Inherited Collection Of 1963 And Older Stamps, International And Usa.

I have an extensive collection. Almost finished inventorying and grading with a stamp program. Still have RO-Z to inventory, current totals are quantity 9,531, Net Worth $13,802.14 which includes 1,351 USA. All stamps are 1963 and older. Where would be the best place to sell the collection when I am finished with inventory.
Thank You...

Hammernine, hard to answer your question as we do not have any idea of what you have. Of all US stamps for instance, only a very small percentage is worth selling at auction. You may really need for someone to look at your collection.
My best advice to you would be to find a stamp club in your area ( try www.stamps.org ) . Usually a collector is willing to give you an approximate idea'


Peter

No way of knowing. Common stamps (regardless of age) usually sell for 0-15% of catalog value depending on condition, and some you're lucky to even be able to give them away. Beyond that, impossible to suggest what to do with it all (besides Peter's suggestion) without some pictures. My impression after years of looking at and looking through large collections, is that you may very well be spending much more time on this that is worth doing (unless you plan on entering the hobby yourself), and should expect disappointment; many collections get sold almost literally by the pound. But, you never know. Several forum members buy and parse these collections on a regular basis, I'm sure they'll offer their own guidance.

Hammer, what do you mean by "net worth." How did you calculate this number? Using catalog values, or by what method?

Hammernine, do understand that the base price of 25 cents for one, ONE, 1, stamp is just for one stamp. That is covered in the introductory pages of most catalog. Two 25 cent stamps may sell for 35 cents together, 100 25 cent stamps should sell for perhaps $3.00 and 1000 25 cent stamps may run $15.00 dollars (or less).

Even quantities of stamps ranging from $1-$5 sell for steep discounts in groups. It is not much different for groups of $5-$100 stamps.

Once you have an inventory, I suggest you send it, the inventory, to a collection seller such as Kelleher and have them give you an idea of their interest in selling the it as a collection lot. Of course, you will pay a shipping cost and if it sells, a commission. After their report, you can then walk it into a local stamp show and see if a dealer there will buy it.

Edited for BOLDing and to say for my pricing example mentioned above, that is for a quantity of different stamps. 1000 25 cents stamps which are all the same might bring $1.50-$2.00 and that likely for an art project, not collecting.

As others have mentioned, it really depends upon the individual stamps and condition to determine the "saleable" value. ALL common stamps listed in the catalog may have a minimum value of 25c, but that is not anywhere near what you could expect to get for them. The 25c is a reference value for which you may expect to pay a dealer for that single stamp, since they have taken the time to identify and organize it for you to select for purchase.

In a collection or assortment, even if the stamps are all different, the minimum value stamps may sell for 1c or 0.1c each (or less) on average for the grouping. Most sellers on ebay and other venues may typically see 5% to 10% prices for some better catalog value stamps than the minimum value ones.

Dealers need to buy at a much lower percentage of catalog to be able to move material at 20-25% catalog (if that), and that is for sound condition material.

So, valuation (to sell) really depends upon what you have.

A description of how you are valuing them (for example, do you count any stamps with catalog value less than $1?) and condition would be helpful.

Pics are great to show so we can opine more usefully!

Thanks all, yes I understand there is not a lot of value in many stamps. Most of the stamps are valued at 5 to 19 cents depending on grade. I am using Easy stamp to catalog and value the stamps. I have found their values to be close on most stamps. There are some gems in the collection as you would expect with a collection this large. Once I have finished inventory then I can export to Excel and send to prospective buyers. I do not want to sell the stamps individually and realize what I might get for the collection is nowhere near the estimated value. Thought of giving to family or friends but young people now typically are not into collecting. Really would hate to throw it in the trash.

Hammernine - as you mention that there are some gems in the collection, they are what may primarily drive the marketability/value. I described the more common material value in terms of 1c or less, and the mid-grade material at 5-10% or maybe more (for the majority of material dealers trying to get even up to 20-25%).

What I didn't mention is that for lower to mid-range stamps, there is a market for very well-centered sound stamps, in which the value can be more. Also, for "gems", if they are in sound condition and well-centered, the value can be upward as well.

So, the decision may be whether to sell as a group, highlighting the "gems", or to split the stamps to single out some gems, and sell the rest as a group.

Great suggestions orstampman, thanks...