Stamp collection inheritance (help needed)
Discussion
I "inherited" a very large metal chest (heavy to carry!) packed full of stamps. There are thousands of them! Many I would guess are not valuable, but natually, Im hoping there are a few rare & collectable items worth something 
There are hundreds of never used stamps, mint condition some still in origional books of 1/2d stamps, plenty of mint condition very old examples from dozens of countries
Maybe I should give Sothebys a call as parts of the collection look impressive. I gather they would look over the entire collection, give a guestimate value, and advise whether it would be worth them going through the collection stamp by stamp. Does this sound like the way in which they might proceed if I called them?
Before I call them, does anyone know of any stamp database websites, on which I might look up by country and date issued the older stamps, and see approximate values?
It was also interesting to find in the stamp collection [ego-mode] invitations from members of the royal family addressed to my grandparents, inviting them to private functions and cocktail parties, including one from queen elizabeth to her garden party!
There are hundreds of never used stamps, mint condition some still in origional books of 1/2d stamps, plenty of mint condition very old examples from dozens of countries
Maybe I should give Sothebys a call as parts of the collection look impressive. I gather they would look over the entire collection, give a guestimate value, and advise whether it would be worth them going through the collection stamp by stamp. Does this sound like the way in which they might proceed if I called them?
Before I call them, does anyone know of any stamp database websites, on which I might look up by country and date issued the older stamps, and see approximate values?
It was also interesting to find in the stamp collection [ego-mode] invitations from members of the royal family addressed to my grandparents, inviting them to private functions and cocktail parties, including one from queen elizabeth to her garden party!
Sounds a very interesting collection Bob.
I have a fairly extensive collection that was given to me - I don't collect myself (just to make that clear).
The probelm with Stamps is that the book value given by Stanley Gibbons (the bible for the market) is generally 3 or 4 times what you could ever sell them for.
I would suggest that you try ebay to get some current approximates, however the difference between a Penny Red worth 5 pence and one worth 2 grand is very subtle - it comes down to things like printing plate number, how perfect the serations are, what postmark is on it, shade of ink etc etc.
Even if you think you have a stamp in your hand that is the same as one worth £500, the chances are it isn't, and you won't be able to tell unless you really know your stuff.
To be honest, it really needs an expert opinion.
Hope that helps.
I have a fairly extensive collection that was given to me - I don't collect myself (just to make that clear).
The probelm with Stamps is that the book value given by Stanley Gibbons (the bible for the market) is generally 3 or 4 times what you could ever sell them for.
I would suggest that you try ebay to get some current approximates, however the difference between a Penny Red worth 5 pence and one worth 2 grand is very subtle - it comes down to things like printing plate number, how perfect the serations are, what postmark is on it, shade of ink etc etc.
Even if you think you have a stamp in your hand that is the same as one worth £500, the chances are it isn't, and you won't be able to tell unless you really know your stuff.
To be honest, it really needs an expert opinion.
Hope that helps.
lol t1grm. Id need the entire collection to make up the postage for a few £5 parcels, and would have to travel to the other side of the globe to send most of them.
Alex, im sure you're right. I'm not about to invest (a life)time learning the ropes, Im sure an expert opinion is what I need.
I started a stamp collection as a kid. I think I collected about 10 one week, then gave up
Still, there must be a few good stamp web sites out there, cataloging vast numbers of them, accessible via a searchable database
Alex, im sure you're right. I'm not about to invest (a life)time learning the ropes, Im sure an expert opinion is what I need.
I started a stamp collection as a kid. I think I collected about 10 one week, then gave up
Still, there must be a few good stamp web sites out there, cataloging vast numbers of them, accessible via a searchable database
Having collected stamps myself (GB mint from 1935), I'm sure that 90% of them are not worth a great deal, that 5% might be worth something, and that 5%, like the QE2 one, would go for a lot if sold in the right place.
I think you can either take the easy route and sell them in one job lot (though if you sell them to a dealer you won't get anything like they're worth) - or take the collection apart and sell in small lots, eg eBay for the low and medium value stuff, and a reputable auction house for the collector's items.
Are the stamps GB or worldwide?
I think you can either take the easy route and sell them in one job lot (though if you sell them to a dealer you won't get anything like they're worth) - or take the collection apart and sell in small lots, eg eBay for the low and medium value stuff, and a reputable auction house for the collector's items.
Are the stamps GB or worldwide?
simpo two said:The stamps are worldwide, but I dont have a clue what they are worth. Many of them are from Africa (all over africa) with a lot from South Africa. I wouldnt want to sell them to the same person valuing the stamps (that way hopefully getting a more accurate valuation) but dont have the time or experience to seperate them and sell them myself
Having collected stamps myself (GB mint from 1935), I'm sure that 90% of them are not worth a great deal, that 5% might be worth something, and that 5%, like the QE2 one, would go for a lot if sold in the right place.
I think you can either take the easy route and sell them in one job lot (though if you sell them to a dealer you won't get anything like they're worth) - or take the collection apart and sell in small lots, eg eBay for the low and medium value stuff, and a reputable auction house for the collector's items.
Are the stamps GB or worldwide?
Bob,
Stanley Gibbons (in the Strand) are the market makers/leaders for stamps etc. How about taking/sending a random sample to Stanley Gibbons and then another stamp specialist to get comparative values - then you might get an idea of the £££££ ?
I had my first day covers valued recently (every issue from 1970 to 1986 and was dissapointed in the value to say the least). It was a couple of hundred quid.
The Royal invitations etc may also have some value too.
Stuart
Stanley Gibbons (in the Strand) are the market makers/leaders for stamps etc. How about taking/sending a random sample to Stanley Gibbons and then another stamp specialist to get comparative values - then you might get an idea of the £££££ ?
I had my first day covers valued recently (every issue from 1970 to 1986 and was dissapointed in the value to say the least). It was a couple of hundred quid.
The Royal invitations etc may also have some value too.
Stuart
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