Parents Just Gave Me This. Can't Find Much Online.

I did find a set like this sold on icollector.com in 2007 for $5.00. I also could not find any info for the American & international stamp exchange, inc. The address on the certificate returns a home address. I'm just wondering if this is legit or of they got scammed 30 years ago.

Welcome the the Stamp Community Forum, Gillbates!

Anyone can issue a certificate if they want and designate that they are an expert committee! That doesn't mean that anyone else will impart any expectation of expertise the that committee.

All that this one does is state that the booklet is a certain Scott identification and with original NH gum (of which the Scott ID appears to be correct). It doesn't claim any particular valuation, so there is no scamming - unless you have a sales receipt for it that shows that was sold for a huge amount way beyond the catalog valuation. BTW, the Scott catalog valuation around the year 2000 was at about $20, so $5 for it is OK.

Cheers!

dave

They made it sound like it was purchased for a few hundred dollars. Where would be a good place to get this appraised?

There is a difference between the current valuation and the valuation when it was purchased (values change over time). Also, there are different kinds of valuation. For example, if you want an appraisal, is it for market value (if you want to sell it) or for estate tax valuation, etc.

Also, the catalog valuation (Scott, for instance), is the expected retail price you may expect to pay from a dealer, not the price you may get if you try to sell it (which would most likely be less).

So, the catalog valuation may have been different, probably less, at the time which it was purchased. Only if you have PROOF, like a receipt, that it was purchased for a specific amount, would you know if they were scammed.

The best place to start for an appraisal is with an up to date Scott Catalog from your local library. In my 2006 catalog, it lists the value for a mint booklet pane at $40. It is unlikely to have appreciated enough in the last 10 or so years to make a "real" appraisal worthwhile.

Gilibates, welcome to the forum. Why do you want this appraised? You can go to www.stampworld.com and find the going retail price for this booklet pane.

Peter

It's at $32.50 in my 2011 Scott. Seems to be decreasing with age.

Robert

On ebay for $10.05 or best offer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/France-198...372247911805

Another seller at $10.05 or best offer.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRANCE-1...142803141504

One of these booklets was sold for best offer. My guess around $6-$8

The certificate is not from a legit authority - it os from a company that sold these stamps as an investment (an overpriced "investment" sold to the unaware)

Maury 2018 prices this at €20, multiply by 10-20% for real world value. I really hate this sort of scam that preys on the innocent.

Thanks for all the help and advice. I'm going to try and find out some more about this American and international stamp exchange business.

If I am reading the business address correctly as 8925 Stormhaven Court, it's a residential neighborhood. Someone's house, (if it's even a valid address) looks like lakefront property...

Yes a very nice house. When I get on my computer I'm going to look up the property and see what I can find out about this stamp exchange

"Fly by night" operations are usually pretty short-lived. This guy probably moved on to other scams long ago.

If I am not mistaken, the date on the "certificate" seems to be in the 1990's. The house on 8925 Stormhaven Court as last sold in 2001. This ought to tell something!

Peter

I just talked with my mom she said they paid $300 back in 1990 and heard of the guy Paul Harvey.