Imperial Stamp Album

I have an old Imperial Stamp Album that is chalk full of stamps. I would estimate that the album is at least 70-75% full, and for some countries, 100% of the stamps are in the album. How would I go about determining the value of what I have?

Post some scans on here of those you consider to be the best stamps - usually, but not always these would be the earlier in date and those of higher face value.

I'm sure forum members will then be able to give you some clue about value.

I agree...the fastest way for us to get an idea of what is there is for you to post a few pictures...if you are looking for ideas of where to start, perhaps the first pages of Great Britain, France, maybe Cape of Good Hope.

My perception of the Imperial is that it was often used by novices, but that doesn't mean it couldn't have nice examples.

Thanks for responding so quickly. Here is the first page of stamps under France in the album. Thoughts?

I don't think the collector put very much thought into assembling that page. The first stamp is for the colony of Obock; the last two are Switzerland. There was little (no?) effort to place the stamps that actually are from France into any coherent order.

There are a couple revenue stamps thrown in for good measure.

Many of the stamps are damaged.

It is probably the typical accumulation that was so common back when most kids had a collection. But, there might still be something out of the ordinary hiding in there. It would just take some work to find it (if it is there at all).

I love old albums. That one, though, I would probably scavenge for interesting postmarks or anything else I needed.

If someone else sees something that leaps off the page, please chime in.

Judging for the sample page: stamps from colonies, Switzeland, Belgium and taxes, plus many low value (4x15 cents, 2x5 cents).
I don't think the collection looks very promising. As usual, anyone that runs into an stamp album thinks that he/she has found a treasure...

There is a similar one up on ebay right now with lots of stamps, offered at 49.99 US, with no buyers.
ebay is the best source for up to date pricing datapoints, if you use the SOLD items option.

Thanks for the responses. Here are pages from the album for Greece and Egypt. Would appreciate any more thoughts you all have. Sounds like I need to take this to someone to evaluate whether there are any gems in it. If anyone knows of a place in the Denver, CO metropolitan area, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks again.

Again, on the Greece sheet I can see stamps from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Spain and Western Australia, as well as duplication. On the Egiptian sheet, ther're some Sudanese and Malaya stamps. The average is very low. A childish collection, that's all!

Some nice stamps in there, even if disorganized and most appear to be relatively common or damaged. There are a couple of $1-$2 catalog value stamps in there, but the condition will make them well below catalog minimum value. Also keep in mind, that except for the perfect condition premium stamps, most stamps (even in perfect condition) sell for a hefty discount from catalog value.

But here is the potentially scary part. Are those stamps hinged in there (i.e., easily removed)? Because it almost looks like they are glued in the album! It's bad news if they are glued in. Then it becomes nothing more than an on-paper bulk lot.

Thanks all for your continued comments. KHJ, Almost all the stamps are hinged. Cursus, the collection was assembled by my great grandfather, who likely was in elementary school in Illinois when he started it, so he was a youngster.

OK, if they are hinged, that's definitely better than glued. I would say it has a lot of sentimental value. I know I keep a lot of stamps handed down to me from my Mom, even though some are in very bad shape. But there were some very good keepers in her collection -- a few individual items in her collection that a dealer would readily offer a few hundred dollars (of course, I didn't know it at that time). Also, there were a few stamps that she thought would be very valuable, but turned out to be worth $1-$2. So I would suggest to take your time, learn the hobby, and you might find a few valuable stamps mixed in. But the enjoyment value and sentimental value is priceless -- as the collection isn't from a stranger, but from a family member long ago who doesn't want to be treated like a stranger!

Enjoy!

k

I'm very sorry Mdhepner, I wasn't aware of the sentimental link of the collection. I thought that you were willing to have an idea of the monetary value of the album. That's why I made my remarks. Now, I realise that the most important is the familiar tie.
By the way, there's an introduction topic to introduce you properly to the SCF...

The collection is in the "priceless" category.

And given the amount of information available then, the remarks were accurate. Technically, in terms of financial value they are still accurate. As far as I'm concerned, it's always good to have someone to post "to the point". Combined with the other posts, it gives a good overall picture of what you have -- high in sentimental value, low in financial/organizational value (so far).

k