United Nations Collections

I just came across a huge united nations Mint stamp sheet collection, I'm wondering how collectible these are since I dont hear much about these on here.

any input I have like 3 hrs to decide if I want to bring it back from my trip with me.

clock is ticking, space is limited in the luggage...

UN have historically maintained a low value and are not very popular. I have seen large collections of UN sell for 60-80% face. Earlier (pre-1965-70) seem to hold value better.

Edwin
My general feeling is that UN is a nice collection but there is not a big market for it when you want to sell. I mean getting a good price for it. So if you're not thinking as an investment it could be good for you. Check if this collection has the souvenir sheet #38 year 1955 in Scott ($120 mnh $65 hinged). It's the most valuable item in a UN collection. Anyway it use to be when I collect UN.

Sheets huh? I guess if you do take em, you could break them up and give them out as holiday gifts.Recent or early? hmmmm.... I guess you would not mind if an envelope of MNH UN stamps just showed up in your mail box then, being the UN collector that you may become.Just sayin.
Multiples (sheets) can be tough to get rid of er umm I mean sell.

Be aware that since UNPA changed their rules to limit the number of mail items an individual could post per day, the wholesale price for UN stamps has dropped off the chart. Many of the wholesalers don't even buy any more.

For a "huge" UN mint stamp sheet collection -- the buyer has the much stronger bargaining position.

Look to see if it has the following as FULL panes --
#1-11 (1st issue definitives)
#38 (UN 10th anniversary S/S)
22c-25c flag sets
#522-#523 forest (much more valuable if is also has Geneva/Vienna sets)
a large presence of panes from late 1980s and onward (the more recent, and the more se-tenants, the better)

Deduct significantly for Geneva/Vienna unless it is related to the items listed above. Wholesale for G/V is even lower than NY.

If it doesn't have some of the items I mentioned above, I personally would pass. Remember, on UN wholesale, you are in the driver's seat.

Just my opinion.

yup, pass them up... or if you do take them then I will send you my want list for UN stamps.

someone on here hasn't done a very good job of filling my list.. (I think he forgot. And he forgot I owe him money)

Actually, I haven't forgot. I thought I had read a post somewhere in which you were buying a UN collection with covers, so I put the list on hold. But I might have misread the post or got you mixed up with somebody else. Then I got tied up with the office move and didn't email you to ask if you were still interested.

Yeah, technically you still owe me something, but it's more fun to wait for me to get around to asking you about it again!

k

And, so, were you still interested in the UN, or did you buy that other collection already? Let me know. I'm still busy trying to unpack, though. BTW, UN prices dropped slightly in the 2011 catalog, except for some of the World Heritage issues and Kosovo. So I might have saved you some money by not finishing!

well, I took the Sheets UN collection I cant even begin to tell you what is in there, its a big packet I'll start looking tomorrow. I however left the UN FDC too many boxes too little space.
I had to take the UN stuff because they were using them as postage!

the price was right since it was family... it cost me a weekend visit, a little cleaning and some computer help/work.

I'll admit I dont know anything about UN stamps other then I figured mint stamps needed a chance.I believe this stuff is early 1970's stuff I'll know tomorrow.

Enjoy your new acquisition!

However, remember that UN-NY stamps are only valid for postage if dropped off at the UN headquarters post office in New York. Likewise, the UN-Geneva in Geneva and the UN-Vienna in Vienna.

I don't care what the catalog prices say. I always enjoyed my UN collection. Except that the Kosovo issue really sort of killed it for me. But the rest is great and a lot of fun!

Khj I'm going to have some questions tomorrow. but I think I'm going to like them as they look pretty nice. can I find all the info in the Specilized US Catalog, or are they listed in the normal catalogs? I've not gotten to look yet, heck I'm not even unpacked. I heared right here to see what everyone suggested :)

All the basic UN stamps will be listed in Scott WW Volume 1. The Scott US Specialized will list the minor varieties, FDCs, and also the inscription/margin blocks, and will also have a lot more information.

However, Volume 1 is usually more than sufficient for most collectors.

If you want to collect anything and everything in UN philately, then the Gaines catalog is "it". I think the last update was actually the previous millennium, but it is still the catalog that covers everything on UN philately (I mean EVERYTHING). The full catalog (including updates/supplements) is on the heavy side of 1000+ pages.

I believe that Michel(?) also puts out a UN specialized catalog, and that also covers more than the Scott US Specialized. It covers the cards. It was available at the UNPA website at one time. Don't know if it is still available.

However, I would suggest simply using your Scott Volume 1 until you find out that you need something more. And of course, there's also lots of info available on SCF!

Some apparently value UN stamps, take a look at this recently closed E-bay listing (although I suspect the albums, pages and mounts are worth more than most of the stamps):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mint-NH-UN-Unit...:SHOP:US:101

If you are paying any real money for them, not worth it. If they are free or dirt cheap, then I'd get them - there are many UN stamps that are beautiful and/or interesting. They'd be great to give to a local scout group or to get some youngsters keen on stamps.




(I hope these images work . . .)

I collect UN stamps. The one thing they are is different in terms of motifs from the rest. Many of the themes they cover are unique. And I really enjoy the endangered species series.
I don't look at the value of the countries or themes I collect. I just collect them if I enjoy them.

If you're in it for re-selling then as many have said, they are not exactly a gold mine.

No I was planning on keeping them, I just dont hear much discussion on them and the search feature come up thin with info.

for example,
take this all with a grain of salt...
1. I was told, You can only buy them from the NY UN so they are hard to get. (however looks like some were mailed in mint packets like the post office does) and from the sound of it they are not often collected.
2. Why are they not often collected? what dont I know about this area of stamps that makes them undesirable?
3. are they collected as singles?, Blocks?, or Sheets? as I have never seen a Scotts UN specialty book I wonder how it is laid out.
4. 90% of what I have are mint sheets and I'm afraid to break them up until I know for sure how I'll collect them.

Here is the new stuff...

I know you cant really see anything but there is too much to photo right now.