Software Recommendation To Id, Value And Catalog Collection

We recently inherited a stamp collection from my father-in-law. I'd like to find a good software pkg that can help identify the stamp and catalog it. Additionally a ballpark value for insurance purposes. We know nothing about stamps / so lots to learn. Any recommendations? The stamp collection includes stamps mounted in books ok paper, those in plastic. A lot just loose in a box.

Thsnks in advance for your advice.

Before that, why not post some pictures here, but only of stamps pre-1943;or if after 1943, stamps with a face value of $5 or more (or the equivalent amount in foreign currency). Stuff after 1940 or so, with rare exception, has little value used and only a percentage of face value if unused.

Except for some old stamps that are expensive, most valuable stamps are varieties of other stamps. Software that identifies stamps, in many cases, cannot discern between the cheap and expensive versions. And it tends to suffer from bias towards the expensive varieties. So, in addition to such software, you, still, will be needing a good catalogue.

There is a very high probability any software that identifies stamps will get this one wrong:

Welcome to the group.

What you are looking for would be great if it existed.

There is truth in what the previous two posters mentioned.

However, for purposes of insurance, there are so many variables that need to be considered.

If you have a local library with reference catalogues, read the introduction to determining identification and condition.

Also check to see if there are stamp clubs in your area that can provide guidance to valuing your inheritance. Take good quality photograph of your accumulation and ask if they can spot anything worth insuring, or of being worthy of further investigation for that purpose.

You may post those pictures here and that would be a start to comments about the need to insure. Good quality pictures aid those trying to respond.

However, the software for this task would require high resolution scanning of each individual stamp front and back, just for starters in consistent good lighting. Further a data base would need to be created for all existing issues to compare what you have.
A project like that would require much research and I doubt anyone has attempted on a worldwide basis.


Good luck with the task before you.

There are sites online that does a great job identifying stamps. It cannot identify between two similar varieties but at least it can tell you if there are major or minor variants. It gets close enough most of the time.

Nothing exists that can do an identification job quicker than a human sorting and using paper catalogs. Yet.

Software needs good imaging to measure perforation rates accurately. Very time consuming. Same goes for accurate color/shade/hue ID. Software isn't going to find that thin or closed tear in the stamp which drastically drops the value. Most Catalog values are based upon centering of the design within the overall stamp. Not an easy thing. The human eye can call out at least fine vs very fine vs extremely fine efficiently. Software isn't going to properly value that pricey magenta cancel vs that fancy cancel vs that NYFM cancel nor that heavy smudgy cancel that kills the value.

The value part for software is the toughest thing since stamp values are based on what I laid out above.

If your stamps are mostly common, and most are, you can simply count the number, multiply by .25 and multiply again by .10 to .20 to get a ballpark value for insurance purposes.