Inherited A Stamp Collection

I recently inherited a stamp collection. I know very little about collecting stamps but I'm getting pretty excited about it. There are thousands of stamps in the collection and I'd like to learn more about them. Is there a recommended place to start to learn the history and value of the older stamps? Here is just a quick scan of some.

nice start, I also got some from an unchle who passed away something like 30 years ago just started to get back into collecting.

Welcome to S.C.F. and pick up a Scott catalog / identification guide. It'll help you get them all in order and get you started on your way! Nice lot you have posted up there too!

Thanks for the welcome. I did pick up a Scott catalog. Hopefully I'll be able to figure out what all I've got here! I know a lot of money and time was spent on the collection. I'm going to try and wrap my head around it - I don't know if things are in order or what.

Brandon,

Many public libraries in the US carry the Scott stamp catalogues. If you can get to one, check out the Scott specialized US catalogue, then let the adventure begin!

Brian

edit:

One quick comment on the stamps you posted. They range in date from 1861 to the 1930s. Some have many different varieties that will make identifying the exact catalogue number difficult in this forum. However, we can certainly steer you in the right direction!

Here is a link to identify most of the washington franklins:

http://www.jamesdire.net/W-F.html

Things you will need to be able to do to use it is:
Perforation gauge
watermark detector.
For a few, you may need to measure the design, but most not. If you do, you can try with the mm gauge on a perf gauge or buy a clear template.

This will give you an idea on where to start.

On the other hand, the non-washington franklin series are pretty much straight foreward, find in catalog and you have it.

Its always enjoyable to view collections - thanks for showing. Not a lot of money was spent on this group, but there could be gems lurking almost anywhere. Keep posting please!

Brandon, welcome to SCF. From the sounds of things, you have a nice collection and are starting out on a great collecting adventure. Since you say you have a Scott catalogue, browse through it and try to identify your stamps. I know there are many of the early stamps that are confusing and feel free to scan them in and ask for help from the knowledgeable US collectors here at this website.

Brandon, there is an "Introduce Yourself Here" section of this website (Hit the Forum Home button at the top of the screen). I would encourage you to take a few minutes to tell the members something about yourself and let us know what your stamp collecting interests are.

Hello and welcome to the wide, wonderful, wacky, world of stamp collecting.
My sage advise, first you need to have a feel for what you have and it's approximate value. This need not take much time or money to get started, but you may find that you get hooked on collecting. A good place to start is a web site http://www.findyourstampsvalue.com/ . Please remember that this is only a starting place and the prices they post there could be off buy 10 to 20% +/-. It looks like you may have a few treasures there ( the first and third stamp on the top row). If (when) you run into any bumps, please post here and we will see what we can come with. When you do need help, please post scans of the fronts and backs on a black back ground is a must. As you may not know color can be very important. For example a Scott A25 3c Washington (the third stamp on the top row) has 13 different issues (Scott numbers) and over 65 shades color from pink to rose to scarlet. The values go from pennies to over $45,000.00, so please take the time and spend a little money and set yourself up with good research material and equipment. I can assure you that any question that is posted here will receive multiple answers.
But most of all


Ron

Wow, thanks all. I didn't expect such a warm welcome. I will definitely post more scans. Been spending a lot of time trying to look up some of them. Got a lot but some seem elusive. Like the A192 cover. It has a picture of Rosevelt on the envelope and the original contents. Pretty cool even if it isn't worth much. It says A192 on the folder it's in and $15 value. It's the only cover I've found so far.

I wish I could inherit a stamp collection !

Nice stamps.

Yes, welcome Brandon. My eye went to the Washington/Franklins. Just itching to identify them. However they are in your hands.

Londonbus, I am with you, wish I could inherit a stamp collection. Drat my ancestors who did not have the consideration to collect stamps and leave them to me.

Brandon,



I don't know of a single member on this forum who wouldn't be happy to help out another collector, especially one just starting out. This is a great forum and I hope you visit often. We all like to share our stamp images, what we collect, what we recently acquired and so on. Keep in mind that of the many hundreds of members here there might only be a few that have actually met each other tho everyone are friends with each other. There are some that are always serious and some that are jesters so heads up.

will be getting a Scott book here this coming wekend... I know Barns & Noble carry them,,, aorund 20.00