German Inflation Stamps?>

Hi , I have just recieved an old photo album of my grandfathers after he passed away ,could anyone help with the authenticating or value of these stamps ?

Hi kickshaw

The value of some, but not all, of the stamps in the top two rows might be reasonable (perhaps $1 or so, can't really make them out) particularly the purple one. Interestingly the German high inflation stamps, like in your small picture, usually sell for 5 or 10 cents each at stamp shows, even though they are about 85 years old.

If you have any interest in these stamps at all, I suggest you hang on to them. Your Grandad obviously liked them to put them in a protector and folder like that; I have some the same. Personally I find it fascinating that it cost 1 000 000 mark (and more) to post a letter in 1923. My grandmother lived in Germany during this time and my mum told me stories about it when I was little.

Where do you live in Australia, kickshaw? I live in Melbourne, Hoppers Crossing. There are many other Aussies here, one lives in Sydney, one in Perth and I don't know about the others. We can put you in touch with other people whom you can talk to and stamp meetings where you can see stamps like yours for sale.

All the best going through your grandfather's treasures.

Generally speaking, the most valuable inflation-era stamps are the used ones. Not always, but most of the time.

For a guide to values, take a look here:

http://www.philadb.com/?site=list&c...1&catuid=484

Unfortunately, most stamps are of little monetary value. The true value of most collections is in the pleasure that the collector got out of them. I have had many people bring a collection for me to look at know that it was big money. Most leave disappointed about the value without realizing that the collection was a labor of love from someone. I am sure that this was a treasure to your grandfather and that is truly a wonderful gift.

i agree, my grandfather had some grand old storied from the danube river during wwII , how he was on a boat and 2 of the crew got shot down from fighter planes firing at them, was so interesting and the stamps are a valuable memory