Need help with stamp collection valuation

Spartacus

I speak as a former Purchasing Manager for stamps in the Post Office.

This may not be a pleasant duty for you.

Most stamp collections are worth peanuts. Stamps before the sixties may have some value but if the collection was based on having stamps sent by the Philatelic Bureau in Edinburgh, as most are, then we are talking very low hundreds at the most.

The best bet is to call in at Spinks for a valuation the next time you are in London. They are honest and will give a realistic appraisal.

Buying stamps for a collection is easy but selling them often comes as a shock.

Stamps are an absorbing hobby but they are no investment.

Regards

Mick

This not by any means science, but a look round eBay may will reep you with plenty of information.

Those with no bids might not be worth a lot etc. There are literally thousands of listings for stamps, which in itself is quite telling.

Garyi,
I did have a look around the internet but as you so rightly point out there's an awful lot of Ebay results. It all felt a bit iffy hence the post for some help.

Mick,

Thanks for your reply. I understand what you are saying fully. I suspect that there is not much value in the collection but what I seek is an honest/trustworth/realistic source for the old lady. I will keep Spinks in mind. Thanks.

I may be off beam here but there used to be a stamp guy up near the Y theatre in Leicester



Near the corner of East St and Granby St. Might be long gone... Tend to agree with Mick thoough re values. My Dad got caught out by a company in Warwick selling stamps as an investment - only problem was it was their investment not his!

There are a few people listed here. Looks like my man might not be there anymore but there are a few listed who might be able to help.

Steve

Steve,

he is no longer there but he still trades in Leicester. Not someone I would use personally because he seems to have moved into memorabilia more than stamps for the reasons Mick states.

I sold my collection a few years ago and didn't get anywhere near what I thought I might get for tham. Unfortunately due to circumstances and a lack of space I could no longer hold on to them.

I used a guy called Tony Lester who is just outside of Rugby, he put it to auction for me and gave me a good honest service.

Email me for the details,

Regards

PB

What Mick said.
I inherited a British collection of mint stamps collected by my grandfather and my father,up to early '70s. A couple of hundred pre Elizabeth II.
Took it to Stanley Gibbons and they told me it was worthless.

Rockingdoc

You can always try ebay !

The sad truth is that most stamp collectors buy stamps brand new including special editions etc. They do so because they are guaranteed a full set with the right stampings etc.

However, when they come to sell 20 years later, they get a shock.

You can buy second hand dirt cheap if you are prepared to do the legwork.

That is the reality.

Regards

Mick

Thank you guys,

The lady is in her 80's and the stamps originally belonged to her father which possibly could make them more interesting, depending on their condition of course.
I knew of the guy in Leicester near the YMCA, he has moved further up London Road and as pointed out by PB seems more into memorabilia. I am however interested in getting the contact details of Tony Lester. I will drop you an email PB.

I think it's time to close this one off. Thank you again guys.