Used Stamps From The 30s, 40s And 50s

Hi,

I apologize for my noobishness...

I received a huge box of unused and used postcards from my deceased grandma's inheritance. Some of the postcards are fairly bizarre in just seeing how people "marketed" their products 80 years ago or so.

I also have over 150 stamps, with only maybe 15 unmarked, from the U.S. and dated back to the late 30's through the 60's. I've heard that if they are postmarked they're useless, but then I've heard that's not true, that they do have some value.

As someone who just got a box of all these beautiful stamps and postcards covering the last 40 to 80 years, mainly US stamps (a few from other countries), I'm pretty much wondering should I toss them or sell them or hold on to them?

I'm trusting the honesty and kindness of the members here to give me advice that will benefit my family if these items are worth something.

Thanks a lot folks!

First of all, postcards are definitely collectable, and the collecting of postcards is called deltiology. Postcard collectors collect usually by topics they're interested in, anything from a city or town to a special occasion to cards picturing certain people, whatever, the sky is the limit.

As to the stamps on them, it is unlikely (in most cases) that there is anything worth more than the value of the card itself, since usually the stamp used was a common definitive (the everyday "workhorse" kind of stamp as compared to commemoratives, of which many are produced over a year).

Most postcards are worth at least a buck or two, and values climb drastically, depending on the subject matter. You state that "[s]ome of the postcards are fairly bizarre in just seeing how people "marketed" their products 80 years ago or so"; can you give some examples?

First off welcome to our site. You may want to post some images, if possible, in our postcard forum. Some collectors of postcards prefer unused cards, others want a card that has served its purpose via the mailstream. I myself collect Route 66 postcards in new or used, preferably used for a pre1980 card while Route 66 was still commissioned. Several collectors look at the backside of the card for interested postmarks and the story of the sender, more of a postal history collector. For the stamps most post1940 are worth minimium catalog value of $0.20 because they are farely esy to acquire, however that is not always the case. It sounds like you have some advertising cards in the collection as well and those also are collectible. Ask any questions you may have. Hopefully, you will catch the collecting bug.

Toss them!! my way if you want nar just kidding
Welcome to the forum Dotplanners
I agree with Dude and Glenn as there must be a lot of history in the collection you've inherited,If it was me I would sit on it for a while you never know you may get the collecting bug ,also it would be nice to see some photo's of the collection so please post them if you want.
regards Harry

Welcome dotpalnners!

Good advise from all of the above.

I am interested in cancels on the cards or stamps. As are others also.

Sometimes it doesn't matter how expensive or not a stamp is on the card or envelope, it is where it came from and how it got to where it is going and what happened in between.Or the people involed.

Welcome dotplanners, I too would love to see some bizarre postcards!