Getting Stamp Collection Estimates From Dealers

First of all, many thanks for your feedback on this.

I created a rough inventory Excel file of the stamp collection and I already got one estimate from a dealer and another one this week. Around 40 albums, 22 FDC albums and 25 USPS commem stamp books. Unfortunately, I need to sell these as my brother wants 50% of the sale. The value is 10X less than what he anticipated, but he is delusional about this.

It's a really cool, vast collection of great stamps but nothing of high value.

Besides dealers, would it make sense to bring this to an upcoming show?

It sounds like the solution is to have him take them around to talk to the dealers.

That solution makes too much sense. He is a hoarder has been very difficult to put it kindly. I volunteered to figure out what was in the collection and what value it has - he would these in the basement and let them rot. In reality, I have really enjoyed the experience looking at these incredible stamps - not necessarily of high value, but they is some great beauty, history and intrique. I see why folks get into this hobby - not for investment but for the knowledge and getting a feel for what my father was enjoying and viewing things in life.

Unfortunately my issue is that I have limited space to place these and my hobby is more into numismatics.

Dealers will give the lowest price simply because buying as low as possible means making the most profit possible.

Auction is IMO the way to go if you don't want to deal with 10,000 ebay listings (insert headache emoji here). Auctions however are not quick money. It could take six months to a year to get paid from the time you consign. The upside of auctions is that the more they sell it for the more they make in commission from both buyer and seller.

It sounds as if your material in small quantities would not be an auction candidate but 40 albums changes the equation. Sounds like a good Rasdale lot.

What part of the country do you live in

Really rogdcam, you think, " 22 FDC albums and 25 USPS commem stamp books" would even make one lot at an auction, even a boxes and bins collection auction? Likewise at what price must a dealer pay to make a profit on material that will not sell? Strip the postage out of the books, sell at 60% face and recycle the books or donate to a kids program. The FDCs, good luck with that.

Lets be open about this, a good price for the OTHER material would be around 10-15% of catalog after commissions of course. Now if the collection includes some $750.00+ items, the percentages increase on those individual ones.

It took a long time to make the collection, top price can also require a long time selling.

No.

That is why I only mentioned the 40 albums. The rest would be collateral which is no different than any number of Rasdale or Kelleher auction lots.

I live in Iowa, USA - I wish I could send the Excel sheet to get a feel if this should be in an auction.

IMO your best bet is to take selected volumes (some of the more interesting volumes or the ones where you/he think more valuable items are contained), and bring them to a large stamp show and get multiple dealer opinions. Take cellphone pictures of as much as you can to also have if needed.

You'll quickly get an idea as to whether there is any interest or you get brushed off. I would recommend having your brother accompany you so he experiences this firsthand.

There are several large stamp shows upcoming here in the midwest within driving distance. Each of these shows will have 35+ stamp dealers:

INDYPEX - Indianapolis, IN. This coming weekend Oct. 6-8.

CHICAGOPEX - Itasca, IL (likely the closest to you). Nov. 17-19.

St. Louis Stamp Expo. March 22-24, 2024.

Especially for your benefit, if there is disagreement on value assessment between you and your brother, I think he needs to hear it with his own ears, not filtered through a third party.

Also, even if he is right with respect to catalog value or market value, there is a HUGE disparity between that and what your average collector will pay, let alone what a dealer will pay on a wholesale basis.

If I were closer (southern Illinois), I would offer to come by and give some recommendations. I think a larger regional show like the ones above would be a good starting point.

I will be at CHICAGOPEX from Thursday through Sunday should you decide to attend and you would like some advice before you interact with the dealers.

hmm - I may want to go to ChicagoPex. thanks so much for your advice, and I would be willing to send the Excel inventory list

This board is awesome and appreciate your feedback. I have a stamp club president looking at my collection on Wednesday to see what it may be worth. I had one dealer give an assessment that was a bit lower than I thought but not totally out of the question.

If you want to try selling to local stamp dealers without waiting for the next stamp show, you can find dealers by state here:

https://msdastamp.com/dealers-by-state

The OP says
"I need to sell these as my brother wants 50% of the sale. The value is 10X less than what he anticipated, but he is delusional about this."
And
"He is a hoarder" ... " he would [keep] these in the basement and let them rot"

So are you trying to sell them because he wants money or because you don't want HIM to hold on to them in poor storage? Not that your answer has any impact on how to realize the highest liquidation price.