Is It Worth It?

I'm new to the stamp collecting world and came across this.

4 albums, looks like all hinged. Asking $300 for all. I'm used to buying 10c stamps on ebay and this would be my first big purchase. Worth it?

For me it would be impossible to know without seeing many more pictures.

I agree with Shermae, it would be hard to tell without more photos. See what is there in the US, Canada and Great Britain section first. It looks like someone started with a Citation and perhaps built with supplements.

As others have said, hard to say without more and better pictures, but what's visible appears to be the common material that runs through a lot of general collections from the 50s or 60s. $300 is what, £220? That's actually quite a lot unless the material is better than what's shown in a quick view. I'd suspect that you could pick up large, fun lots for less.

I'll try to get him to take more pics, I'll post it ASAP.

If you are just getting started it would be a nice boost. Probably be worth $300 just in the fun it would be going through it. Never know what might turn up.

Offer him $250 and enjoy. Never look back, just move forward.

Hi,
I agree its worth the chance.......... Buy the albums, go through them and pull what you need, and relist them separately on ebay.

I've found some minor hidden treasures in old collections, and you may find some in this.

If the pictures are representative, it looks to me like there is easily 3,000 stamps in those four albums, which would be 10 cents each. If I were just starting out, and the material was interesting to me (it is not, because I'm much more narrow in my collecting interest) I would probably go for it. It would be lots of fun sorting through it all (again, if the material looks interesting to you).

If I look at the right page of Hungary, this page will be fill with a 1500 pack of Hungary, and this page is not even at 50%, so it's means it's very common stamps, but for $ 300 I may get them to fill bookshelf

If you find a significant number of mint intact sheets (US-superman. Florida Sheets plus others) offer $150, meet in the middle of the counter offer. If you are just starting out and this has a significant load of common issues, (1,000 @ $0.25 is $250) and you can feel comfortable in knowing these are common issues, but yearn for immediate gratification, go for it)

What kind of value is associated with used Citation albums? I can't recall off-hand if they are desirable but would that be a factor?

YES , it is worth it for you to purchase it . Don't mind all the others here . They don't understand the learning experience you will get with those albums . It will expand your knownledge of stamps and what you need to know as you move forward with the hobby . You got to take the jump and find out whats out there .

The pecking order of Harris went like this...
Traveler-Statesman-Senior Statesman-Citation- 2 volume Standard
Each album would include more pages for stamps (and be more expensive). There was another 4 volume Harris too in the 90's but that's another story. All world supplements for Harris were the same for all above the Traveler. Each supplement would have around 40-100 pages or so, well short of a Scott International, but from the 70's to the 90's they weren't too bad and at least had the popular issues. One question to ask: Is this one Citation that grew with supplements (just ask what year the pages go up to) or is this two Citation Collections. If this is only one collection that would be better with less duplication. My gut feeling is that this collection is in order by country. If you are just starting out and need all those stamps it could be a good deal, if you want to go the Harris out. By comparison my local stamp store has a part 1 to part 7 Scott International run for sale with some stamps in them for $550.

Another thing to check is if the countries complete. Chcck for US and British Commonwealth also be sure the countries go to Z too!

For a new collector its a good lot to start with for a learning experience & some fun. Try to complete all the missing stamps you'll find it a lot of fun. I say go for it $300 not that much but make sure your aware how much the postage is before you buy it.

When I was young I was dreaming having the Citation albums, I had an Ambassador album. For beginners it's a good start. Welcome to this forum and enjoy the hobby, so much to learn and discover! Daniel

How many stamps are in the collection? With large WW lots like this, I wouldn't pay more than.01c per stamp. You can find WW albums full of stamps on ebay for $50-$75 ea every day.

Brian