Need Your Opinion On Large Stamp Collection I've Inherited!

So here is my stamp collection. As a novice I do not know too much about stamps but over the past year I have been learning more and more about them. I inherited this stamp collection from my Grandfather Walter, and couldn't be happier with such a gift.I have taken pictures/scanned most of the stamps that are within the collection as shown in the Gallery http://postimg.org/gallery/3og0cpk2/. The Scott numbers within the collection range from the mid 100's to the mid 1000's. However once you view the gallery of the collection you will find that I tried not to repeat the same stamp. The stamps are mixed between used and mint, and their condition varies as well.Some of them are hinged and some are not.The close up images in the beginning of the gallery are pictured front and back of the stamp (These ones seemed rare among-st the collection to me.) After the close up images, are a few pictures (Red box) of extra block stamps that are unused with Scott numbers ranging from around 800-1400.The wooden box contains a bunch of random/unlabeled stamps that are extras as well, mainly singles.The pictures containing the envelops are also mainly extras (mixed between being used and unused).Lastly the scanned images are of the rest of the collection.Not pictured are around 30-50 sheets which mainly seem to be from around the 1950's.I am seeking your opinion on what I should do about this collection (I am trying to sell it to afford college, which was my Grandfathers intention).I am wondering what to do about a collection this size, and how to sell it. Please view the gallery http://postimg.org/gallery/3og0cpk2/. I would appreciate any advice as of what to do, I am also curious of what the value of the collection could be? If someone is willing to help me out a bunch, I'll even mail some stamps (that catch your eye) your way in return for the favor! (within reason haha).Thanks for your help stamp community!

-Mitch

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From a quick glance it's mostly common material with real world value of the majority of Stamps from .10¢ - $3 and there are some that are damaged to the point of being worthless.

Thanks for your Input, after viewing the post above I think ill bring them to a stamp shop and try out the "Chicago" method. I have been selling stamps on ebay, and I am curious if its more financially beneficial to sell them individually or as a whole?

It is best sold as a whole in my opinion. It would make for a nice beginner's box lot.

A lot depends on how much time one is willing to invest in selling pieces of a collection versus the whole thing. Typically, the "better" inventory sells, leaving one with a balance of so called "junk" that is often difficult, if not impossible, to dispose of separately.

Of course, if you want to take the time and list every lot individually, there may be a financial gain but that is quickly offset by the time and effort to do it, so considering all of these factors, selling a collection as a "whole" is usually the better approach.

Whats the best way to sell a collection? (online, or at a stamp show or something along the lines of that)

Not a lot of avenues for selling complete collections. Auction Houses are probably the best but your collection would not meet the minimum requirements for a well established Auction House. That leaves the following:

ebay
Bid Start
Delcampe
Craigslist
Local classifieds

I agree that selling it as one lot is the best route since you would not make any Money selling them individually. Too much time and energy to list them separately.

I'd recommend going somewhere in between individual and one whole lot. I see many individual lots in there. You're not going to get rich off of anything there but I think you'd do much better selling stuff that goes together and shares a common theme. Like separate lots for the 1800s, 1900-1920 or so, postal cards and envelopes, blocks, sheets, etc. But that does also depend on how much time you're willing to spend on it

Good luck. looks like that could be a bit overwhelming.

I'd recommend opening a stamp store in your home town. There are too few stamp stores these days, you would have little competition!

I think Mitch knows a little more than we think he does.
Tom

I think Mitch has left the building.

His last post was 7 months ago.