More on Postage Stamp Values (Part II)
Some amount of philatelic knowledge and experience is required before anyone can determine the value of a vintage or modern postage stamp. Sometimes it's just a matter of looking a stamp up in a stamp catalog, but in many cases stamps that are valuable look almost identical to stamps that have only the minimum value. They can be so similar that even experienced stamp collectors and stamp dealers must sometimes send a stamp to a stamp expertizing service before they can be sure about the identity and value of a stamp.
There are a few things that anyone who inherits an old stamp collection - or even just a box of loose stamps - should realize.
Most importantly, know that although there certainly are exceptions, the stamps you inherit probably won't be valuable enough to pay for a new car, put your child through college or buy a new house. If you start out with this assumption and later find out otherwise, that the stamps do have a great deal of value, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
You should know that no one, whether they're an experienced stamp dealer, stamp collector or anyone else, will be able to tell you the value of your stamps without seeing them. You should be willing to compensate the person who reviews your stamps, at least in some small way. They'll spend a lot of time looking at your stamps and paying them something for their time and knowledge is only fair. A stamp dealer who evaluates your stamps should be looked at in the same way as any other professional who gives informed opinions.
If it turns out that your stamps don't have much value, don't despair. They just might provide you with a relaxing and challenging new hobby that you can enjoy for years to come.
Showing posts with label old stamps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old stamps. Show all posts
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Postage Stamp Values - Part I
We get several emails every week asking how much a particular stamp is worth. Sometimes the person doesn't know much about it - not even what country it's from - but others know at least something about the stamp and usually describe it by country, denomination and color. The person who knows the stamp's specific Scott Catalog number is much more rare. Many of the people sending these inquiries aren't able to send a scan of the stamp because they don't have a scanner and/or don't know how to send a picture as an email attachment. Unfortunately, there's just not much we can say about a stamp's value if we don't know which stamp it is and we can't see its condition. But that's another story.
The value of old postage stamps is a frequent question and will probably never go away. The question almost always comes up when someone inherits or finds a relative's collection and naturally wants to know if the stamps are worth anything. The answer, much to many peoples' surprise, is often "probably not a lot."
Valuable vintage stamps are in many peoples' stamp collections, and more of them are found around the world regularly. But just because a stamp is old doesn't mean it's rare, and it doesn't mean it's valuable. As a matter of fact, most of the time, it's not.
If a stamp is quite common, it doesn't matter how old it is - if it's common it won't be rare (obviously) and it won't be valuable. Not even if it's 150 years old. In other words, age ALONE is not relevant to the value of a stamp. The only reason there are more old valuable stamps than modern valuable stamps is because some older stamps are more scarce: over time stamps can easily be damaged or lost, so fewer of these older stamps are likely to still be around.
Like everything else in the world, the value of any postage stamp is determined by supply and demand. If a stamp is rare and there is a high demand for it, it will be valuable, whether it is old or not. But most stamps, even those from more than 100 years ago, were issued in enough numbers that they will never be scarce. In truth, most valuable stamps are either scarce varieties or stamps that were issued in smaller quantities because of low anticipated demand, such as the high value stamps of many stamp sets.
We'll post more on this important stamp collecting subject tomorrow!
We get several emails every week asking how much a particular stamp is worth. Sometimes the person doesn't know much about it - not even what country it's from - but others know at least something about the stamp and usually describe it by country, denomination and color. The person who knows the stamp's specific Scott Catalog number is much more rare. Many of the people sending these inquiries aren't able to send a scan of the stamp because they don't have a scanner and/or don't know how to send a picture as an email attachment. Unfortunately, there's just not much we can say about a stamp's value if we don't know which stamp it is and we can't see its condition. But that's another story.
The value of old postage stamps is a frequent question and will probably never go away. The question almost always comes up when someone inherits or finds a relative's collection and naturally wants to know if the stamps are worth anything. The answer, much to many peoples' surprise, is often "probably not a lot."
Valuable vintage stamps are in many peoples' stamp collections, and more of them are found around the world regularly. But just because a stamp is old doesn't mean it's rare, and it doesn't mean it's valuable. As a matter of fact, most of the time, it's not.
If a stamp is quite common, it doesn't matter how old it is - if it's common it won't be rare (obviously) and it won't be valuable. Not even if it's 150 years old. In other words, age ALONE is not relevant to the value of a stamp. The only reason there are more old valuable stamps than modern valuable stamps is because some older stamps are more scarce: over time stamps can easily be damaged or lost, so fewer of these older stamps are likely to still be around.
Like everything else in the world, the value of any postage stamp is determined by supply and demand. If a stamp is rare and there is a high demand for it, it will be valuable, whether it is old or not. But most stamps, even those from more than 100 years ago, were issued in enough numbers that they will never be scarce. In truth, most valuable stamps are either scarce varieties or stamps that were issued in smaller quantities because of low anticipated demand, such as the high value stamps of many stamp sets.
We'll post more on this important stamp collecting subject tomorrow!
Sunday, March 08, 2009
What are Classic Stamps?
Classic stamps are postage stamps that are considered distinctive by philatelists. The term is often reserved for stamps that were printed during the early years of stamp production, before about 1870. But the definition of "classic stamps" has never truly been established, and it can mean different things to different people. Some people include stamps issued before 1900 or so, although not all stamps issued before then can be considered "classic." Other people expand the definition even more and include at least some stamps that were printed up to 1910 or so.
What constitutes a classic stamp can also vary by country. For example, Canada produced some truly beautiful stamps in the 1930s, with stellar designs and exquisite engraving. Many stamp collectors would consider those stamps to be classic stamps even though they were printed after the period that's typically included in the definition. By contrast, stamps of the United States from the same period are only rarely considered to be classic stamps.
So to sum up, the definition of "classic stamps" is fluid and depends upon the eye of the beholder.
Classic stamps are postage stamps that are considered distinctive by philatelists. The term is often reserved for stamps that were printed during the early years of stamp production, before about 1870. But the definition of "classic stamps" has never truly been established, and it can mean different things to different people. Some people include stamps issued before 1900 or so, although not all stamps issued before then can be considered "classic." Other people expand the definition even more and include at least some stamps that were printed up to 1910 or so.
What constitutes a classic stamp can also vary by country. For example, Canada produced some truly beautiful stamps in the 1930s, with stellar designs and exquisite engraving. Many stamp collectors would consider those stamps to be classic stamps even though they were printed after the period that's typically included in the definition. By contrast, stamps of the United States from the same period are only rarely considered to be classic stamps.
So to sum up, the definition of "classic stamps" is fluid and depends upon the eye of the beholder.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
How to Find Vintage Stamps Online
Vintage stamps provide much enjoyment to many stamp collectors. Many online stamp shops, such as The Stamp People, sell vintage stamps from many different countries. It's easier than you might think to find vintage stamps online, and in some ways finding old stamps is easier than finding modern stamps - older stamps tend to have more value than modern stamps, so online stamp dealers are more likely to post vintage stamps for sale than modern stamps.
Any collector of vintage or old stamps knows that while some are quite scarce and valuable, others are very common and inexpensive. But stamp collecting isn't just for investment purposes: many people like to collect even the cheaper vintage stamps, covers and postcards because of their historic interest.
In addition to finding an online stamp shop that is willing to work with you to build your collection, one of the best ways to find vintage stamps online is to join a stamp forum or online community where you can discuss your needs and wants with other stamp collectors. They may be able to help you identify old stamps that you just can't figure out, and they may be willing to trade stamps with you. Online stamp auctions can be another good way to find vintage stamps, but make sure you read all the details so you don't get hit with any surprise fees or condition problems.
You can also buy assortments of stamps - either single country (such as US stamp mixtures) or worldwide stamp mixes. Generally available for wholesale prices (often only a penny or two per stamp) at an online stamp shop like The Stamp People, they can be an extremely inexpensive way to add vintage stamps to your stamp collection.
Stamp shows also provide opportunities to purchase vintage stamps and are held frequently in different locations. Drop into a stamp show if there's one convenient to you. Just be aware that you'll likely pay more than you would online.
Vintage stamps provide much enjoyment to many stamp collectors. Many online stamp shops, such as The Stamp People, sell vintage stamps from many different countries. It's easier than you might think to find vintage stamps online, and in some ways finding old stamps is easier than finding modern stamps - older stamps tend to have more value than modern stamps, so online stamp dealers are more likely to post vintage stamps for sale than modern stamps.
Any collector of vintage or old stamps knows that while some are quite scarce and valuable, others are very common and inexpensive. But stamp collecting isn't just for investment purposes: many people like to collect even the cheaper vintage stamps, covers and postcards because of their historic interest.
In addition to finding an online stamp shop that is willing to work with you to build your collection, one of the best ways to find vintage stamps online is to join a stamp forum or online community where you can discuss your needs and wants with other stamp collectors. They may be able to help you identify old stamps that you just can't figure out, and they may be willing to trade stamps with you. Online stamp auctions can be another good way to find vintage stamps, but make sure you read all the details so you don't get hit with any surprise fees or condition problems.
You can also buy assortments of stamps - either single country (such as US stamp mixtures) or worldwide stamp mixes. Generally available for wholesale prices (often only a penny or two per stamp) at an online stamp shop like The Stamp People, they can be an extremely inexpensive way to add vintage stamps to your stamp collection.
Stamp shows also provide opportunities to purchase vintage stamps and are held frequently in different locations. Drop into a stamp show if there's one convenient to you. Just be aware that you'll likely pay more than you would online.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Vintage Stamps (continued)
We left off at "what is a vintage stamp?" The general consensus is, a vintage stamp is a postage stamp that's more than [x] number of years old, but the meaning of "x" (how many years back we should go) is up for some debate.
Our personal feeling is that a stamp isn't a vintage stamp until it's at least 70 or 80 years old. Many stamp collectors and stamp dealers agree with us, but a few do not.
But is it important? Is there some inherent value in being a vintage stamp?
Many vintage stamps are valuable. But just because a stamp is a vintage stamp does not automatically mean it's also a valuable stamp. We could give you hundreds of different examples of stamps that are more than 100 years old, but because so many were printed and still survive today, they aren't worth more than 5 or 10 cents.
In the end, a stamp has a better chance of being valuable if it's vintage, but that's certainly no guarantee. And it works the other way too - many recent stamps have little value because they're so easy to find, but some recent stamps buck this trend and are fairly pricey. So keep in mind that there is always more than one factor at play in the value of a particular stamp - condition, scarcity, and age.
We left off at "what is a vintage stamp?" The general consensus is, a vintage stamp is a postage stamp that's more than [x] number of years old, but the meaning of "x" (how many years back we should go) is up for some debate.
Our personal feeling is that a stamp isn't a vintage stamp until it's at least 70 or 80 years old. Many stamp collectors and stamp dealers agree with us, but a few do not.
But is it important? Is there some inherent value in being a vintage stamp?
Many vintage stamps are valuable. But just because a stamp is a vintage stamp does not automatically mean it's also a valuable stamp. We could give you hundreds of different examples of stamps that are more than 100 years old, but because so many were printed and still survive today, they aren't worth more than 5 or 10 cents.
In the end, a stamp has a better chance of being valuable if it's vintage, but that's certainly no guarantee. And it works the other way too - many recent stamps have little value because they're so easy to find, but some recent stamps buck this trend and are fairly pricey. So keep in mind that there is always more than one factor at play in the value of a particular stamp - condition, scarcity, and age.
Friday, July 04, 2008
What is a vintage stamp? (the first of several parts of this somewhat-complex discussion)
All stamp collectors want to acquire vintage stamps - well, most of us, anyway. That's where the money is, right? Some people think that all vintage stamps are valuable just because of their age.
Not necessarily.
There is no clearcut definition of what constitutes a "vintage" stamp.
We get emails all the time from people who collected stamps when they were a kid and now want to sell them. And from people who inherited an old stamp collection from a parent or grandparent and want to sell it. And also from people who have a handful of stamps from the 1960s or 1970s. Almost all of them say that they want to sell their "rare and valuable vintage stamps."
They are shocked when we tell them that a stamp produced in 1970 (for example) is not "vintage" and is almost certainly not "valuable." Although it's now 38 years old - and probably older than some of the senders of these emails - a stamp printed in 1970 is actually fairly "young" or "recent" in the stamp world. On top of that, many stamps from the 1950s or so forward have been printed in such huge quantities (billions of the same stamp in many cases) that it's impossible to consider them to be "rare." Don't forget, there are several factors involved in the price of any specific stamp:
Definitions of "vintage stamp" vary, but we would hesitate to consider any stamp printed later than 1925 or 1930 to be "vintage." Old, yes, but vintage, no.
to be continued ....
All stamp collectors want to acquire vintage stamps - well, most of us, anyway. That's where the money is, right? Some people think that all vintage stamps are valuable just because of their age.
Not necessarily.
There is no clearcut definition of what constitutes a "vintage" stamp.
We get emails all the time from people who collected stamps when they were a kid and now want to sell them. And from people who inherited an old stamp collection from a parent or grandparent and want to sell it. And also from people who have a handful of stamps from the 1960s or 1970s. Almost all of them say that they want to sell their "rare and valuable vintage stamps."
They are shocked when we tell them that a stamp produced in 1970 (for example) is not "vintage" and is almost certainly not "valuable." Although it's now 38 years old - and probably older than some of the senders of these emails - a stamp printed in 1970 is actually fairly "young" or "recent" in the stamp world. On top of that, many stamps from the 1950s or so forward have been printed in such huge quantities (billions of the same stamp in many cases) that it's impossible to consider them to be "rare." Don't forget, there are several factors involved in the price of any specific stamp:
- condition,
- condition (yes, I know I repeated it)
- scarcity / rarity
- subject matter (this has much more significance for collectors of topical or thematic stamps than to country collectors)
- condition (again)
- age (and by that, I don't mean 20 or 30 years old)
Definitions of "vintage stamp" vary, but we would hesitate to consider any stamp printed later than 1925 or 1930 to be "vintage." Old, yes, but vintage, no.
to be continued ....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)