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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,729 |
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Valued Member
5 Posts |
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Hello all. I, like the many other posters in this forum, have inherited a stamp collection. The collection is mostly in binders filling two bankers boxes (about 16 binders). One of these binders looks to be every US stamp issued from 1966 to 1976 (all singles). Several others contains many block or plate blocks from a similar timeframe. I'm pretty sure that all of these are worth nothing but the value of using the stamps to send mail. One book contained over 40 pages of older stamps. Below are the first 4 pages and here's a link to all the pics. (Sorry, apparently a link to Google photos is not allowed) I don't know what to do with any of these. Neither I nor anyone in my family is interested in stamp collecting (or any type of collecting for that matter). I doubt it's worth my time to sell them. Are there places to donate them or, as a few people mentioned in another thread, should they just be tossed into the garbage. Thanks, Sam    
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Valued Member
Canada
276 Posts |
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No, do not toss these. There is some value in the ones you have shown. Since they are in mounts it would be worthwhile to inspect the backs and see if they have full gum (MNH) or if they have disturbed gum from hinges (MH).
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Valued Member
Switzerland
375 Posts |
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All the perforated stamps are unusually well centered. Whoever assembled these stamps took care of getting "good" specimens. Usually the centering is all over the place in a random general collection so this is rather unusual. The more modern mint stamps are likely postage but in today's centering craze, a good look for "perfect" examples might be worth the time. |
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Edited by drkohler - 04/25/2025 5:07 pm |
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Valued Member
5 Posts |
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Here's the back of the 0.05 labelled 326 (do these numbers mean something?). I looked at a few on different pages and they all look similar-ish).  |
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Valued Member
Canada
276 Posts |
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The numbers are the Scott Catalogue numbers identifying each stamp. To give you an example the page showing stamps 323-327 has a Mint catalogue value for the set of $305 in the 2021 catalogue. You would not get this price if you tried to sell them, but in case some of them are actually MNH and considering the centering, they are by no means worthless.
So the example of the gummed side that you have shown shows disturbance, but in general still a very nice example.
In my opinion I would take all the pages of the earlier USA stamps to a local club or stamp dealer and let them give you an estimate. You won't get rich, but you could get a few hundred dollars in your pocket.
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Valued Member
5 Posts |
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Valued Member

United Kingdom
87 Posts |
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Be very careful handling these stamps. Their value will be enormously reduced if you damage the perforations. A lot of practice is needed to avoid accidental damage, so I suggest not checking the gum but leaving them in their mounts.
I agree with PMStamp that you should contact a local stamp club or reputable dealer. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
3877 Posts |
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This is a better than typical group and not close to worthless.
The numbers for the 1st page should be 740-49, otherwise a quick glance says the others are probably correct.
Understand when you go to sell the modern part, expect to get less than 50% of face. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
628 Posts |
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Like others have said, there's some value here and the centering is nice. post more photos of the stamps if you have them. If the scott numbers are written under all of them, look for Scott 230-245 and #285-293. Whatever is there will help tell the story of this collection... |
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Moderator

United States
4798 Posts |
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Agree with all comments so far. There is some value in here, and a visit to a local dealer or stamp show will tell you something.
Just to add to the earlier reference to "toss them in the trash". This was recommended in a specific case because the stamps were so very common and in horrible condition such that no collectors would want them. However, they were still useful for art projects and perhaps to some beginners to fill in some spaces while waiting for better examples.
Good luck. |
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Valued Member
5 Posts |
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The only stamps below 300 are in that first picture. I would post a link to all 40 or so pages I took but that is not allowed. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
628 Posts |
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Any early US air mail stamps might be good to see if there are some. Look for Scott C1- C18 |
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Valued Member
United States
94 Posts |
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If you are not looking to make this your hobby to keep things simple I'll bet there is a stamp club somewhere close to you. The club I belong to has 4 local auctions a year for club members. If you would contact them I'll bet they would help you out by including them in one of their auctions. Stamp collectors and clubs are good people. |
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Valued Member
5 Posts |
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No C stamps. Most of the stamps from about 650-1300 seem to be in the book (almost all earlier numbers are in the 4 pictures I posted) although I did not check all of them. I randomly checked and everything from 800-899 were there including one $5 stamp. I plan to contact the local club and see what they say.  |
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Valued Member
United States
491 Posts |
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You've received great advice here -- I just want to add my 1 cent on the exceptional centering of your stamps. Definitely a well-above average collection in the pages you have shown us. That last page with the Presidents on (known as Prexies in the stamp world) has me salivating.  |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,729 |
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