Inherited A Large Stamp Collection, Need Direction!

I recently inherited a very large vintage stamp collection. There are thousands and thousands of stamps in binders, envelopes, collector folders, etc. boxes and boxes of old stamps that are from around the world.I am looking to sell the collection as I have no interest in continuing my father-in-law's hobby. However, I have no idea where to get an assessment of value. I read it's best to hire a certified person who doesn't sell as to not create a conflict although the shear number of stamps in the collection would cost an arm and leg to get to a value. Can anyone please start me off in the right direction? I live on Long Island


*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***

It will be difficult if not impossible to find someone who does not sell to give you a number on your stamps. Personally, I think that an auction firm is the way to go since they make more money when they sell your stamps for more money.

On Long Island there is Weiss Auctions in Lynbrook. They have quite a few stamp auctions that usually produce good results.

https://www.weissauctions.com/

Dbrite111,

Why don't you post some representative pictures here, especially the older and more organized parts of the collection?

Some inherited collections can be valuable and auction worthy. Other collections can be run-of-the-mill without much market value and others (many) are just accumulations.

There are a lot of advanced collectors here. A few pictures would help to direct you how you might want to proceed.

Dan

Thank you both. It would be impossible to post a pic that would be representative of the collection and it is was too large. It is a daunting task to get this In order as I am not knowledgeable and this collection was built over a lifetime.

I appreciate the recommendation of the auction house I will see if they provide a service

I am unaware if this is in SCF "Stampsmarter"

" It would be impossible to post a pic that would be representative of the collection and it is was too large"

Sometimes just a few pics will provide good info. Try to pick some pages with older stamps in some of the binders. Value isn't just what stamps they are, but also what condition they are in.

Even posting a picture from a "fly on the wall" perspective would be useful to gauge the size, how stored, Albums, stock books, references, etc.

Being able to give you good disposition advice is likely to save you much time and effort. As others have said, posting 8-10 images will give everyone the best opportunity to assist you in choosing how best to disposition. Other helpful information would be how much was your father-in-law invested. Huge amounts of stamps is not a good indication of value, many stamps are worth less then a penny. On the other hand, sometimes a single stamp can be valuable.
Don

Look for stamps, that would be encased in clear sleeves on the pages. These would tend to be the more valuable ones, as you are giving them added protection in the printed stamp album.

If you buy 100 stamps unmounted at EUR 50 and you use hinges to put them in the album, your savings on hinges my be less than the loss in value of the stamps. A 19th-century used stamp of considerable value may still be stuck in the album using a hinge. Assuming hingeless mounts point at where the value is in the album may result in pics of African wallpapers whilst missing out on a Blue Mauritius.

It's advisable to get more than 1 quote….. also I saw that you could not figure out the posting of pictures. I would look at it again and figure it out. Invaluable in getting help.

https://www.stampcommunity.org/tuto...g-images.asp