My Grandfather's Schaubek Sweden Stamp Album Nr. 806 S (1855-1960)

"I'm curious as to how you think Geoff is right about the auction price of 200 when earlier the four stamps or so you mentioned totaled over 200 lol"

Not the one who commented, but it would seem in the first case that he was referring to catalogue prices, and in the second to what the album would actually sell for. Stamps sell for only a fraction of their catalogue price, depending on condition, often less than half. Collections can sell for an even lower fraction of the total catalogue price of all the stamps, as little as 10-20% in some cases.

It's a very nice album and those are good stamps (hard to tell without examining them, of course). Why not hold onto it and perhaps add more? Make it a family heirloom and take care of it. I would do that . . . . or I'd be happy to take care of it for you, if that would help! For your family's sake, of course.

Ah, but catalogues and the real world are two different places ... which is good, otherwise I shouldn't have many stamps.

Same with me Geoff.

DrewM is right of course - trying to get full catalogue price on just about any stamp is a huge ask. As a rule, the stamp has to be above exceptional for this to happen.

Interesting thread, similar one that appears over and over about catalogue values and cash values. One that I learned many years ago, that it is a hobby and passtime and like all collectables have to be wanted by the buyer to have any value.

Funny how stamp collecting is somewhat similar to playing with monopoly money. Generalized stamp collectors, or accumulators add up catalogue values and think their stamps are worth thousands.

Then they put them up for sale and if they are lucky enough to find a buyer they get a small fraction of catalogue after commissions and expenses and end up with almost nothing. Partly because most collectors already hve many extras of the same and might obtain a couple he truly needs. Imagine trying to buy a loaf of bread and a quart of milk with monopoly money. It is funny.

If by chance you spent some real coin buying a few good items and wait 30 years or you happen upon a scarcity, congratulations; you won't win the lottery but you may be able to buy a few of the staples you need.

Fantasy catalog values and ebay marketing efforts both lead people into thinking that they are good buyers who are making wise purchases.

But the truth is that education and experience are what leads a person to make wise purchases.

Don