Need Some Advice

Hi there i`m new to this forum and need some advice.My wife and I have inherited some canadian stamps that her grandmother has collected over many years.My Question is that i`m not sure what there worth and I know i`ve seen some very old ones dating back to the 1800`s.I`m just wondering what is the best method to get them appraised for insurance purposes.I know there can be some shady people out there and don`t want to get ripped off.If there are any people out there that can give me some advice on what to do it would be greatly appreciated. thanks newbie

Hi Newbie,

Welcome to the SCF.
Generally speaking, most stamps have little monetary value.
If you have a large collection it would cost more to get them evaluated than they are worth (unless there just happens to be a few valuable ones in there). The best way, is to go to your local library and borrow a catalogue, either Scott's or Stanley Gibbons are the most popular. Work your way through this with your stamps, if you find any that might be valuable, you can investigate those further.

If it is only a small collection, take scans of the stamps and post them here. We have many knowledgeable members here, who are only too willing to help you.

Welcome to SCF, Newbie.

Where in Canada are you? I'm in Ottawa. If you can, post us some pictures of some of the pages from the album. We could then see what you have and direct you from there.

David

I would agree with the Scott catalogs...that is what I have been doing with the US collection my wife and I recently inherited. That, looking at similar stamps on ebay, and asking here...the people here have been very helpful so far in my brief time as a member!

Welcome Newbie. My situation is quite similar to yourself (I got a bunch of stamps from my dad that originally came from my grandfather). A lot of the stamp collection's value will depend on when the stamps are from and what condition they are in. For the most part, stamps that are used are worth less than "mint" stamps (stamps that have not been used). Also, the back of the stamp (how good the gum is), whether the stamp is clean, looks attractive, etc. plays an important.

Anyway, from my own experiences with my collection, most of the more valuable stamps for Canada are from the 1800's, early 1900's. Show some scans and I'm sure some more expert people than myself would be happy to give an opinion.

Also, you could certainly always find a stamp dealer near you and try to get your collection appraised that way. Just remember catalog values tend to be somewhat inflated.

Hello Newbie. Welcome!

I;d like to add to the good advice from others above that some folks collect the stamps because of the cancellations on them. The postmarks. The history.

If the stamps have some nice cancellations then that makes them valuable also. Not to everyone.

Also some older stamps are worth a lot more when on an envelope (cover), also depending on it's history and postmarks.

Welcome and enjoy the site. Condition of the stamps is very important, centering, light cancels. I have looked at a number of local collections and sadly had to tell the owners that they we comman stamps with little of no value, they never want to hear that of course.