Evaluating Philatelic Material For Sale

I have just received my Webb's 8th Edition.
(Congratulations and many thanks to editors Walton and Covert.)
A note in the Preface caught my eye:

"When calculating the catalogue value of material to be sold, we suggest adding only those items priced at $20 or more, rather than padding the total with large numbers of very common items of much less interest to prospective buyers."

I wonder if that advice might apply to all philatelic material.
That would rule out most items issued since the year of my birth!

The price of newer material definetly speaks volumes to the amount of it out there. Also the sheer volume of common older material still available.

A typical buyer's technique, somewhat on the lazy side. I'd go down to $3-5 catalog items myself. Then the cheapest stamps can often be figured with a blanket amount, which these days will not even be close to face value. If selling a collection, it doesn't hurt to post a total catalog value for everything, page by page and run a total. Still, the value in real money is going to be in any better items.

That is probably reasonable advice if you are selling to a dealer. I guess they specifically refer to Canadian stamps and modern ones as well. Other countries may be different but I doubt it.

For example on ebay at the moment Dollar-stamps are offering lots like this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canada-M...OSw6HtdSKuy5
for 60% of face value. Those 6 lots have just ended and I do not think any sold even at that discount

If that is what a seller wants I cannot see any dealer buying it. I am sure that there are many exceptions but as a general rule for collections of single stamps and sets it is probably a good guide.

When you get a package from a dealer through the post covered in Canadian commems and definitives from the 70s and 80s remember that these have been purchased for postage at huge discounts from face let alone from catalogue value such as that lot above.

Have a look at ebay for auction lots - not "buy it now" lots - which actually sell and you will get some idea of what the market is like and that is selling to collectors !!.

But remember this is all very general

AQ