![]() We do want to help you (and your late loved one), but expectations need to be managed. Typically, anything designed to be a souvenir is not going to be worth anything. Often this material was sold to non-collectors in binders, with phony cancellations. First Day Covers are typically worthless, particulary Artcraft, Artmaster, and Fleetwood and presentation binders like the Postal Commemorative Society.We suggest donating these for youth stamp activities. Used US stamps after about 1930 (with a few exceptions) are worthless, and you will unlikely get an offer from a collector or dealer.Usually, the smaller the denomination, the less they are worth, because they are so much harder to use. You can find unused US stamps ready for mailing at any stamp show at various percentages of face value. Otherwise, expect a cash offer of less than 50% of face value. Mint United States stamps after the mid 1930s, with some exceptions, and sometimes even earlier, are worth face value - if you use them on mail.Unfortunately, some of the older archiving mounts actually damage stamps, by shrinking and then wrinkling the stamp, or leaving discolorations on the stamp. Stamps with creases, tears, parts missing, surface abrasions, heavy cancels, thin spots, missing perforations, etc, are uniformly worthless. In short, unless the collector was actively attending stamp shows and bidding in auctions, and spending serious money, do not expect the collection to be worth anything.įor United States stamps, here are some guidelines: Lifelong stamp collectors are shocked to find out how little their holdings are worth when they go to sell them. Every collector overvalues their collection, so anecdotal comments from your loved one about what his or her stamps were worth, can be very misleading. You would be surprised how many times a collector offers to look at a collection, determines it's basically worthless, and then is told he has no idea what he/she is talking about, or is treated rudely. ![]() About 90% of them in fact, so please don't shoot the messenger. Usually, the collections we see are of little value. The best way is to bring some or all of your material to the What's in Your Attic? table at the Southeastern Stamp Expo in January.Ī couple of caveats. We can often find someone in your area who will be willing to have a look at what you have, at a convenient time and place. It always starts with a cursory examination of what you have to determine if there is really anything of value. While opinions may differ, there are some commonalities among most sets of advice.
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