New To Stamps With Inherited Collection

Hello all!
I have always had a bit of an interest in stamp collecting..unfortunatly it never quite came about....until recently..my mother in law inherited quite the stamp collection.
literally thousands of stamps.My jaw hit the floor when she opened that box!
With that said....I have no idea where to start with this.These stamps date back to the 1800's to the present.Some are organized in albums...some just thrown into envelopes.I know I have much research and time ahead of me..this is all so very exciting.Im literally shaking while typing this.Any info on where to start would be much appreciated.To start with....I guess whats most important is how these beauties should be handled.While looking through some....I realized that...while holding a few...we were probably doing something very wrong.Im assuming that these should NOT be handled by hand...correct??should I put each individually in protective plastic of some kind?Do I have them appraised?As you can see I am completely clueless...and have done no research thus far.This seems like an excellant community..and I look forward to meeting some of you and sharing our find.Any help and suggestions would be so greatly appreciated.Thank You so much in advance...this is so exciting!

Hi and welcome.
Firstly don't get too excited. In all probability you have a basic collection with little or no monetary value but you never know what may be lurking in there and it could be a great start to you own collection.
Get yourself down to the library and take out some catalogues for the countries you can identify. As you are US based it will probably be Scott you'll be using.
For ones you aren't able to identify try this site - http://www.iswsc.org/iswsc_ident.html
It would be great to see some pics if you are able to show any

Welcome to "SCF" Stamp Community Family. Your correct don't handle the stamps with your fingers at least until you know what you have. Like Anthony said you probably don't have anything or much of real value but you DON'T KNOW. If you have a hobby shop close by. Stamp and coin. Go there and try to purchase a pair of Stamp tongs. They look like tweezers but have a flat spaded tip. NOT POINTED!Don't use tweezers to handle stamps ever. Scott specialized catalog at the Library or hobby shop will give you values. Mystic Staamp Company also has a free catalog that identifies and also gives you the prices they sell stamps at. They also have a welcome package. You can call them and they will send you a introduction to Stamp collecting booklet free. 1-800-433-7811. Don't get too excited but also don't get in any hurry. look through your stamp books and enjoy the stamps you have. Some albums even give a brief description of each stamp that is educational and fun to read.The SCF is also a great place to explore read and learn from.

Welcome! I'm also a new collector, and the wonderful folks here at SCF have been a great help.

Enjoy your newfound collection - but take a few deep breaths. ;D

ok....Im a bit calmer this morning......I can actually hold my cup of coffee without spilling it now...hehe.
I do realize that there is little hope of getting rich...I find that the research and possibly learning a bit of history behind each of them is driving me more than anything.of course that one possible rare find helps fuel it all...hehe.Im just looking forward to having fun with it all.And thank you guys for such a quick response.When I get involved with a hobby...I like to really dive in and do things right.....and this seems like such a great place to be involved with and to help in my educating myself in the world of stamp collecting.Also thank you for the info...Ill be calling that number shortly.Now....as I said before....alot of these stamps are just thrown in envelopes....20 or 30 at a time.I dont feel comfortable with that at all...while organizing them...would it be better to put them in some kind of plastic sheath...or would it be better to keep them in open air in an album of some kind??I know these are basic things I will learn when I get books and through my research..but I figured id throw that question out there ...Ill probably go pick up a stamp tong today and would like to at least get something to organize some of these safely.And Ill try to get some pictures up asap.Thanks again guys.....nice meeting you.You have been very helpfull already :)

You never did say are they U.S. Mixed World Wide or what? Mystic Stamp Co makes the U.S. American Heirloom and it's the favorite of most U.S. collectors.There was a survey about 3 or 4 days ago and if I remember correctly 43% preferred the American Heirloom from Mystic Stamp Co. NOW LISTEN ! You can buy the three volumes for $38.95 so don't pay any more than that. They run it on sale about once a month or at least every couple months for that price.

Hello Thalos37, welcome!

Stamp tongs are a good thin to get first.

Than do some Searching on SCF here, reading at the front of catalogues from the ;library or older ones bought cheaply, then sorting and arranging in an album(s) or stack pages like plastic Vario brand or Hagner or others, or cardboard stck pages or stock books (try to get maximum 32 pages big).

To recieve more answers about specific ideas or stamps from various countries, please post in appropriate forums or sections of forums.

Posting here is OK of course but not everyone sees the welcoming threads at all times.

Subway online is a good stamp supply shop.

If you have expensive stamps or new, post-office fresh (mint) stamps them plastic stamp mounts are a good way (but expensive) to store those.

used stamps are easier to store and handle as finger oils (always wash your hands before handling your own (or others) stamps) can transfer to the stamps.

Learn as you go and have fun. Collect the way you want to. Appreciate what you have while you have it.

Hi!
Welcome to the Forum, and to a life long hobby. I was an avid collector in the 50s and 60s, then put it aside until just recently. I am amazed at the joy and enthusiasm it has brought to me. OK, my thoughts on your inheritance - most likely a repeat of previous posts.........
As sad as it is, you could have a box of stamps from the 1800s and have a real market (i.e. ebay) value of enough to buy a modest dinner. While it is possible that you have some with significant value, it is unlikely. So like said previously, take some deep breaths and relax.

I guess the first thing to do is to figure out what you want to do regarding the hobby. Do you want to get involved in it, or do you want to sell the collection and move on. Hopefully, you chose the former.

The next thing I would do is to assure I have the right basic tools.... a pair of stamp tongs (smooth tweezers) are a necessity, as stamps should be handled with them as much as possible. You will soon get pretty adept with them, and it will be second nature.

I would also get a "stamp identifier" book (Linns?) which is fairly inexpensive and will help you to sort out the stamps by country. Also, a supply of glassine envelopes will help you keep them separate and safe.

From there, you will want to pick up a stamp album(s). When you get to that point, you should have a feel for what you want to collect and put into albums. Before you buy anything, I strongly urge you to get on the main section of the forum and ask about it. Trust me, the folks on this forum can give you a first class education and definitely help you to save time, money, and effort.

Welcome Thalos, Take your time and research what you have it will be a lot of fun. I inherited a large Collection of my dads. Once you have been a member here for 14 days and 50 posts you will be able to sell and trade with other members.