Just Inherited A Large Stamp Collection

Wow, what a fabulous find! Especially all those autographs. Quite a bit of history there.

Cheers,

MikeR

I just started looking at his collection. My Grandfather collected when he was age 10 until he died at the age of 85, 35 years ago. It is too bad I did not take up his hobby at a young age.

Although I have no knowledge of race covers - genuine autographs of Amelia Earhart start at around $2000 and Orville Wright slightly higher. I think for these it's the autograph that will be the seller, not the cover Even a cheque signed by Orville Wright sells for $2500.

Sounds like a wonderful collection your Grandfather put together.

Balf

The autographed flight covers and pictures can be very valuable. This sounds like a wonderful collection. If you decide to sell be sure to do your homework for the right auction house.

He had put together four albums that he took to stamp shows in the 30s and 40s, he has numerous 1st place ribbons attached to them. I am definitely keeping it the way he displayed it. I may in the future sell the other autographed race covers. There are probably 150 that are not in the albums. If I decided to sell in the future, what auction house is the best?

Siegel Auctions in New York.

I will keep it in mind. This forum has been so helpful. Thanks to all that have posted.

c6joe,

I would suggest, if you haven't already, removing the covers from the pages your Grandfather has mounted them on. I know you love the way he has displayed them, but perhaps you can just lay it out the same way on new pages.

The paper your Grandfather used would have contained acid and lignin, which has caused them to discolour the way they are. This will affect the paper covers mounted on them.

For covers this significant, you really need to look after them and house them correctly, using archival storage methods. They're well worth preserving

Thanks for the scans, especially the Earhart cover. Awesome.

Balf

Balf, thanks for your input. I have already put them in clear acid free envelopes and put them back in the corners of the pages.

What is the year on the Earhart date stamp ? 1931 or 1937 ?

I expanded the cover and it looks like it is 1931. I think she crashed on 7/2/37.

My eyes are not that good anymore. yes she disappeared July 2nd, 1937.