To Whom Should I Sell My Collections?

I read this sort of evaluation and it makes me just want to shred it all and save my daughter the aggravation. I collect purely for the enjoyment. I could care less if it has any value at all.
Tom

I also feel that Mystic is being bad mouthed. There prices are high but so is Walmart compared to Costco. They offer service.

I think that in the couple of cases mentioned here the collector should go through the process of selling the collection and not a disinterested non collector. At least go through the process. See what it entails. Get an estimate and then leave instructions on how to dispose of collection if you must involve a family member.

Whenever I sell collections it is the inventory, wrapping, boxing delivery to the PO or FedX or UPS that is most stressful.

What you have to not leave to the family is a pill of mess. I do believe than few albums well organised have more chance to be kept in the family.

Yeah, an organized (or at least semi-organized) collection with an idea of the value of each part is a good idea.

Look, the collection you leave to your heirs doesn't necessarily have to have monetary value. They might want it just as a remembrance or to continue a collection in later years or for grandchildren. However, even if monetary value was not the goal of the collection, your heirs need to know this, so they don't value it for the wrong reason.

Honestly my kids are 10 and 14 , if they don't demonstrate interest, when i'm gone be to old to play with my stamps, I will go visit a club few time and give them to few young persons who demonstrate a lot of interest and don't have necessary the money to collect stamp. I work too hard on my collections to see it sell piece by piece on ebay, I prefer donate it to someone who will keep it and enjoy it.

It's very clear in my mind that I don't collect stamps for money and I never have the intention to sell stamps

My father has been a stamp collector for more than 70 years. I am the only one of his children (all in our 50's and 60's) with an interest in stamps. Recently he has discussed leaving the stamps to me, and leaving more in other assets to each of my siblings.

My immediate reaction was relief, that we would not have to try to get the stamps valued to settle the estate. I hope to have a lot of fun looking at them. If I find any unexpected gems I will split the good fortune with my siblings then.

This is only putting off the issue for one generation, as I have no children, nieces or nephews who collect stamps.

I have no intention in disposing of my collection before my death. As a result, I have written a letter to my wife or other heirs with some guidelines as to the disposition, pointing out that I have some good material and a bunch of junk. It describes, in a general way, the better material and suggests a dealer in whom I have confidence for its disposition. It also names a couple of friends who are knowledgeable collectors that can be called upon for advice, if needed.

ddreisba - what part of the country do you live in? While your collection isn't worthless, it also doesn't sound like something that a dealer would travel half way across the country to look at either, so it would likely have to be a buyer fairly close to you (unless you put it in an auction).

If I may he lives in Marquette, Michigan with family in Chicago & Princeton. Several links to auction houses have been provided. Maybe some closer dealers could be located.

Now isn't this easy? Here are Michigan auction houses and dealers.
http://www.modernstamps.com/
http://www.sterlingstamps.com/
http://www.yellowpages.com/birmingh...lid=22146845
http://annarborstampclub.org/

Auction houses have a minimum consignment value and this collection may not qualify. Some kind of estimate will be needed.

heck I'm gonna leave all my stamps to the APS to sell to keep stamps going, I hope--

Stamp Smarter has a free downloadable disposition form here http://www.stampsmarter.com/album_landing.html
Don
APS #094826

Gee, I didn't intend to ignite such a heated discussion. I just wanted a few dealers suggested. I have access to names of dealers; I wondered if any one knew who was most reasonable in dealing with collections like mine.

Thanks to all who wrote. Thanks especially to those who suggested APS estate planing. I will give them a call. I am a member,and when I joined they sent me info on all of their services. I was then younger and healthier, and not much interested in my estate, so I didn't pay much attention.

I think I've been accused of bad-mouthing Mystic. Actually, I had earlier defended Mystic. But I would be very unlikely to but an expensive stamp from them, at least without first looking at other dealers and ebay. For recent stamps, especially definitives, they're hard to beat, and sometimes their price for an older stamp is surprisingly low. And they are fast.

Don

Long suffering "Mrs. Bob" and I have discussed this. They're all going down with me...boxes, bags, albums, stockbooks and glassines...in the finest tradition of the ancient Egyptians, et al. She's good with it ("good riddance"). Actually, I'm doing my very small part to strengthen the market.

Who says you can't take it with you?