My Grandfather's Collection

Hello guys!

My Family is moving house and in the process I came across my grandfather's collection. Not sure if they are even worth any value as I have no prior experience with stamps. Thought I could post here to get some expert advice as to whether to hold on to the collection or just sell them. Here are some images from the collection. Sorry if the images are not clear!










Thanks!

Looks highly promising on the basis of those pages. Definitely not the usual "give it to the charity shop" stuff.

I agree with Geoff. This is the rare collection sample we see here that looks like it was put together by a philatelist vs someone "saving stamps." The quality of the album pages and range of denominations convey this point.

That said, as with most older classic collections (these stamps are all from no later than 1901, the year of Queen Victoria's death) there is a lot of variability in condition. Numerous stamps are damaged with pieces of the paper missing, and some stamps show browning on the edges or perforations which is considered undesirable (though still collectible).

It will be worth your time to seek out a reputable source to value the collection (preferably not the same individual who buys the collection) or to find a stamp auction firm near you who can help recommend what to do next.

Nice looking stamps, definitely promising. Please post some more.

Agree with above.
The Victoria are lovely.
Hold on to Grandad's collection, be sure to avoid humidity, keep in a dry environment.

Not aware of your age, but an XP windows user?

I'd wager you will very much regret selling these, if you do.

Some of the nicer " inherited" stamps that have been seen here. Please continue showing.

I agree with all of the above. Maybe you can find a stamp club in the Boston area and attend one of their meetings. To find the information on the Boston area stamp clubs go to http://stamps.org . You have a fantastic collection of unusual stamps there and they deserve to be treated right!

Peter

If you are down in the south coast area of Massachusetts, I can recommend attending the Fall River Stamp Society meeting. They are on the second Tuesday of each month at the Stop and Shop near Mariano Bishop ave., at 7PM. I can send an email with more information if you are interested. -dave

WOW! Your grandfather obviously took pride in his collection, as evidenced by the care he took in displaying them. Be careful who you allow to view them-- a careless viewer can damage stamps merely by turning albums roughly. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the same room where the collection is. Don't expose to dampness or high humidity. Seriously! I over emphasize merely because your post states that you know little about stamps.

Most of the stamps on the six pages you displayed appear to be used and hinged. It doesn't matter. Most century old stamps have been hinged. Don't try to remove hinges or clean things up. Many collectors prefer nice, used stamps. Kelleher Stamps Auction has an office on Wells Avenue in Needham, close to Boston. I'm not recommending them because I have never used them, but I know they are an old auction house and maybe they would evaluate the collection for you.

No drinking or smoking? Oh dear, my collection will have to go.

Stamps are more resilient than the human race so do not worry and do not start taking sleeping pills........just scan everything you have and offer it on this Forum - I will be a "bidder".....why not !!
My e-mail is there as well as others/ good stamping

50 quality posts are required for buying/selling/mail on SCF.

Disappointing that xpsp2windows has not responded to any of our suggestions yet. Pity if he doesn't realize that the collection could realize thousands of dollars if sold in a good auction.

Not so sure that he was looking to sell the collection so much as he wanted to know if the collection was worth "holding onto".

Tantalizing views of the small part shown.

I have known - assumed - no, known - that stamp collectors are vultures. No, all collectors are vultures. I've known this for, well, decades. No, I knew all collectors were vultures for decades. I've only assumed stamp collectors were vultures for maybe 2 decades?

This post has certainly clarified it in my mind!

Stamp collectors are vultures!

Ok, we're all collectors...and therefore, vultures.

(Does this make us bad??)