Hello Everyone! Question #1

Hi, I just joined today, and I have a general question about selling an old collection. I recently acquired a collection from friends that was put together around 1900 by a great grandfather. I am interested in selling if it has enough value.

How much mark-down do you think professional dealers would pay for a collection? Has anyone sold to Mystic Stamp Co.? Ex. : if a stamp was worth $500 at retail, what do you think a dealer would pay you? Thanks for your help.

Hi Kosmet

Welcome to the forum.

You'll find there are a number of people here that can give you great answers to that and other questions.

Dave.

Here's my advice kosmet, for what it's worth.

Take a deep breath. Tell yourself 100 times, "I don't want to sell, I don't want to sell".
Then, when that is clear in your mind, look through the collection and feel the enjoyment taking over.
Then, when you are hooked and little else matters, you can come here and have some real fun.

It's easy isn't it.
Isn't it?





Londonbus1..."He doesn't want to sell, he doesn't want to sell"...

welcome kosmet, take time, stop and take time, this is the time when the sharks feed, when the owner does not know what he or she has and thinks a few buck is better than nothing. If you collections is that old, find someone that belogs to a club nearby and have someone JUST LOOK AT THEM. Scan some and post them here and we will be glad to help where we can, you have a vast number of experts right here waiting to help. there is no rush and your collection may be something more than you think (or not). Mostly - WELCOME!

Hello and welcome to the wide, wonderful, wacky, world of pre 1900 US.
My sage advise is to not sell at this time. First you need to have a feel for what you have and it's approximate value. This need not take much time or money to get started, but you may find that you get hooked on collecting. A good place to start is a web site http://www.findyourstampsvalue.com/ . Please remember that this is only a starting place and the prices they post there could be off buy 10 to 20% +/-. As for selling off your collection. Most of the larger auction houses will take a 15 to 25% commission. while I have never sold to Mystic Stamp Co. directly I have bought many stamps from them. They are a very old and well known dealer. It sound like you may have a few treasures there. If (when) you run into any bumps, please post here and we will see what we can come with. When you do need help, please post scans of the fronts and backs on a black back ground is a must. As you may not know color can be very important. For example a Scott A25 3c Washington has 13 different issues (Scott numbers) and over 65 shades color from pink to rose. The values go from pennies to over $45,000.00, so please take the time and spend a little money and set yourself up with good research material and equipment.
But most of all

Ron

Thanks everyone for your concern and advise. I have been studying the stamps carefully, and know how complex the 19th century stamps can be to determine their exact Scott number, and the condition, and the value. I will attempt to upload some from page 1 asap, and we can then possibly get your opinions about the stamps.

There are many to discuss. Should we move this to a different forum?

Rich

I would think that "US Classic Stamps Mint and Used" might be a better place for your questions about your stams.

Welcome Kosmet

Dianne

Many pictures to come. I'll continue posting in the Classic US mint and used forum.

Rich