Help With Valuing An Extensive Worldwide Collection

So a number of people have talked about toning, is this in reference to the stamps themselves or the paper on which they are mounted?

There used to be three dealers in my area and now there is only one. I had always assumed that selling to a dealer would reap the smallest value or estimate of value. This would be okay if I were only looking out for the interest of the heir interested in maintaining the album, but I am actually friends with the entire family and have to try and be fair to all.

I think a relatively basic statement of logic could show that the smaller the lots the higher the realized value, just a case of is it worth the extra time.

Danko, I would really like to see your collection if you would only part with $100 for the one under discussion

First, let me be clear, I'm not looking to buy it from you, just setting your expectations at right level.

My collection is over 50, 1" binders, and 5 boxes full of all kinds of stuff. Catalog value probably of several millions $$$$. Retail value $50,000 to $100,000 (with certs for high value items) if sold in singles and very small lots. To sell it as a whole collection now, I'll be lucky to get $5,000.

Regarding my estimate of $100.

Lets say as a dealer, I need to make at least 4x proffit out of this collection. When broken into a smaller lots, it may fetch around $500 - $700 on ebay. Minus 10% ebay fee, minus 3% + paypall fee, minus taxes, minus shipping charges and insurance, minus losses (returns etc). So my fair price based on the scans is $100.

If you are in US, and if you take it to a local dealer, do not expect to get more that $100 - $200 for it, $300 if you are very lucky. Hell, if you try selling it on ebay as it is, you likely will not get more than $200 for it. Market is over saturated with poor and average stamps, especially GB.

Your collection is worth more than $100 or $300.

If I were you or your relative I would take it to Dutch Country Auction in Wilmington De. (1 hr 25 min drive) The are very friendly and helpful and may charge a nominal amount or just look at it for free. They will be able to give you a realistic value.

Remembering that she plans to keep the collection and not sell it, the only thing the other heirs would believe is an appraisal from a dealer. I would pay them for it in writing, and ask what they would actually pay for the complete collection. I agree that this might result in a low ball offer, but considering she is planning to buy it from the other heirs, it doesn't make sense to inflate the price. The other heirs are not likely to break up the collection and sell it individually, so this is the most equitable price solution. In my opinion, of course.

how much do you have it insured for? I'm betting well over $5000. Actual worth vs. catalog value vs. "how much can I get for it" are all different things.

Stop being disingenuous.

danko, a hundred bucks by any standard is a lowball offer for this collection. You would be lucky to buy that single two pence blue for £100, not to mention a hundred usd for the entire collection.

clifhiker

Insured for $50,000.

Gosh people. Yes it is lowball. But that is the reality if they decide to sell it quickly. There are very few auction houses left around that specializing in stamps in US. I live in Tampa, and there is none here. The nearest one is on Orlando. Few years back I needed money, and brought them some of my stamps. They said to come back in December (6 month) for a Stamp Fair, for a life auction. I needed money quick, so I sold some on ebay.

The other issue here, nobody can say for sure that the stamps are in good condition judging by the scans. That will be the mentality if listed on ebay as is.

There are a good many auction houses that specialize in stamps. The SAN calender is jam packed.

Most of them along east coast, may be west coast, and mainly north east. If you live somewhere like Arkansas, good luck finding good one.

To put this discussion to rest. The best approach for your friend, in my opinion, would be to find nearby stamp club, and go there with her siblings. I'm sure for a small fee, someone there would give them an accurate sale price of the collection as is. It is quite small after all.

@ DANKO

$100 is just silly, and in NO way setting it right for the OP... even $300 is too low for a wholesale.

the norwegian number 1 with a sotn cancellation could sell for $300 at an auction on a good day.
swedish classics are difficult to come by and a lot still pay for 2 missing corners. the swedish Lösen are all with good - decent centering which is a plusside. and then there are quite a few decent cancellation on the 1 shilling with would be desireable to both a specialized collector and someone who would split it up.

anything below $1000 seems like an obvious scam.

Who said anything about selling quickly? The OP explained what and why he was looking for a 'fair value' so as to buy his siblings out. And here you come all curmudgeonly stomping around saying the collection is essentially worthless if you try to sell it etc etc etc. Why so bitter and negative? Or in other words .. stop digging.

Golden Valley Stamp Auctions in Minneapolis
Sterling Kingbrooke in Brighton Michigan

two that I use

neither is on the east/west coast. Well attended and good offerings. The last Sterling Kingbrooke I attended would have likely brought a nice return for the collection in question whether sold individually or as a lot, or in some combination.

First let me thank everyone for their replies

Ken, I think I will take your advice and take the albums down to Dutch Country Auctions. I make my way down there occasionally on a birdwatching outing. I might try my local Trenton Stamp and Coin first or maybe even go into NYC to see what one of the bigger auction houses has to say.

Clifhiker, I have dealt with Golden Valley, mostly as a buyer, but a couple of times as a seller. I received a little over 5% on a very eclectic lot, and between 10-15% on a few individual items. They don't seem to realize the prices that can be had on ebay, but then they also do all the work.

Don, I am still not sure if you are saying most of the stamps have been toned or discolored, but as I read your other posts I recognize your wisdom

Danko, I never really believed your $100 response and I am not sure you do either. I have seen $40,000 collections sold on ebay for $3000+ if memory serves, which it often doesn't. I think your collection must have a much higher value than you currently believe

Dutch Country website;

https://dutchcountryauctions.com/

They have a nice Stamp Store where they sell supplies, boxes of stamps and lots of interesting material. If you go you should probably make an appointment.

The stamps look fine to me. I think there is probably significant value, far more than the a few hundred dollars. Obviously a 'dealer' perspective would not include investing time in remounting into Vario pages but if the owner has the time I think that unmounting them form the ugly pages would be beneficial. More importantly, it would allow a person to become intimate with each stamp and evaluate its condition.
Don