New Guy Trying To Sort Through Grandpa's Collection

Hey all!

I wanted to introduce myself as I just picked up my grandfather's lifelong stamp (and coin) collection/obsession. I must say I am overwhelmed! It is amazing! I have boxes and boxes. He has been collecting since the 20's and I am amazed at some of the items he has in just my brief bit of online research. I even have tons of his correspondence with stamp dealers from around the world going back to pre-WW2 as well as envelopes etc from fellow collectors. No one genre in particular but definitely a huge interest in Canada and Great Britain and the commonwealth although there is far more than that.

Anyhow, I hope to start posting pics soon and organizing. This will take years I think! I am a collector of many things but now stamps will be a big part of my life I think... Haha! Thanks Grandpa!!!

Okay... Will try and post a few pics of a drop in the bucket. Would love any feedback!

This is what I am sorting through...

Beautiful stamps! I'm sure some are valuable but, like you I inherited stamps and consider the "value" being able to connect and 'hang out' with folks I never had a chance to meet. *have fun*!

Nice pictures so far. It looks like some very good early Canada and some nice Great Britain mixed in. Both are in my areas of collecting interest, but I'm partial to Australia. Keep them coming.

It looks like most are hinged (mounted) on home made pages, which is just fine. Some are in clear plastic mounts, which will need to be removed someday. You'll have to start practicing good handling skills (tongs, etc.) so be sure to be very careful with those pages and stamps at first.

It's unfortunate that Grandpa didn't leave some sort of inventory list or a note on the more valuable items. Those are the ones that you want to take extra care of right now. (Canada 50-59, 98-103, and 155 to 159, in particular.)

Hi Partime!

Thanks for that bit of feedback. Being "hinged"... I am not sure if it matters or not, but they are not stuck down completely, but it looks like they are just lightly attached by a tiny bit of paper in a little spot and lift off the page with the slightest touch (using tweezers). Is that a concern?

I have tons of Australian stamps in the collection as well. I will post more pics as I go!

Lightly attached is perfect. Once you get the skills, you can easily remove them and put into a different book (if you want). Just be careful turning pages and such right now. I can't wait to see some Australia ... love the early Kangaroos and King George V.

Definitely some very nice Canada indeed. I went through the same process with my grandfather's inherited collection a couple years ago and it is a lot of fun (and overwhelming at first!). Welcome to the forum and feel free to ask questions, and people will help you out.

Some Australia...

@ Partime: Huh?

HAB, four things:
1. Welcome to SCF.
2. Thanks for sharing your photos. I'm more than slightly jealous.
3. Nice table. Perfect size for stamps. Is it solid wood?
4. What is that orange/black photo album? Does it say "MINT-O"?

I believe that these are contained in clear Crystal Mounts. They have a tendency to damage perf tips. There is also glue residue that is quite close at the edges. I usually remove these (especially the higher valued items) and remount in a different style, or put them in a nice stock book.

Thanks, Partime. I see it now.

Rmatossian - The album's are brand new and say Mult-o

The table is solid wood lol

Thanks for the welcome!