Bought someone’s collection - I know nothing about stamps

[Customx_12]

I bought a collection of stamps from a local auction. I know nothing about stamps. These are individually sealed in holders with some identification numbers at the top and prices. I don’t know how accurate the prices are, how to grade them, etc.

I’ll post a bunch of pictures soon and if someone can help me out with pricing, grading, etc. I’d appreciate it. Or guide me to a source, at least. Also, they’re all for sale so if you want to buy them, drop me a message! I’ll take pics and post them shortly.

 

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[Customx_12]

I think I can only do two at a time so here we go:

 

[Customx_12]

More

 

[Customx_12]

More2

 

[Customx_12]

More3

 

[Customx_12]

More4

 

[Customx_12]

Last couple

 

[Customx_12]

Anyone? Are these good or what?

 

[smokeythecat]

I don't know. From past experience the unused mint condition stamps, especially blocks of 4 command the best prices, but there's mint, and then there's everything else. Unless its a rare stamp, cancelled stamps don't bring much.

The block of 4 green ones you have I saw sold on Ebay for $9.99 recently, some are now available higher, some lower. Stamp collecting isn't what it used to be. I would find completed items on Ebay and get your price comparisons that way.

 

[Clad2Silver]

Tough to sell stamps ….not many collectors anymore and dealers pay about 10% of retail if they even buy them at all.

 

[Customx_12]

That’s a bummer to hear. Maybe I’ll just hold onto them and hope for an interest resurgence at some point to boost the value/demand.

 

[Mackaydon]

To educate yourself, go to your local library's Reference Desk and ask for Scott's Catalogue of US stamps. There may be values listed but they are not the market value of the stamp. In most cases, as the other members have stated above, the current value of most stamps today is only a fraction of what they were worth--say back in the 50s and 60s.

That said, 'sleepers' are constantly being found (misidentified by non-professional sellers) For instance, the first stamps you posted (the two blue stamps) came in many varieties--all with the same basic appearance--but with subtle differences. When you open Scott's US catalogue, note your blue stamp was first printed in 1870 and listed at #134 in Scott's. Note also that the exact same image also appears on Scott's 145, 156, 182 and 206. The catalogue I am looking at shows the highest value of that stamp (of one variety) is 54 times greater than the stated value of the lowest valued stamp with that same image.

You can also go on Ebay and check out sold, not current, listings of these same stamps. Compare and adjust the condition of your stamp to the sold one and that will give you an initial value of yours.

Don......

 

[leonedimare]

It’s true that stamps have lost their value over the last decades but there are still collectors all over the world. Especially if you don’t know what your looking at I’d do a little research on the internet to learn how stamps are ID’d (you can start with Wikipedia searches of definitive stamps, perforations, watermarks, grills, markings and cancellations, and how stamps are valued and what conditions devalue a stamp). I think you can download a Scott’s stamp catalog from the internet if you don’t want to make a trip to the library. Postage was only 3c from 1863-1883, 2c from 1883- WWI, so lower denominations are more common and worth less but if you have higher denominations you may have some value. I think all but maybe one of the stamps you showed are pre-WWI. Hope you have good luck.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

There's still stamp collecting right here in my seat at this moment in time.

But it is now a very long forgotten hobby. It's a danged shame - most will be lost and never again found.

I don't know if it will ever come back - there needs to be interest from our children.

My kids will get my collection. I've tried to influence each of the 3. When I pass they won't even be interested in exploring the eaves of my house. There's spiders back there ya know? But there's that collection from my childhood - yep, still exists. Thousands and thousands of stamps, probably 40+ pounds of just paper.

Alas, but it will be forgotten. The worlds on too much of a fast track now, and history means little anymore - except for precious metals. Paper stamps ain't precious metals.

The ones you posted in your pictures - I got all of them. Don't mean to break your heart. Keep them for your children and then their children, and then maybe someday the public will take interest again. Keep them dry - someday stamp collecting will come back again, maybe.

 

[sprailroad]

I've never collected stamps, but a couple of weeks ago poking around a "junk"? store, I found 3 albums of stamps, from 1870's to the 60's. Well...I bought them for $100 just because I wanted to?, same reason I metal detect, you never know. What I have found is that there is more to lean about stamps then I could of known of, more than coins I think. Me being me, I then spent $300 more in some top of the line stamp albums, just to be clear, I never said that I was the sharpest tack in the box, I've been working on transferring from one album to the others, it is interesting though. Some water damage to some pages, but in all, OK. Something new for me anyway.

 

[Mackaydon]

sprainroad,
Congrats on picking up the hobby. Should you need any assistance ID-ing any stamp, there are still a few of us here on T-Net that will be pleased to assist you.
Don......from SoCal.

 

[Mine Shaft]

Or go on Collector Weekly, look at Stamps they cover top selling stamps on Ebay. Once your on that site and click stamps look to the Left of the page it gives you different categories. Look at 19th & 20th centuries (New) & (used) stamps. Good luck.

 

[camichael]

When I look at stamps, I check to see if the airmail stamps include the zeppelins. Those are worth $$ in any condition.

 

[sprailroad]

Nope, no zep's, but it is kind of a new part time hobby. Poking around in more junk stores in this new year.

 

[grimgow]

Cool I want to buy some stamps too for my future collection