Collecting The World

I use StampManage software to track my collection so I have an accurate count of my mounted collection. The main exception are the Machins since StampManage follows Scott and does not list all the varieties. Machins are tracked in a spreadsheet.

Using some method to track is a must for me to keep from purchasing duplicates. I also have a scan of every page in the collection.

I would second the recommendation to complete "A Stamp for Every Country" album, which is available online from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. I printed it out on acid-free paper and look forward to completing it. I think it takes around 800 stamps to complete. It has certainly satisfied my itch for a worldwide collection while I focus on a few specialized areas otherwise.

Just a side note here ...........This past weekend at Kelleher Stamp Auctions they sold two massive Worldwide collections
.
One had better stamps and had a average catalog of about $1.25 per stamp . It was in 31 volumes of Scott Internationals . It sold for $18,000 so with the 20% fee ,they paid $21,600.00 for the collection .

The second collection was over 100,000 stamps in 39 volumes , this lot sold for $11,500 ,so the buyer paid $13,800 .


Both lots seem high to me ,but I like the fact that huge worldwide collections are getting much stronger prices