Estate Stamps

I am entrusted with sorting and figuring out how to receive value for 3 combined accumulations of US stamps. 240 (plus/minus) mint sheets, a box of 1/4 and 1/2 sheets, a pile of Princess Diana's still in wrappers, 3 or 4 mostly filled books of US commemoratives ( into the 1990's) etc. Nature series, Century series. Holywood.

The sheets' alone have a face value of $3500. The family hopes to cover costs for headstones. I told them they have postage for several lifetimes but, no one really wants to pick their way through that outcome.

Catalogues tell me that these individual stamps all have value beyond face. What are my options to move these along? Where is the buy/sell person that I can take them to for an evaluation and possibly an offer? I am in SF Bay Area. Thanks for your input.

Ah. You might want to prepare yourself and your people for a bit of a shock.

As a collector I stock up on postage for use from dealers who sell it at stamp shows at 80% of face on average. That is what they sell it to ME for. God knows what they paid. With some exceptions modern mint stamps (from 1945 on) are a glut on the market. Do not expect to get face value for them, let alone a retail profit. The catalog value is a retail pricing standard that is usually discounted, often heavily discounted, and for modern material should not be used to estimate value for a seller.

When you read my thoughts, keep in mind that there is always the possibility that there is gold in them thar hills...but it takes some studying to recognize the gold, if it is even there.

Generally, what you are describing is going to end up as discount postage. Discount postage might sell at 75-80% of face value, retail. In order to make any money, a dealer is going to have to offer less.

I don't sell discount postage either wholesale or retail, but what I hear is that dealers are paying 50-70% of face value, tops.

If you've done some checking in the catalogues, and have seen a few items that seem to be listed at a higher multiple of face value than others, give us some details.

There are always items out there that might have a premium, and someone could point those out, perhaps.

Anyone who has spent any significant amount of time around stamps (or stamp dealers, more specifically) has overheard the discussions when an accumulation is brought in after a death. It can be rather uncomfortable. Setting appropriate expectations with a family is pretty important.

Best of luck.

As mentioned, toss out the catalog values because they don't accurately reflect the retail market. If you get 65% of face value take the Money and run.

You can get a quick appraisal at U.S. Stamp Company in San Francisco, if they're still in business.

Thanks for comments/insights re estate value. The market glut was apparent to me while looking around. I think there are not any big surprises here as I kinda know the collectors economic level. -- looks like they mainly sent away for all new issues, mistakenly thinking of future value potential. I came across no old, hidden gems. I think such would have been prominent somehow. I'll search out the SF company. Thanks again. Wm

What part of SF Bay area are you in?
In SF, you can check with Schuyler Rumsey Auctions. If north, try Harmer-Schau Auctions. If east, try A&D Stamps & Coins.