Found A Bag Of Old Stamps I Got When I Was A Kid

Hi all,

I'm sorry, you probably get hundreds of posts like this a week. I was cleaning out my parents attic and found a bag of old stamps I got when I was a kid. I wrote off for them from an ad in a Beano comic in 93 and received a pack from "Philatelic Services & Universal Stamp Co." in Eastrington ( I have the original stamp collector starter kit in the same bag ).

I received a bag of about 200 stamps and one of the approval booklets which I picked about £8 worth of stamps from. I'm wondering what's the best way to figure out if I have something that's actually worth anything in here before I find someone to give them to?

I started looking at stampworld.com but I've so far found about 50 stamps and I have probably another 200-300 to go. I've just spent the last two hours looking for one set of posta romana stamps which I can't find anywhere, they seem to all have the same building on them in different colours and denominations and I'm starting to lose the will to live

Are there any better ways of making sure there's nothing of value in a small collection?

quickly put them in groups of countries-once there search the wed for those countries--see the value-keep or toss. Simple, toss or keep--waste your time or make money--remember, damaged stamps are not worth your time. Spend and hour tonight and put it away, an hour a night makes it easy--just my opinion---shoot us a pic of the pile of stamps, or spread out. Many of us here can tell within a few glances to---keep or toss--good luck!!

I guess start by sorting by country then look to see if you can determine old to newest. Then go to your local library & see if they have a Reference Catalog (Gibbons??) or stay on the web & look up 'country, postage stamps' or similar to sort a search

Welcome to the forum. One of the best ways to find about your stamps is http://stampsmarter.com .
An easy to use stamp identifier can help you find the correct country. You could also post a picture of some of the stamps you have trouble with - we will be happy to help.

Peter

Liam

If you bought them from a dealer's advert in the back of a comic, the likelihood of there being anything of monetary value is zero. Perhaps consider whether you want to pick up the hobby yourself or give them to one of today's small children instead.

Geoff

Thanks everyone for the advice, I'll take it slow and maybe upload some pictures of ones I'm stuck on here.

Geoff I completely agree, I do remember that I started collecting stamps for about a year afterwards though so it's possible something slipped in afterwards. They'd all be whatever a young person could get his hands on in 93/94 though so we're still in the practically zero camp but it's just one of those things I have to check. So far I have about 20 stamps that are listed as €1 - €x on that catalogue site.

I intend giving them to my own daughters or some other relatives if they don't have the interest, I've far too many hobbies currently to start looking at taking up another one :)