re: Placing a value on a stamp?

What catalog are you using? Most catalogs have an introduction to explain how stamps are listed and valued. Scott catalogs, for example, have several pages that discuss this, and shows pictures to illustrate various stamp conditions.

Also, remember that minimum catalog value is intended to provide a price from which a dealer might be able to recover the cost of selling such a stamp. In other words, it is presumed that it is a cost recovery, meaning that the stamp has very little (if any) collector value.

Chris is correct when he states that packets of common stamps are not worth their sum in catalog value. They are worth far less than the total, usually just a few pennies for each stamp.

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cdj1122

re: Placing a value on a stamp?

" ... Does that mean my stamps are worth at least the lowest value listed? ..."

One of the most difficult things to explain to newer collectors is that the listings published in the catalogs are comparative values. For instance in a set of twenty fairly common stamps fifteen may be listed at a minimal value, currently about 25¢. Perhaps two or three may be listed at 50¢, one at $1.00 and let's say one at $3.75 The entire set may earn a $6.35 listing.

The 25¢ listing is , in theory, a dealer might charge if you came into the shop to purchase that single stamp. it is the total of his operating expenses, his labor, plus his desired profit. The 50¢ stamps should be worth twice that minimal stamp and be slightly more difficult to acquire. The $1.00, four times as difficult to find. And the $3.75 some fifteen times as had to find. So the first thing learned is that rather than some empirical value the listings are comparative, between stamps and between contemporaneous sets.

Now it gets tricky, because that listing is for a specific condition based on;
" ...centering, quality of the impression, freshness of color, the state of the perforations or margins, condition of the gum (if mint), quality and type of cancellation, (if used), and the paper....." Different catalogs use slightly different criteria. That information is found in the introductions and instructions at the front of the catalog and should be a must read.
Faults such as thins, pencil marks or hinge remenents will also come into play and lower the value actual final
In the US dealers will generally expect to get approximately 50% of that catalog listing for the stamps in such a set, and may buy the same set from a collector for 10% - 15% when sold, bought or traded. Those percentages are totally arbitrary and may vary for higher value stamps, certain popular country's stamps and some popular topics. Also bulk purchases generally will be transferred based almost only on the values of the better examples with the common, minimal listed stamps along for the ride.
One thing to remember is that a thousand common stamps all listed in a catalog at 25¢ apiece with a total catalog "value" of $250.oo will probably not get a $10.oo bid in the auction.
Now if this doesn't confuse you more, I have missed my point. But after a little experience and some interaction it will strangely make sense, more or less.

All in all, your stamps are worth what a knowing buyer is willing to pay you, and that amount is only connected to the listing in a printed catalog by the thinnest thread woven of gossamer dreams and lofty expectations.

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