Postmarks and Stamp Values

The type of postmark that appears on a used stamp often affects its value to stamp collectors. In some cases the postmark is much more valuable than the stamp itself.

Two main factors dictate how the cancellation on a stamp will affect its value:

1. the overall appearance of the stamp and its postmark
2. the scarcity of the postmark

There are some other factors as well, and we'll talk about them in just a bit.

Postmark Appearance:

A nicely struck, well-centered, clearly legible circular datestamp cancel will appeal to the eyes of many collectorsl stamps with these postmarks will often have a higher value than if they'd been canceled in a less-appealing way.

But keep in mind that while some stamp collectors like to see postmarks that are "socked on the nose," other collectors prefer a cancellation that just barely touches the corner of a stamp.

As a general rule (although there are exceptions due to scarcity) a smudgy, blotchy, hard to read or heavy, overly intrusive postmark will detract from the value of a stamp.

Postmark Scarcity:

Cancellations from so-called "dead post offices" that no longer exist, or from railway post offices that were rarely used and only for a very short period of time, will in general increase the value of even a very common stamp.

Other Factors That Affect Stamp Values:

Sometimes the specific date shown on a postmark is (to the collector) of critical importance: the date may be one a collector is specifically seeking, such as a birthday or another date of great personal significance. Or that date may be useful to the philatelist trying to determine which printing a stamp is from. In either case a postmark bearing that specific date will make the stamp more valuable, at least to that person.

Similarly, a stamp collector may be willing to pay more for a stamp that bears a postmark from a specific town. Again, perhaps because it was where he or she was born, or currently lives, etc.