Liquidating A Large Collection.

Hi All,

I'm a new member and want to learn about how to best proceed.

My father started collecting stamps from a very early age, sometime in the late 1930s, I believe. I have two very large albums and hundreds of loose stamps of his. I unfortunately, do not share his enthusiasm in the hobby and need to know how to best proceed with liquidating the collection.

I assume there is a protocol for cataloging them and other things I should be aware of. Since I know next to nothing about this hobby, I thought this the best place to start. I appreciate any help you can offer. Kind regards!

Hello. There isn't really a "protocol" for cataloguing stamps. You can consult a stamp catalogue - Scott in the US - and get an idea of relative values of your stamps. Bear in mind that real world prices will generally be 10-20% of those in the catalogue. Could I suggest that you show some of the earlier material from the US and other countries here to establish the level of the collection? Good luck.

It takes a lot of knowledge to know what's worth cataloging. A dealer knows precisely which countries to check for value and which can be skipped. I'd advise you check around for local shows to get an opinion in person. They can flip through everything in 10 minutes or less and give you a relative estimate (take the average of all the estimates you get to get the actual number you could realistically get). Go from there

Maybe, you can share some pictures with us.

Two very large albums and hundreds of loose stamps could be two 32 or 64-page stock books and stamp pockets with stamps. That, often, are collections of stamps taken from mail received or stamp packets bought from a dealer for a few pennies.

On the other hand, it could be albums full of high-end stamps.

Experience learns many such collections have limited value. Collectors like to go through collections and catalogue their stamps. If it is a collection of stamps taken from mail, the odds are you will get a few tenners at most. Cataloguing takes a lot of time, as more valuable stamps often look like stamps that have no real monetary value. The odds to find such a valuable stamp are not high unless the owner bought them as such. The question then becomes whether it is worth your effort.

You should consider that the price you receive for a stamp is much lower than the price quoted in a catalogue. Also, the condition of stamps influences the price collectors are prepared to pay and even the way in which you can liquidate the collection.

Pictures allow some experienced people to tell you what type of collection you have at hand and what would be the best way to liquidate it.

If the albums are described, pictures of earlier stamps will give a good idea about the collection.

edit: see bold typeface

Please post some pictures of what you think might be the older material.

Is it just USA stamps or a world collection?

I would suggest using this forum's search engine to review past posts in the inherited stamps category. Your questions (posed by others) have been answered countless times in great detail and it can be helpful to see others experiences and how it was handled/turned out.

Thank you all for your considerate replies.

The albums are international stamps beginning from the late 1800 through the 1940s and on. There is some newer items as well...1941 WWII 50 year commemorative stamp set, some Christmas proofs...it appears to be quite a mixed bag! Much of the loose stuff is still on corners of envelopes. This evening, I will try to scan a few pages from the albums. I live in the Boise Idaho area and would be interested in meeting any dealers that may want to look at them. Any suggestions? Thank you again.

This will be interesting to see. Maybe intermediate collection or school boy collection. I think if it was advanced, the heirs would know.

This is the most true statement written on this forum.

Yes, correct. If your father was actively collecting, you would know if he was going to stamp shows, auctions, purchasing through other means, or if he was just gathering stamps from envelopes and buying small packets of different countries. In the first case, there may be some value ... in the second case, it is probably a starter's collection worth not too much. Good luck.

Also, if going to a stamp show for a quick estimate, don't just take the first offer. Ask someone else or go to another show and see how closely they match.

Feet if you are not sure that your dad was actively spending money on his stamps and/or going to stamp shows you may have other family members who do know. It might be worth asking them. I would also recommend if you are going to post any images here to start with the pages you mentioned that are from the late 19th century. A few images of those pages would greatly help the forum provide you with guidance.

Stamp your Feet, Do you have any children in the family that may want the collection? either as a keepsake or to start collecting? Based on the pictures this is not going to generate much of a return.

Agreed.

mostly cheap stamps and low coverage. need more pictures.

These should sell on ebay - take some decent representative pictures and do a rough count.