Ideas For Selling A Topical Collection?

I have a fairly extensive (but nowhere near complete) collection in a popular topicalal area. I'm not interested in continuing it. Any ideas on how best to sell it?

I've considered eBay with it as one lot; or eBay as multiple lots; or Delcampe as multiple lots; or a private site. I could also put pages on my own site detailing it and put an ad somewhere, but that seems a gamble. A dealer seems like little money, but a topical dealer might be not too bad of an idea.

Or some combination: Take out the most valuable items (say, $50+ items) to list separately, and list the rest together.

I know I won't get anything near what I paid for them, but does anyone have specific experience with a topical collection? I've only helped people, in the past, dispose of general and country collections, and thematic seems it might be a different world.

There are topical clubs - I believe under the APS - as well as elsewhere. That's who I would consult - or sell through. Did you not have colleagues in your area as you were collecting? I'd offer to them first.

Thanks for responding, @Moonbird. I did most of my networking by post. I'm leaning towards the general audience right now, to sell.

mcgee
I once sold a huge olympics collection. I made all the pages for this collection using Albumeasy freeware and it fits in 6 binders if I remember well. You can imagine what's the cost to ship all that. First I wanted to put the collection to auction at an auction house in Ontario but I change my mind because the cost of shipping + the auction fee. Also you have to think potential buyer have to pay for shipping and the cost of it can discourage many. It's the same for Ebayer.

Also I needed the money quickly so selling on Ebay set by set was not an option.

I start calling and visiting dealers that I know in Montreal but only one offer to come and visit me. I have no car and there was to many binders that I can bring somewhere. The dealer that came home has a store on a website and I met him before at a stampshow. He offered me about 15% and I accept it because he was my only option in my situation. But if I wouldn't have needed the money quickly, Ebay or Delcampe or else may have been a good option for selling my collection set by set or in small lots

Hi

Getting to you rather late on this, sorry.

Breaking it up takes time, do you have that?

Selling it as one lot you most times lose money, if you can afford that.

I like eBay myself, bigger audience, but there are the fees to consider.

Delcampe is worldwide also, less fees, improving all the time, but not so well known in North America (except Quebec).

Even with a populatrtopic people have other things to do with their money sometimes.

If certain stamps are worth something then do not start them at 99c but at a reasonable price 25% - 50% of catalogue perhaps.

Use all the correct words to entitle your lots (lot) or no one will find it to bid on. Lots of people use searching now, either on eBay or on Google or others.

Why not contact the American Topical Society?
they may have a forum for people with the same
interest as to what you have.
You have to go where people of like interests meet
and the ATA seems to ideal to broadcast a part collection
for sale.