Another New Member Looking For Guidance.

I received a small stamp collection a couple of years ago - all that was left of my Grandfather's extensive collection of stamps and coins and don't know where to start.

I realize that I must educate myself about stamps but again, don't know where to start.

In the collection I have:
1869 - Ben Franklin
1857 - George Washington
1875 - Andrew Jackson
1881 - Benjamin Franklin & George Washington

Many American Bank Note Co. complete pages for: 1883,1887, 1890-93 and many more.

Your indulgence and assistance is appreciated.

Thank you,

Welcome to the world of stamp collecting, sseibert. To get the best assistance, you need to provide images of the stamps you want to know about. With a view to work with, you will get extensive and detailed assistance.

Thank you so much for your response. I am currently using the internet at large and Hobbizine which I am finding most interesting. I wouldn't know which stamp to post first. I have hundreds. Some full page collections and some partial. Some stamps have printed numbers nest to them as well as partial sheets with arrows going different directions. For instance: complete page, United States Postal Issues - Issue of 1898, Perforated 12 Double line Water Mark. Wow. Most interesting.

A Big To Our Community.

Thanks for the welcome -

Sooooo. The stamp album is: American Commerative Stamp Album and have identified many stamps in it but am wondering if and how a numbered stamp in that collection can be associated to Scott's Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue? The Stamp Album numbers do not appear to match the Scott's numbers. I have been carring around this 1944 edition as well for 30 some years.

Uploaded this picture. Tried to upload a second image but couldn't get it done.

Thoughts?

Those numbers on the side of the stamp are plate numbers.

What significance does the plate number hold other than identifying the specific block that printed them? Do the stamps increase in value because the plate number is attached? I do have a block of six with the block #7942 on top and understand the significance of that, but why would that be significant if the stamps do not display the error?

I have not collected stamps to long so I really don't know the significance of the plate number other then what you stated. I just know some collectors like to collect blocks or singles with the plate numbers on them. I do not know if it increases the value of the stamp or not, but I do not believe it does.

Thank you for chiming in.

sseibert3,
Your last image shows many interesting plate number varieties. None are guaranteed to be very valuable, but all of them are very interesting. I hope to encourage you to post them to the US Classic Stamps Mint and Used subforum.

You've got a collection that is at very least interesting. Personally, I desire to see each one of them in full detail. The collection that you possess is quite special.

Please share detailed scans of them on the US Classics forum.

Thank you for your direction. I have looked and found the subforum.

Is there a particular order in which I should post the pics and how many should I post. My earliest is #1 then 64, 88, 122, 286 and many more. Is there a reference available that can identify these block numbers?

BTW - Is there a spell check available for these postings?

Been trying to upload a pic or two for the last hour. Can't seem to get it done. Sorry

Update -
Just thought I would update as to what we are doing with this collection. We found a local philatelist who has a bunch of initials after his name and is a current President of a State association. I would guess he was a good place to start our understanding of the collection we have in our posessition. He came to visit a couple of weeks ago and was quite interested in our collection and said it probably had a 5 figure+ value. Hid did not perform a comprehensive examination of the stamps and did not remove many from their individual envelopes and suggested that we remount them and catalogue same.

We have acquired a 2011 Scotts Specialized Catalogue and are working on removing them from their sleves and placing them in new Vario Stock pages and using the Scotts to identify as best we can what they are. Grandpa has most identified with the Scotts number on the back so it is just verifying what he had written and putting the information in a template formate that includes, year, person, value, Scotts # and Scotts value. We are also keeping a separate list for inventory purposes. Most of the stamps that we have appear to be Mint Never Hinged in the Fine and Very Fine condition.

We will be liquidating the collection when we have finished cataloging and re-setting them. We have been advised that we will wish to send many to authenticate and establish value and grade and he suggests that many go to auction houses. He has expressed an interest in selling the collection on consignment and we will discuss what that means in the next week or so.

We are finding the process most interesting and have also acquired water mark solution, perf. guides and lighted 10x magnification as well as tomgs and a few other tools that we are using to determine identity and rough value. We are currently examining color differences as I am sure that many of you have the same interests and are looking at guides available at Subway Stamp Co. that might be useful in better understanding color variation.

I am certainly no expert and do not claim to be but we would appreciate suggestions/input on how best to sell this collection. We live full time in our Motorhome and travel the US visiting people and places of interest and therefore have no acceptable place to store the collection. We no longer have a stix and brix house so the storage conditions of this collection is questionable and would not want our environment to ruin the stamps. We have thought about putting them in a safe deposit box for the kids but..... It gets too complicated and in my old age would prefer to let the collection go to those who would enjoy the stamps.

Your interest has been appreciated and will be awaiting your comments/concerns - if any. :-D

This is very nice to see that this was past down from your Grandfather.

I myself am fairly new to this hobby. I am learning a lot from all these fine people. I would like to welcome you aboard.