What To Look For?

I should be getting a box of stamps to look at from a friend of mine. I don't know anything about rare or special stamps. I collect coins and I am on the coin website with over 300 post. So I joined the stamp one to learn some stuff before I look into them. I heard they go back 80 years if right. ( the stamps in the box) So what should I be on the look out for? I understand stamps can be just like coins but different things you must look for and they even have grades like coins

Hello solotime, welcome!

The stamps grading goes by condition and eye-appeal, mostly somewhat like coins' grading.

Centering is a big one to look for, all the paper intact, no rips, tears, thins or creases, back or front, a nice cancellation if applicable (light, readable), and nice colour or not faded is also good.

After that the rarities and varieties that some stamps have will need to be looked for in special catalogues or the Scott US specialized catalogue, generally available at your locoal library, in the reference section or out on the shelves for loan.

Pre`1940's stamps are generally worth more, if in very fine shape and older stamps than that have their own special grading system. Look for the front pages of a Scott catalogue to read more about grading stamps.

Or, post up some picture here , scanned or with camera and people here could help you with the general valuing or desirability.

Alright thanks! I will hopefully have them tomorrow and start scanning the ones that are just like you said. I never saw them before but I hope they are in great shape, otherwise waste of time. There might be a few worth some money, not sure if the lady who owned them ever bought any from people selling them or if she just saved them up.

If there are any full envelopes (covers) or pieces of covers with interesting cancels or markings or air mail labels or anything extra on them those also would be interesting to see and comment on!

Welcome to the paper side of things.
A word of caution, if you have to soak a stamp for any reason, don't mix any red or green envelope paper with the stamp bath. They will bleed into most of the others and potentially ruin an otherwise nice stamp.

Art

So how'd you make out? Have you got that box of stamps yet?

Got them today... have no idea of what's rare and stuff, lol.

I think all of them aren't from the USA. I guess I should scan some and put them up?

That sounds like a great idea, you will get some idea of the collection if you post some scans up here.

Okay guys, here are Canadian and some Cuba.








dang it, link somehow failed?

So anyone know if these worth anything? I been waiting for people to reply.

Pretty common material so far, you can't retire... yet, at least not off of these

Alright, so you guys want more? I got tons of them all over. Just tried those ones.