Stamp Collection Value

I am mainly a coin guy and have been hanging out in the coin forums but was recently left a large stamp collection when my father passed away and am totally ignorant about how to proceed in evaluating what exactly I have.

After sorting through several plastic storage bins I see many plate blocks, sheets, FDC's, single NH mint stamps (please excuse me if I don't use the correct terminology), partially completed albums...etc

Mostly US-mostly post 1940. But also a lot of UN stamps from the 60's on, and some foriegn -

I am not the kind of guy to just dump these at a dealer - I want to spend some time to understand the true market value.

Can anyone suggest a realistic guide that I can use to estimate value.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I would suggest going to your local library and checking out the most recent Stamp catalogs. If there is a stamp club near you drop in and have someone take a look at what you have. If the collection is organized that will make it much easier for you. Good Luck! Post any pictures of what you have questions about that way we can help ID much more quickly & accurately.

Welcome. You seem to be proceeding logically in regard to valuation. Stamperdude is right, check for a Scott's at the local library. Feel free to consult with us, anytime.

Welcome to the forum.....we love pictures. Please post some of your collection.

Hello timer.....

Welcome to the club......

Advice so far is very good......but keep in mind that catalog values are not true values, condition is a major factor and flaws are not always obvious to non-collectors.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I will look up a local stamp club and see what I can find out there. Knowing me I'll get as addicted to stamps as I am coins and not want to part with anything!

On the coin side we have the "Greysheet" which does give more realistic market prices than a typical off the shelf Catalogue. It is a good indication of what a dealer will offer for coins. Is there a silmilar guide for stamps?

Timer as others stated the library is a good start. I think what you are looking for would be the Scott cats. Like the redbook for coins it is only a guide mind you unlike the greysheet where it has stated buy and sell prices. US new Scotts run about $50 to $60 and World set about $300 new. So I would either get a used set or start for free at the library. There are other cats. but mainly they are put out by retail company's. Forgot to mention that A Gibbons or Michel are excepted but generally are overseas use.

hi

you can get a free catalog from the mystic stamp company.
i know they are over priced for many things but it can get you an idea on the value of stamps.
they also have an online catalog.

dan

Thanks for all the info guys. I think the first step is to get organized! I need to sort in to categories that make some kind of sense and then take one category at a time and start a detailed inventory. I'll stop back and post some pictures if I find anything interesting.