to sell your worldwide collections, most of the stuff would end up in dealer’s junk box for 5 cents/piece…), when someone asked me, where to invest/what to buy for my collection. I always try to explain people, that even one cent spent on Your collection is investment – and if to do it, do it in more clever way – NOT TO BUY “junk” material first!
Most people have money available on monthly base, say, 10$ every months, by my opinion – it is better to pass few months and obtain set for 50$ – that will possibly in the future, have same or bigger value.
But if You spend this 50$ in 500 or more “space filler” stamp, or “junk” (like You say) stamp – that will never return this 50$ investment.
I always suggest, and personally prefer, to complete one country collection, that can at the time to come, more attract other collectors/dealers to buy it.
best regards to all
Milco
http://picasaweb.google.com/balkanstamp
@Milco…
I definitely agree with You about “DON’T COLLECT JUNK” statement. And with junk I specifically mean stamps that are of poor condition / grade. It will not affect just to (potential resale) value of collection, but also to how much enjoyment You will get from your collection.
From investment perspective I’d say that the biggest challenge for anyone would be to predict / keep up with the collecting trends regarding condition / grade, and paying a proper price for stamps. For example I’m pretty sure that nobody in the 1940/50s imagined a situation where mint never hinged would become the “collectible” standard, and mint hinged the pariah. And history of stamp collecting / philately is full of trend changes like this.
I’ve always preached “don’t mix stamp collecting and investing” with each other. And I mean it…
If you want to collect, then don’t worry too much about catalog values. They will change each year (after all, that’s what keep the catalog publishers fat & rich
). I’m in this group. In my case it will be totally up for my family & kids to decide what to do with my collections when I’m dead. If they get more than what I paid, jolly good. If they get less, well… Live with it. I loved my collection and it was worth every cent I paid; that’s enough for me 
If you want to invest, then I’d say don’t sit on top of your stamps / collection. Buy cheap, sell high. It’s all about timing, and keeping up with trends. For example in northern Europe the market for SOTN stamps was burning hot about 5-10 years ago, and even modern and common stamps with SOTN cancels easily fetched 5-20€ in auctions. These days they are worth a fraction of that, and in most cases they don’t sell at all. I know a lot of collectors who got burnt badly with this.
hey
I have stamps almost all countries nd they are around 270 stamps i am having with me. but the problem is i dont know about the sites where i can sell them or auction them.
And please tell me that should i get enough money for that or not?
@chiraq… Nearly all online auctions (eBay,Tradera, DelCampe etc) have separate sections for stamps and collectibles. As each service has different terms-of-service (and fees), I can only recommend that you take a cup of coffee/tea next to you, and do some reading before making your pick. The rest is purely following the instructions and finding a proper market / pricing for your items.
I’ve always taken the view that collection values are about 25 – 30% of the catelogue value, and physical condition has to be considered as well.
I tend to apply that rule to any eBay purchases I make and stop bidding when it goes over.
Presentation and format can enhance the value of a stamp or collection.
Bill
Please explain what IMHO means
Thanks John
IMHO = In my humble opinion .
It’s somewhat common acronym in online world; similar to BTW,WTF,ROFL,LOL and dozens of others.
i have a stamp collection of north korea from 1966 thur 2006 and was wondering whre i can find out how much it is worth.
thank you
@lord jakk… I’d say that in case of North Korean stamps your guess would be about as good as mine. This is one of those countries where looking at catalog values is close to utterly useless in my opinion.
If the stamps are either mint, then they are likely of best value as they attract a wide range of topical collectors.
If the stamps are real used, then eccentric worldwide collectors (like me) might like them quite a lot, and if sold they might fetch a decent price (compared to CTO-used prices). But they are not going to make you rich…
If the stamps are CTO-used, then the value of stamps is pretty close to value of junk paper.
And of course this is all subjective, and fully dependent on quality of items, extend of collection, your location etc.
I’ve always wondered why someone would want to purchase a complete collection given the fact that the whole point of collecting is already accomplished! Where is the fun in that?
Okay, perhaps they see it as an investment, but why not invest in Gold instead.
Huh?
@Bill… I agree. There’s no catch in buying it all done and prepared. It’s much more fun to build it step by step.
Interesting read.. I collected in my youth 50 years ago and my past collecting has limited value if any. A few years ago I decided to start again due to the economy and many collections are being sold off.Here’s my thoughts, today I focus on old collections dating before the 1920’s. I bought one 1898 world collection with a French mint stamp valued at $800.. my thought is with these large collections there are far too many stamps for a dealer to evaluate everything..more of a chance of a sleeper… In 10 years when I’m ready to sell I see if it works
Dear Keijo, I am fascinated by all the questions and answers. I have a US and foreign collection that would choke a horse. Thirty five volumes, from A to Z, loaded. I do agree that a large amount of this collection is “junk”. But, I always felt that maybe one of these stamps is my winning lottery ticket. My attitude is “it just takes one”. How in Gods name will I ever find out. Most of these buyers are would never let me know which stamp is the diamond in the rough. what should I do. thank you, R. Calla
@Ralph… Just go through it all; properly and one stamp at a time. And have fun while at it
Seriously, there is no magic trick for finding gems.
I’ve been going through my U.S. collection over the past week, transferring the stamps to my new pages. I realized that a suprising number of the stamps are damaged “space filler” stamps. As used stamps, most, if not all, of these would be low value in perfect condition. I’ve kept these as I would rather have an example of what a stamp looks like than nothing. I enjoy looking at them.
I know many (or most) collectors may disagree but what I realized is that, to me, damaged means unsellable not uncollectible. I would not buy damaged stamps – there are too many inexpensive undamaged stamps out there to buy – but to collect them is OK by me.
When I get a better example, I can and do replace the damaged stamp to enhance the appearance of my collection. The “junk” may lower the value of my collection, but I honestly don’t intend to ever sell the collection so valuing the collection is merely an intellectual exercise.
As always, just another point of view. I reserve the right to change my mind if it suits me.
@mrprgrmr… It’s definitely relaxing to know that I’m not the only collector who finds out a surprisingly large number of ’space fillers’ when viewing their albums more critically
Keijo, seems to me you are too hard on space fillers. If you look at ebay listings and which sell and for what price, it seems to me that what ebay does is make common stamps expensive and high priced items reasonable (with the exception of China covers pre 1970, which now sell well above a dealers price in the UK or in Shanghai.) As a collector I am willing to pay 99p for a stamp catalogued at 25p and sold at a stamp fair for 15p if it fills the space. We all know that some common stamps in many sets are hard to find or hard to find mint or hard to find used but valued by SG and Scott as though they were like every other member of the set. So the advice has to be sell on ebay in the smallest quantity you have the patience to list. You can probably get between 25c and 50c for a collection of 50,000 stamps if you package it properly if they are pre 1980 stamps. i.e you can clear about one third at US$1/pound/euro and one third at 50c and one third bundled together at about 13c each.7-8 for US$1.(This would actually work out at over US$26,000. but I would bet on the low side. Post 1980 stamps you will have problems even giving most of them away. I have more views on this which I will happily share after you respond as it looks like I am out of space.
The key message is actually buy in bulk and sell in the smallest quantity the collector would buy in. And churn the collection – I have a number of friends who buy album or box lots in UK auctions take what they like, throw in some left overs from old accumulations and sell again usually for the same price
Anyway good debate Tony
@Tony Michell… I agree that stamp collecting is one of those few hobbies where it’s possible to re-finance the hobby by selling “leftovers”. I’ve done it, likely You’ve done it, as well as many people reading this blog… It does pay off, but it’s definitely not a gold mine (unless you happen to have some truly exceptional stuff)…. I remember reading somewhere a calculation that most people selling individual stamps on eBay for $0.15-0.25 likely make out less in hour than they’d make serving burgers on McDonalds
Another spot on observation…Of course the risks on eBay are slightly higher than buying from traditional dealers/auctions (thinking for example classic US).
I don’t know about you but I would have more fun selling my stamps than flipping burgers, so breaking even (dollar-wise) is just fine!
Anyway, thanks for the info about buying and selling. I really appreciate all that sort of advice!
Tony, can you explain further what this part of your post means:
“You can probably get between 25c and 50c for a collection of 50,000 stamps if you package it properly if they are pre 1980 stamps. i.e you can clear about one third at US$1/pound/euro and one third at 50c and one third bundled together at about 13c each.7-8 for US$1.(This would actually work out at over US$26,000. but I would bet on the low side.”
Blimey!!! I think it’s time to put the stall on the street: …stamps, stamps, here, here! …one for the price of 3…and go laughing all the way to the bank!..Oh, yes…don’t forget Inland revenue will be behind you!!!
How much is your collection worth? Whatever some one will pay for it. Two pigs, one buyer, pigs is cheap; one pig, two buyers, pigs is dear. Regarding Tony Mitchell’s comment about post 1980s I would maybe even say post 1970s. I collect Canada and had a ‘new issues’ service, bought in the U.K. with GB£. I would expect those stamps to be worth about 80% ‘face’ if I could find a user of Canadian Postage, e.g. a cousin with a business. This would still be, at best about 25 to 50% of what I paid, not allowing for inflation. BUT, and this is an important BUT, they were not bought for investment. Thet were bought to be looked at, shown of to friends and fellow stamp collectors at club meetings and just admired.
I hope you can help give me some advice.
I collected stamps as a child and have been a casual collector of mint US postal stamps over the years. I recently inherited my great grandfather’s stamp collection. This is a small dealer collection (maybe 10-12 storage tubs – 30 quart size) with boxes of glassine envelopes containing multiples of the same stamp, stock books, collections of first day covers, etc. The stamps are international, with a concentration on the US and Israel, and range in date from the late 19th century through the early-mid 20th century.
It hasn’t been indexed nor cataloged since the 1950’s and I don’t have the time at the moment to start that huge undertaking. On the other hand, I would like to protect it through insurance but without a full inventory I need to provide my insurance company with a certified appraisal.
How do I go about doing that? Everything I have read in the past suggests that I bring the full collection to an independent appraiser, who may take months to appraise it. I don’t feel comfortable letting any of this out of my hands.
Is my only real option to uncatalogued and index the entire collection before I can get it appraised?
Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks!
@Spencer…
Most dealers I know simply take a quick look on bulk lots like this, and give out a quick sum based bulk/size of the lot. If you want something else, then you have to either put up some serious $$$ on the table for their time & effort to go through the lot in more detail. From the sounds of hoarde, it’s likely not worth it.
I’d suggest that you try to go through the lot yourself for starters. If You notice lots of items with catalog values higher than $5, then you might have something worth appraising.
“I recently inherited my great grandfather’s stamp collection. This is a small dealer collection (maybe 10-12 storage tubs – 30 quart size)…”
It’s like a beautiful daydream to me
I have 25 albums of stamps my grandfather collected after the second world war. Prince charles and di. All types of stamps. I would like to find out how can i find out how much they are worth. I am in south africa.
@Pierre… For starters, I suggest you spent some time reading some of the answers above, or head to Ask Anything About Stamps – archives (there are lots of similar “I inherited a collection, how to find out it’s value” questions/answers) . These have lots of good and solid advice for you to follow.
I also took the liberty of editing your message a bit. It’s good practise to use sentence case instead of WRITING EVERYTHING WITH CAPITALS.
Hi Sir
I have a stamp collection of various countries dating back I think 50-60 years, maybe even more. The thing is how do I value it here in Singapore?
Regards
@Randy… If we lived in world 20-30 years ago, the location would have had much difference when valuing a collection. But these days it’s very little of importance as everything you need is just one mouse click away. The whole world is one huge marketplace.
If you want to find out the value yourself, get yourself some stamp catalogs. You can easily buy them from catalog publishers (each have online shops) or used copies from online auctions; or you can even subscribe to some online catalogs.
If you want to reach out dealers and professional appraisers to do it for You, then Google Places is Your friend. Simply write something like “Stamp dealer Singapore”, and you are offered with a map of local dealers with full contact details. Could not be any easier.
I love your blog and your (and other readers) obvious passion for stamp collecting. Thanks so much for all the valuable and interesting information posted here. I don’t know anything about stamps by have been fascinated by the conversations. Like many others I have inherited a stamp collection from my Father and his Father (which I’m now realising is very small and probably very worthless) and found you by googling “how much is my stamp collection worth”. Just wanted to say thanks so much as I feel quite well informed now about what the next steps are if I want to sell or give away the collection.
@Nadia… Thanks for the kind words
I have collected British stamps since 1978 by subscribing to new issues from Royal Mail. My subscription includes stamps, gutter pairs, covers, year books, presentations packs etc. I can’t be sure the collection is complete, but believe it is largely complete for 33 years. I would like to sell them. Can you tell me how to sell them and what kind of value I can expect to get for them?
I also have a small number of older, more expensive British stamps purchased around 1978.
I also have a lot of Rhodesian, South West Africa and South Africa first day covers etc.
Any help you can give me would be appreciated.
Thank you.
@Lyn…
I can give out only the same piece of advice as I’ve been giving for everyone else asking similar question.
If you want to make it easy, locate 1-3 local stamp dealers and show them (=(take items with you, or take lots and lots of photos) what you have. They will make You an valid offer very quickly (10-15 minutes usually).
The other route is LOTS of hard work, but will likely result more money. Take quality pictures of items you have, and place them for sale at online auctions like eBay, DelCampe etc.
As for what to get… It really depends on items you have, markets and demand (which is another reason I suggest you visit a local stamp dealer).
Keijo
I, like other stamp lovers, discovered your excellent blog and this post with the “how much and how do I sell it?” question bouncing over my google searches like the ball prompt on a karaoke machine. You have provided the forthright choice between path of least resistance and heavy spade work.
My question is how to separate the sh*t from the shinola in grandpa’s collection (I’m guessing start with the mint corner blocks, the oldest and in best condition, and call it quits when my eyes start bleeding). So would you offer an opinion – Ebay or DelCampe?
On a personal note, stamps provided me with the spark of creativity that led to a career in Graphic Design and a love of art. – just like it said it would in the Soliloquy in my old Ambassador stamp album. Thanks.
@KipArt…
Stamp by stamp, item by item. Seriously. Just last weekend I was sorting through a cheap bulk mixture of Portugal I had bought earlier, and came up with two stamps catalogued at 50+€ each and tens of other items in 5-20€ catalog value range. All modern, all very ordinary looking. I would have never guessed they had such high catalog value. And likely the seller assumed the same, as I made a pretty good deal (though 50% of the lot was damaged goods that I binned straight away).
Both are fine.
I know some collectors are against (fe)eBay because of various fees & policies they have. But these exist for very valid reasons IMHO. If you can’t handle the fees, then simply don’t sell online (or at least on eBay). Period.
Am I one of the few remaining, who always remembered doing stamp collecting simply for the fun of it? (And the history lessons from my parents on what some stamps meant?)… i learned more about British history than I can remember because my Grandma put me in a “FDC-mailing list” that would send me 1 or 2 GB F.D.C’s a month when I was a kid.
I know, some people do it for an investment, but I guess that “how much is my collection worth” or “Is this stamp worth the money” always bugged me as a question for some reason.
I guess that’s why I’ll always be considered a low-end collector with the occasional … “topaz in the rough” stamp (cause I never really expect to find any diamonds)… i guess i’d be called a “Hoarder”, cause I’d LOVE to have the “problem” Mr.Prgmer (#53) has…)
Nope… I think I’m on the same boat as You, as I honestly don’t care how much my stamp are worth in the catalog (or on resale / markets). And I think a lot of “long term” collectors are with us on the same ride.
I’m not thinking of departing (or selling) my beloved collection till the day I die. So why should I care how much it’s worth? My will and insurance papers have a certain figure because they have to, but other than that I’m not thinking or obsessing about it. More of my energy goes into thinking ‘damn those stockbooks are expensive’ or ‘wish I had $xxx extra so I could buy that collection’
I have 80,000+ worldwide stamps in my collection, and I consider them all worth the same. True, some I cherish more but it’s not based on their catalog value. The 50€ portuguese stamp I mentioned earlier is of same value to me as the 1.40 Escudo Seal of King Diniz definitive (something I’m sorting right now for shades/varieties).
But having knowledge on “how much is my collection worth ” or “is this stamp worth money” is something each collector should know, as it also affects the other end when you are buying (or otherwise acquiring) stuff. Without having some knowledge on how “the system” works, a collector can get ripped off seriously. But with proper knowledge (and patience), he/she can make good deals that add to collection at right price.
Just my 5 cents worth.
Keijo – thanks for the reply. You run an excellent blog here. Kudos.
I dont care what my collection is worth either..it’s a ‘collection’, not an investment as far as I’m concerned.
I make a note of cat values in my records for 2 reasons:
a) For selling dupes of anything that has value
b) When my collection is worth enough I’ll need the value for insurance purposes.
I join the chorus of those who don’t care what my collection is worth.
Alyn
hello ,
i have a stamp collection that has been passed down , i know bugger all about it but everyone says that they are worth something , i have about 10,000 stamps , some were collected where as some were paid for , i have whole sets , some very very old , from all over the world through out all differnt eras , honestly theres some from pretty much every country, animals flags kings queens presidents sport etc , i dont wanna get ripped off but in saying that there is so many i wouldnt know where to start
thanks todd
@Todd…
I’ve written this earlier, and will say it again. There’s no bulletproof method except going trough the lot stamp by stamp; and even that is totally tied to how good You are on using the catalogue/identifying stamps correctly.
On itself, 10.000 different worldwide stamps is not that large or valuable lot to come by. Around 500€/$ should be enough to purchase such “large, generic accumulation/mixture” from most stamp dealers.
Hi Keijo….
My whole focus on collecting stamps has been on one country…..the United States. These are my guidelines: 19th and 20th century only, mint and graded fine/very fine and never hinged… when possible. I have never deviated from these requirements. Other than the fun of collecting…..will the true value of this collection ever be realized? Face value if nothing else….would appreciate your thoughts…..thank you……Ed
@Ed…
As I’m not a dealer, this is just speculation of a fellow collector.. I’d say that it depends entirely on items You have. But I think most dealers and collectors will underwrite the following:
What is cheap now, will likely be cheap in 10-50 years time from now.
It’s very likely that on the prices/values of mid-level items ($5-250) will fall heavily at some point. This is purely due to supply vs. demand.
But the high end material will likely remain somewhat “as is” (as most of their value is based on investment value, not their value as collectible item).
Just my 5 cents worth,
-keijo-
My question is about buying from dealers instead of selling to them.
I’m just now getting back to collecting from my childhood days and I’m not sure about what is a reasonable price to pay for a stamp (recognizing that also depends on condition). Is there some guideline percentage of cv that I should use for a fair value? Do dealers expect an offer/counteroffer process to negotiate a price? Any thoughts on how to approach this would be appreciated.
And thanks for the blog. It’s interesting and very helpful.
@Joe…
I’d say that it depends entirely on the item, and how much You want to be the next owner of the item.
A catalog value CAN BE a handy guideline, but very often it is way off. So the best bet is to know what You are collecting, and rely on your instincts. Unless you are collecting something extremely rare, it is very likely that nearly every stamp dealer around has something to fill that space in your album.
I’d say it depends entirely upon country and culture. For example here in Finland it’s not considered good practice at all.
So far I’ve never met experienced dealer who would sell anything at loss
Ive had several people come into my hobby store trying to sell me stamps, as I have always collected stamps it seemed like a good idea, recently I have been learning with a stamp dealer, and I learned a lot of stuff, there is a lot of time invested in going through collections, and time is money, this one person wanted to sell me mint unhinged us stamps at 15% of cataloge value, at that rate I would have to sell all the stamps to make a profit, as I am only on eBay that would be kind of hard to only make 15%, the next person wants to sell me mint us sheets at face value, there is no way I can buy mint sheets at face, where are my profits going? eBay and PayPal get there fees and then it’s time and money invested in going through them so at that rate I am at a loss too, I don’t get why people think they have thousands of dollars of stamps sitting around, I thought the same way recently and I’ve learned stamps are worth what a collector is willing to pay for them, not cataloge value and not face cause there is not money to be made at that unless your a specialized dealer or have a true store where people can physically see the stamps.
Just my 2 cents,
Bill
@Bill Curtis…
Hear, hear… And especially with this era of Internet, shopping around and looking for “best deal” has become the norm (both in good and bad).
I pulled out a stamp collection that I did when I was a young boy 1964…Nigeria, Bolivia, etc…I was wondering if there is a website I can reference to see if I might have the ‘golden egg’ stamp…never know…thx.
@Wayne… I’d recommend a visit to local public library. Most public libraries can provide you worldwide stamp catalogues free of charge (and printed catalogues are much more comprehensive and easier to use than anything online).
Alternatively, You might want to check websites of Michel, Stanley Gibbons, Scott or Yvert (these are the 4 major worldwide stamp catalog publishers) – all have subscription based online services that provide catalogues.
i should sell my stamp collecton
@shibin… LOL
KEIJO——–Just stopped by to say your still doing a great service to the stamp collecting community and your answers are always spot on ,keep up the good work.
I’m still expanding my worldwide collection and having a lot of fun and relaxing time working on it . I have been picking up extra material to work on during retirement.
I like your chart on worldwide collection values and pricing ,with my experience as the numbers of stamps get above 200,000 different the collector usually start buying specialty studies and material that goes beyond a general stamp catalog meaning that type of stuff needs a separate pricing…..but over all a nice guide and accurate to todays stamp market…..
@Paul… I’ve debated this few other worldwide collectors, and some say that things will start to get *difficult* around 150K stamps or so. Personally I disagree with this view, as my personal hunch is that a lot depends on where/how one acquires the stamps. But I guess that in 10 years time I’ll know (and can share) a lot more (as my collection has hopefully reached 150K landmark by that time).
When I’m bidding on a collection being sold at auction, I’ll assess the condition/faults and then catalog the (sound) oldest stamps for each country. Quit cataloging when the values fall off to $50 or less. Go lower if you have the time and eyesight, and note the odd high face values after that. Don’t count heavily cancelled stamps or those with a perf missing etc. A tiny thinned spot is still a thin. As prices spiral up, perhaps go a bit deeper, but cataloging $5 stamps or sets is a waste of time if you are after an overall value. Expect the stars of the collection to get near catalog or a bit more if expertised, 10 to 50% of catalog if not. Value the pre-1950 balance at a nickel a mint stamp. Ignore the rest and bid. Going through the same process should give you a reasonable estimate of what hammer price you might expect at auction — knock off the auctioneer’s 20% and that’s what your collection is probably worth.
@mikebrinn… That’s very solid piece of advice.
My preferred method of acquiring new stamps these days is to watch ebay auctions for really nice stamps on which no one else is bidding on that particular day. I generally wait until the last minute to bid and never bid more than one-third the catalogue value. More often than not I am outbid, but that is part of the fun. If someone else is willing to pay more, they are welcome to do so. The result has been that when I do put in a winning bid, it results in what seems like a real bargain (you may laugh if you like). Filling those empty spaces with good-looking stamps bought cheap is what it is all about for me. Point is, those catalog values are only useful as a measure of what some people are willing to pay. If I can buy stamps at one-third catalog value, dealers are going to pay even less.
Not sure about other countries but here in Canada you can fill out a form from Canada Post to have them buy back(at face value no less) any unused Canadian stamp. This works for a relatively small part of my collection as the majority are stamps from Gr. Britain, greater Europe, China and Indian States, a great deal are pre 1900. I’ve poured over various catalogues over the years and i’d have to admit that I’m more confused about my collections’ value. Seems like there are multiple variations of most stamps. Are these “old” stamps better off sold as a lot or individually? Should I sell them in lots according to country?
@Douglas…
It really depends on what you have… The problem is that if you sell it by country, then you are usually left with hard-to-dispose leftovers that nobody seems to want at fair price. Or if you sell them all as batch, then the “common stuff” might devalue the rest of the lot… A more better question is how much effort are you willing to put in monetizing the lot. If you want to keep it simple and fast, then sell everything as single lot. If you have the time, then go ahead with smaller lots.
Keijo. I have several fairly comprehensive collections, mint and used. King George VI all Commonwealth; USA up to 2000; and several others. I buy from e bay as most collectors do, but nowhere in your letters do I see Bidstart mentioned. I find this a very good site, particularly for the USA, and would recommend that your members give it a try.
@Colin… True, I don’t mention BidStart/Stampwants by the name that often. And that’s mostly because it’s very US specific, whereas eBay/Delcampe are much more global (like the majority of this blogs readers).
Interesting reading, enlightening. Forty years ago, I went to Sears with my stamp collection, many really old stamps from the US and Canada, plus a conglomeration from those and other contries. Unmarked, first additions, blocks, etc. The guy told me 50 bucks. i was insulted and walked out. Paid thousands for the stamps through a dealer at the time, with the rest inherited. Still don’t know how dealers can sell the stamps to collectors for 1000 percent profit, when they say once I have it, it is worth nothing. Can’t believe there are so many first Canadian stamps out there, that the dealers can supply to all collectors, unless collecting has dwindled to nothing. And from what you say here, the Stamp Value Book is nothing more than toilet paper.
My take on this whole thing is that my collection can sit there for the next thousand years, until there are not many collections out there with my stamps. I have 50 bucks in my pocket, so I don’t need the rip off. At some point we will not need stamps anymore. Wonder is the value will increase or decrease after that.
@Ted….
It’s nothing personal. It’s just business.
Hi Ted Cumber,
Yes, selling collections can be frustrating. The fact is with Canadian stamps though, we only a few exceptions, they are quite simply not very rare. Take the Admiral Series for instance – (King George V in his Admiral Uniform, issued 1911-1925). I have thousands of the 7-cent Yellow Ochre stamp in USED but in AVERAGE condition. I have 100’s in USED FINE condition. I have 3 USED in VERY FINE Condition. I have about 50 MINT, but PREVIOUSLY HINGED. I have another 7 Mint, NEVER HINGED, but the centering is not terribly good therefore considered GOOD Condition. I have 2 MINT, NEVER HINGED but with one margin out so perhaps FINE Condition. In my collection of Admirals, I only put in the very best – MINT NEVER HINGED WITH PERFECT CENTREING, basically better than VF, more like XF (EXTRA FINE). Therefore, the spot in my collection for the 7-cent stamp is empty.
This is the thing that so many people forget. It is all about condition, particularly with the earlier sets.
Now, I have not seen it yet, but you only have to go to a Canadian stamp show and look around at the attendees. Count how many of them are over the age of 60. It is astounding. I am a member of BNAPS and RPSC. There list of new members in each issue is most often outnumbered by the list of recently deceased members. So, you would think that as they die, there would less demand and more supply. But the dealers are buying everything up and are keeping the prices high. Most catalogues, whether it be Scott, Michel, Y&T etc., need to keep the prices steadily rising as they rely on advertising dollars from dealers, and dealers need to see the prices moving up. Gibbons to me is the worst of the offenders, as they, unlike a Scott for instance, is also a dealer and is also marketing stamps as an Investment – they are an AFINSA in the waiting.
So this is why I buy only the very best condition in early stamps. I assume that they will continue to appreciate because they are rare. I recently sat down at a vendors table at the Canadian Stamp Dealers Show. He had no less than 50 copies of the Mint 50-cent Bluenose stamp – considered one of the loveliest stamps ever printed. None of them past my discerning standards though, and so that place in my album sits empty to.
Sadly, I still buy all of the new issues from Canada Post. I expect that those will never appreciate in value, I just can’t help myself, which is by I am a COLLECTOR, and not a DEALER or an INVESTOR.
I have committed to my wife and family though that effective January 1, 2013, my stamp collection must be self-subsidizing. Therefore, I can only spend money on new aquisitions, with money I have made from selling. That is proving to be tough!!!
Pax vobiscus
Brad
By the way Keijo,
I really enjoy your site here. You got me back into collecting world wide material. I am also following your lead and putting them in stock books, except for Canada where is customise each page and put the plate blocks in mounts. I have also started keeping count of the number of stamps I have from each country, which allows me to decide whether to put them in a stock book, or just the pages temporarily.
So I just want to thank you for the inspiration, and bringing some fun back into collecting for me.
Pax vobiscum
Brad
@Brad…
I agree on this to very large degree. It’s pretty much the same with any collectible.
That said, IMHO it’s also important to remember that condition is always an opinion (which is why I personally think that ‘professional grading’ is more or less of a fad). One man’s junk can be another’s treasure…
That’s great to hear
holy ****! buy my stamp collection NOW!!!! for only 500 bucks! That’s the cheapest price that I can offer!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!! HURRY!!!!!!!!!!!
@Joshua…
Keijo
Sou do brasil, gostaria de uma força sua, uma ajuda.
Olha meus selos, minha coleção teve início a mais de 160 anos atrás… e está viva até hoje.
Olhe, veja o que acha dela. Desmontei ela toda, agora vou começar a montar tudo de novo.
http://lennonlighit.blogspot.com.br/2013/02/my-collection-of-stamps-with-many-rare.html
@Lennon…
I think you are doing wisely by removing stamps from their original album, as I notice mold stains and rusting on pages / stamps.
Regarding the stamps…All in all this looks like a lovely old time accumulation. I can spot some ‘not so common’ items, but the condition (especially rust/mold) is a real value killer.