What do I do with inherited stamp collection?
What do I do with inherited stamp collection?
If you can’t afford to keep an inherited stamp collection but aren’t willing to sell it, consider donating it to a worthy organization. If the collection is of value or historical interest, donating it is a great way to memorialize an avid philatelist. You may also qualify for a tax break!
Is there a market for old stamp collections?
Stamp collections only rarely contain extremely rare and valuable stamps. In the real world, modern mint stamps are not worth their face value when sold at auction or to dealers unless there was a low print run or a printing error. The classic stamps of some countries continue to increase in value.
Where do I sell my old stamp collection?
If you know you have rare stamps, you can sell them through several means:
- Local Dealer: Dealers handle both collections and individual stamps.
- Mail Order Dealer: If you’re not going local, consider working with a mail order dealer.
- American Philatelic Society Circuit Sales:
- Auction House:
How much does it cost to have a stamp collection appraised?
Appraisals and Valuations Look for an appraiser through authoritative sources like official stamp collection societies. The American Philatelic Society notes you may pay anywhere from $75 to $250 an hour to have the stamps/collection appraised.
How do you remove postmarks from stamps?
For simple soaking, just follow this process:
- Soak them for sufficient time in water.
- If the adhesions do not “float off” in the water, carefully remove the old hinges, envelope paper, or scrape the gum remnants off the back of the stamp, using stamp tongs.
What stamps are rare and worth money?
The Four Main Elements of a Stamp
| Stamp | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Treskilling Yellow | 1855 | $2.6 Million |
| The Sicilian Error of Color | 1859 | $2.6 Million |
| Baden 9 Kreuzer Error | 1851 | €1.31 Million |
| The Inverted Jenny | 1918 | $1.35 Million |
How much are stamp collections worth?
Stamp collections are typically categorized by value: High (worth more than $3,000): Auction houses typically accept only high value collections. Medium (worth $1,000-$3,000) Low (worth up to $1,000)
Are stamp collections worthless?
The condition of the stamp matters. You might find that the stamps in your collection of significant catalog value are worth much less than you believed. Inferior quality stamps are, in fact, nearly worthless.