Newbie With A Huge Early Postcard Collection

John, to be honest, I have had these cards for over 10 years. They were a dumpster find. I don't have any attachment to them, as I have other "collections" ranging from old cars and trucks... to antique lamps, early 1900's electric fans, bicycles, on and on. My goal is to sell them, but not necessarily on ebay, not in a hurry and preferably to collectors such as yourself and why I came here, but again, I have no idea what I have, it's really that simple. I'm 72, retired from Cornell University, and my collecting has narrowed to a few subjects at my age, for a number of reasons. I do think I might have some nice cards that may be out of the ordinary and would love to see them in the hands of those who appreciate them. I also love to learn about what I have for the sake of learning, as one is never too old to do that. In the last few weeks, I decided to look into this hobby and so far, know a lot more than I did, but far less than I would like. I'm reading all I can, where I can about this subject, but find it a daunting task to say the least. I guess it's up to you all, on what you are willing to do as far as educating me, and I am willing to deal with anyone who is interested, and if I can fill a void in someone's collection, that would be wonderful for us both....so in a long-winded reply, there you have it. If I need to mine some other site, please feel free to direct me, and thanks for any assistance, no matter what. Don

I notice in the first batch you posted there is a star MOB cancel. I'd be interested in seeing a close-up front/back of that one.

I have heard (and do not doubt) that philately has the most voluminous literature of any collecting hobby. Thus most collectors tend to specialize. The literature does not cover everything - especially in the realm of postal history.

The fastest way to move them is to sell them as a group to a dealer or advanced collector. Conversely, the way to obtain the best return takes time and most likely involves ebay as individual items or small lots. I see two broad ebay selling philosophies. The first is using ebay as a net-price site, which involves having the knowledge to set approximate values, typical of buy-it-now listings. The second is using ebay as an auction site. Success at either takes quality illustrations and descriptions. Setting a retail value/price on postal history can be challenging for veteran collectors.

If I had the Chicago machine to sell, I do not know its true retail value, but would have no problem with:
Title: 1894 Washington DC experimental Barry machine cancel on UX9
Description: Type EX-2b expeimental Barry machine cancel dated August 24, 1894 on postal card. Known used August 13 to Sept 24, 1894 before being moved to Chicago Illinois. Unusual to have the word "mailed" as part of the cancel.
And a start price at $5, knowing the keywords will get the views and the modest start will get the bids. (I really would expect it to bring about $50, but who knows.)
Bottom line, with a quality description, I have never been afraid to offer something I didn't know the value of.

I have an enormous soft spot for those postcards with advertising on the reverse.

Little slivers of history in and of themselves.

Thanks for the continued replies. After that "warning" I received, needless to say, I was a bit humbled and caught flatfooted somewhat, as to how to proceed. I'm being as honest as I can and never intended to break any rules, and yet, after reading the said rules, realized I did. As I have stated, my quest was and is to, in some capacity, educate myself on just what I have, value and or, historically. Again, it's a HUGE collection from a narrow time frame 1870's to the 1910's, generally speaking. I'm not sure I want to offer them on ebay, blindly. I suppose a low starting bid and let the bidders decide is one way. My last post above is what I'd rather do and that's a chance to have them end up in good folks here hands, one way or another. If that's taboo as the rules state, and I could be confused, as my age, that's easy, then so be it. I would still, like to receive some guidance in some form, and why I came here in the first place. I hope this rambling makes sense.

GregAlex......here is a close up of that card, front and back.

Thanks for posting that! It is not only unusual to see a MOB (Money Order Business) hand stamp used to cancel this card (which was against regulations), the date slug was inserted upside down! Quite an interesting card.

What 'warning' have you received?
Don

"What 'warning' have you received?" Second post above

*** Edited by Staff - Please review the rules that you agreed to when you registered. ***

So I read the rules.......thought I was breaking them. I did notice it was posted by someone from Hong Kong with only 60 posts. Maybe a delf appointed mod?

Here are some examples of advertising cards in the collection front and backs:

This last card was an oddball.....no writing on the front, pre-printed on the back with a lot scribbled out in pencil. Strange.

You have not broken any rules, nor was that message meant for you, nor are there any 'self appointed' Mods.

1. The message was for member anilkhemlani, attached to his post, and meant for him. He was soliciting to buy from you and the rules state that no one can buy/sell/trade until they have 50+ posts. As an existing member, he should know this and know that you, as a new member, could not act on his post.

2. There are two Mods here, myself and Kirk. We are both volunteers here and have been for a decade. We dedicate our time to help this community and to philately. Bobby1313 is the forum owner. The three of us are the only ones who have the ability to edit all posts.

Don

Thank you Don, for clearing that up. Being new here, I had no clue what was going on.

Don

So Don, can I ask the members on what their opinion would be on say a particular cards value? That would help a great deal if I list it somewhere else. Thanks,

Don