How to sell your stamp collection as a novice

Mayfair Stamps — How to Sell a Stamp Collection as a Novice

How to sell a stamp collection as a novice

1. Step 1: Scan the collection to determine what you do know so you are ready to discuss the collection.
2. Step 2: Check out the variety of options for selling a collection.
3. Step 3: Research your choice to ensure you get the most out of your collection.

Step 1: In order to discuss your collection with a dealer, auction house, or collector, look it over and try to answer these basic questions.

Is it a U.S. or international collection?

If it is a U.S. collection, typically US stamps after 1940 are very common, with some exceptions. So if the collection is primarily US after 1940 you can often assume it has little value.

If you have an international collection you will have to do more digging. Modern issues from certain countries can have value. Some dealers specialize in particular countries or areas, so if the collection is limited to one country reaching out to a specialist in that area may be helpful.

How is it organized?

This allows you to communicate whether the stamps are in albums, glassines, envelopes, or loose. Oftentimes dealers are not interested in boxes of loose stamps because they are time consuming to look through and organize. Since most stamps have little value, it is typically not worthwhile for dealers to look through boxes of loose stamps.

Have the stamps been used or hinged?

You can look at the back of the stamps to see if the collection of stamps looks as if they have been hinged to an album. If they have been used you will see a postmark on the front. Stamp value is greatly affected by whether stamps have been used or hinged. If they appear unused and have never been hinged they will typically be more valuable.

What is the condition of the stamps?

The condition of stamps is very important in determining value. An expensive stamp with a major fault such as a tear, scrape, short perfs, or thin (scrape on back of stamp) will be a fraction of the catalogue value. So if the condition is poor it will be more difficult to sell and the value will be greatly reduced. Often dealers will not be interested in stamps in poor condition.

Is it a specialized collection?

As a novice this may be difficult to judge. However, try to see if you notice a pattern in the collection. Is the collection from a particular country and/or a limited time period?

You want to be able to communicate this to a dealer. Often collections that have been limited in scope and put together thoughtfully are easier for a dealer to sell than mixed collections and are more likely to hold rare pieces.

You now have some basic information collected:

• Is it a US or international collection?
• How is it organized?
• Have the stamps been used?
• What is the condition of the stamps?
• Is the collection specialized?

Your next step is to determine where you want to sell it.