I'm New..don't Know Anything About Stamps. Help Please...

I received a book of old stamps from all over the world. Mainly I was just interested in the U.S. There are some from 1909 and on I believe, maybe earlier. Franklin, Washington, Lincoln, Special Delivery, original Christopher Columbus Discoveries, etc... They are mostly used and not in terrible condition, so my question is if there is value in them. I am pretty busy with my children and everything else and I don't know where to go to sell or even ask about them and I don't have time for auctions.. any advise or info...thank you

I suggest you go to a library and check out the Scott's Stamp Catalogs in the reference or hobby section. Check your local listings for a stamp club or stamp shop in your area. You may want to search via the APS link in the upper left corner of our site to www.stamps.org

Can you post pictures to help ID your stamps? Maybe, you will want to start collecting yourself or your children. Make it a family project.

BTW Welcome!

Thanks so much for the help Stamperdude, I'll try and get some pics posted this evening. I can't wait to learn more about them....

One suggestion I would like to give is that IF you do decide on parting with your collection it would perhaps be best to part with it to a collector rather than a dealer. Dealers must make a profit to stay in business, as they should. Consequently, the offer you would receive will be less than what a collector would. Knowledge is power so be informed as to what you have in the collection before you do part with it.

I hope you keep the collection, make it your own and pass it on to your children. Get them involved with it if you can and don't overload them too much too soon. Stamp collecting is a great learning tool.

Welcome to the community! :) I am like you, busy with the kids, and the hectic life of a parent, but I too was fortunate enough to recieve an inherited collection. Knowing NOTHING about them, I started doing research and eventually joined this site and you wouldn't believe how exciting stamp collecting can actually be! :) Everyone is right, hang on to it, take your time, and have fun with it. Maybe you can grow your collection and get the kids involved someday! All you have to do is post a picture here and you won't believe the flood of responses you'll get from these incredibly knowledgeable fun people :) Happy stamping, and welcome!

I could pretty much echo Lux's post there. One thing to add - stamp collecting is a relaxing hobby, and I find it great to unwind after a hectic day with the kids. Don't rush to get rid of the stamps. They are often worth more for pure appreciation than monetary value.

I will echo Stampgal's echo.....OK then, a double echo, a double echo


A lifetime of fun, relaxation and learning is in store if you hang on to those stamps.

So just hang on to them, and stick around here to make it all worthwhile. That's an order.

Now about those scans.......

Londonbus1.....A stamp Clown! [The perfect Smiley]

Taz,

There are some basic truths about stamps that are worth noting.

1) If you have recieved a collection and have no information/knowledge about them, it is best to seek out a community of collectors either online or in a local club. Grats on finding SCF ... you will find the people here to be most helpful :)

2) Mail was the primary, if not only, source of communication for decades so postage stamps were used by the billions upon billions. As such, there are a great many that have survived and aren't especially valuable. But there are exceptions to that rule ... which leads me to three ...

3) Handle postage stamps gently and try to keep them in a cool, dry place. I highly recommend posting a photo or two of the "book" you received so that we can help determine the paper type the stamps are mounted against. Home-made albums are notorious for using cheap paper. This paper may contain acid that will turn the stamps yellow over time. Our goal is to preserve postage stamps for future generations :)

4) Don't be overwhelmed! Take your time and enjoy what you have. It's ok to put them away until you have the time and patience to learn more :)

Cheers!

Brian