How Can I Valuate And Sell My Significant Collection Of Olympic Stamps.

Hello,
With the passing of my late grandfather I have been left a significant collection of Olympic Stamps.
The date of the stamps stretches from the first modern Olympic games in 1896 up until today. I'm very keen on selling the 23 folder collection myself through ebay or Hipstamp (broken down into smaller lots), however my knowledge when it comes to valuating the different lots is limited.

How can I evaluate the lots somewhat precisely and should I just post them on ebay?

Hi,



The stamps you show here are the first set ever issued for the Olympic games. The value for this set according to the Michel catalogue is €1500 when the stamps are in mint hinged condition. I suppose that the value is a multiple of this when the condition is mint not hinged. On the other hand, the value will be approximately halved when the stamps are regummed.



You see that only with this issue I can give you three different prices based on the condition of the stamp and when you start to list them on ebay you need to know what the condition is.



Therefore, my advice would be to go to a local stamp club and ask for advice there. They can inspect the stamps in person.

An alternative is to go to an auction house and offer them for sale through an auction.

The last possibility is to go to a stamp dealer and see what he/she offers.

PS catalogue prices are not the prices you get when you sell your items on the market

For stamps with this level of value, it would be worth the extra fee to obtain a certificate from an authentication/grading service. Your local stamp club can recommend a service in your area. Or maybe one of the members here can provide their input. For buyers considering a purchase this big from a completely unknown seller, a reputable certificate will calm the fears of forgeries.

It seems to me if your grandfather actually put effort and money into his collection (apparent from this Greece set) then you'd do well on ebay perhaps. You could sell by country, by set (using a Scott or Michel catalog to identify--starting bid 20% of catalog value), by sport, by Olympic game... Topicals in general are on the decline but Olympics are still relatively popular, up there with animals and butterflies.

Welcome.

Here are just some of the pros and cons of selling a stamp collection as a collection vs. breaking it down into smaller pieces;

1. Selling as a Collection:
- Pros:
- Historical Context: Selling the entire collection preserves its historical context. It showcases the collector's journey, themes, and unique aspects.
- Emotional Value: Some buyers appreciate the story behind a complete collection. It may attract enthusiasts who value the continuity.
- Potential Rarity: Rare combinations or sets within the collection might be more valuable together than individually.
- Less Effort: Selling as a whole requires fewer transactions and less administrative work.

- Cons:
- Limited Audience: Finding a buyer for the entire collection can be challenging. It narrows down potential buyers.
- Higher Price Expectations: Buyers may expect a discount when purchasing the entire collection.
- Storage and Display: Storing and displaying a large collection can be cumbersome.
- Market Trends: If the market favors specific stamps or themes, selling as a whole might not maximize returns.

2. Breaking It Down into Smaller Pieces:
- Pros:
- Wider Audience: Individual stamps attract a broader range of buyers, including beginners and specialized collectors.
- Higher Demand: Popular stamps or specific themes may sell faster when offered individually.
- Customization: Buyers can choose stamps that align with their interests.
- Maximized Returns: Rare or valuable stamps can be priced individually for better returns.

- Cons:
- Time-Consuming: Listing and managing multiple transactions take time.
- Appraisal Complexity: Each stamp needs evaluation, which can be labor-intensive.
- Risk of Loss: If a valuable stamp is sold too early, the rest of the collection loses its context.
- Shipping and Handling: Multiple shipments and logistics can be cumbersome.

Don

If you don't collect stamps, the learning process involved in selling them on ebay will take a significant amount of your time. You also run the risk of having the lots cherry-picked and being left with a lot of lower value modern stamps. My inclination would be to approach an auction house, which will give you an idea of current sale prices.

No need to get certicates for the Greek set, by the way.

Really? What's a common rule of thumb for when certificates are beneficial and when they're not needed? I'm still a novice to all this. Would be happy to hear more from those with more experience.

Auction house. No cert.

Deprotinator - broadly, you don't need certs for stamps with a high CV unless they or their postmarks are known to have been forged or a higher value stamp is difficult to discern from a commoner one.

Broadly, I would agree. But it does require some nuance.

For some countries (Germany, Spain) or issues - as mentioned - (some used German inflation-era stamps, some Irish overprints on Seahorses), it would be advisable to buy older expensive stamps or sets only with a certificate. Also, for some other countries, it would be wise to buy valuable unmounted stamps with a certificate stating the gum is original, unless the dealer has a good reputation.

However, when buying collections through reputable auction houses, that will not always be demanded. I would be careful when buying from online auctions as they tend to be somewhat less careful. Consequently, if you sell through one of the reputable auction houses, there is no need to have the expensive stamps certified. The auction house will have its specialists that will look at those stamps anyway.

Yes, that is an expensive set if real. The set has known forgeries some of which are pretty good. Cert needed for max profit. Or you find out that you have a fake.