Aussie Collection Help

Hi all, figured I would post this in the Aussie section as it was most relevant.

I have been working my way through my grandfathers Australian stamps (he passed away in the 80's) as I want to assist my mother in selling some of them. My grandfather had reasonable philately knowledge and had a few hundred first day covers and stamped envelopes starting from 1929 to approx. 1980. He also has loose stamps, although most have been hinged into an album. They are predominately in chronological order with a few sections that seemed to have been put into "themes". The loose stamps range from the Kangaroos onwards. Although there is also a section that has individual stamps from the various States which seem to date late 1890's-early 1900's?

I have rudimentary knowledge of philately and probably enough to know what I don't know too. I have the current edition of the Aust. Stamp Catalogue but also understand the limitations of this for valuations in regards to it being full retail and that many stamps are worthless and the minimums irrelevant etc etc. Obviously condition is also key etc.

Well a few of the questions I have:

- Looking at some of the early issues (e.g. Kangaroos and KGV). I understand the watermarks can play a big part in determining any value, but to be honest, I am finding them damn hard to see. Any tips on making it easier to view them? I have tried a magnifying glass and holding the stamp up to the light. This probably leads into my next question...

- If I am looking to sell some individual stamps do I need to pay to get them "unhinged"professionally? I'm guessing that would make it easier to view some of the watermarks once they were out of the book, it would also enable me to put them potentially into liquid solutions that may make it easier to view the watermarks. That said if they aren't worth much then again no point me wasting my time getting them off the book.

- Finally is there any recommendations for where to take them in WA. Sure I could go to just any dealer but I'm obviously reluctant to do that and just take pot luck with their integrity. Any other groups in WA that would be worth looking into in order to get a better indication of what we do (or don't) have and at the least help me identify which ones might be worth a closer look.

Anyhow, I have attached a heap of pics. There is obviously tonnes more than what I am showing below, although most of them continue on chronologically into later years from where I stoped scanning (both individual stamps and covers).

Supersize images can be viewed in this link

https://www.use.com/OFRZ0

But I have smaller images below









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Howdy Slash

Rod222 should be able to steer you toward a stamp club in WA

We see a lot of people with situations like yours and their collection are not so good.

The condition that your images show the stamps and covers look to be in very good condition.

You definitly have a very nice collection from somebody that knew their stuff.

Thank you for sharing and I agree Rod222 is who you are looking for and hopefully he can help.

And to the SCF family.

Thanks for the recommendation, Al and John.

Slash,
there are two major clubs, possibly more, depending on your locale.
I was a member of the Perth group, but lapsed when I moved to the country.

The Perth group, (Mr. Ross Wood) is contactable here
http://www.wapc.org.au/

A great bunch of Guys and Gals, huge Library, and meet in Perth City every month or so. Contact for the next meeting, (usually 20-40 people, tea and bikkies)

You'll receive sage advice I'll warrant.

There are groups in outlying areas and Fremantle.

Your early stuff, and covers look promising, your decimal examples only penny stamps I am afraid.

Your early stuff warrants appraisal.
Good Luck.




Always best to leave well enough alone, they appear to be in a fresh quadrille Album that has been looked after.

Hi Slash,

Welcome to the community

I've had a look and I'd say most (but certainly not all) of the value will be in the covers you've shown. Airmail covers are always popular.

The 1930s mint Australia is nice - miles above what is usually seen in these types of collections.

Like you said, it's what's not there eg: 10/- & above Roos, 5/- bridge, early Aust. states.

Robin Linke is the one dealer who springs to mind in WA. I've not dealt with him but I've heard nothing bad said about him.

Best of luck, let us know how you get on!

Yes, I'd second that, he is, or was, situated in Wembley.

His material always does well at auction, wide coverage, wide advertising coverage.

Just to cool the expectations, I have seen a stamp with a catalogue value of $17,000 sold for circa $800 in the past six months.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

My gut feel was similar to some of the sentiment expressed here that perhaps more value would be in some of the covers than the loose stamps. I literally have a few hundred more covers that continue on in date straight after the ones I posted. My mum also continued to buy covers after her dad died which added to the collection. Although I know more recent covers are worth significantly less (they probably go up until the mid 1980's).

That said I'm not expecting a fortune. I got into stamp collecting a bit (encouraged by my mum and Pop in my early years), but haven't continued (I'm 43 now). But it's at the point now where my mums in her 70's and a few extra dollars wouldn't hurt in her financial situation so if I helped her sell a couple of better items then that would be great (again I'm not expecting her to make thousands from it).

Rod222 thanks for the link to the Perth group, I will follow that up and perhaps my mum and I can come along to the next meeting. I will also chase up Robin Linke as the potential location of Wembley is only about a 10 minute drive from home.

I know not, where I heard it, but I always recall the story of Robin Linke, took possession of a collection many years ago, he not only had the experience to identify a rare postcard, but advised the owner , and eventually realised circa $5,000.

That sort of reputation goes a long way in our field.

Here is a letter to me 2003, his details may still be current.

Cheers for the scan.

I've looked him up and he's still around albeit in Rockingham now not Wembley judging by his website. A much further driver, but well worth it for the integrity based on your story. Ironically my grandfather used to live in Rockingham too.