Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Login to Like
this post
You will have to learn what it is that you have. Worthless stamps, cheap stamps, moderate value stamps, rare stamps, a mixture of some or all? Depending on what you have will determine a course of action to take.
If you have a stamp dealer in your area, take it to the dealer and see what advice is offered (sometimes they do charge for their time). If there is a stamp club in your area, attend one of the meetings. Members there will probably be happy to offer you advice. Go to your library and see if they have a set of catalogs for you to look through.
Don't sell anything until you know what you have, and never let someone "cherry pick" from the collection.
Login to Like
this post
Michael is giving you great advice, and worth taking IF you're willing to do some work.
I suspect you're not. I wouldn't be if I weren't a stamp collector.
In a more expansive piece, Michael gives additional advice, and, below that, points you to Bob Ingraham. Please look at both of these.
https://stamporama.com/articles/display_article.php?id=RAzVsUyz8ryqE
and
https://stamporama.com/articles/display_article.php?id=RASd3nKLqcQNo
The one thing I might argue differently is, if you get no dealers interested, sell the collection here, on eBay, or other stamp auction sites. you can either sell it as 7000 SA stamps, or, better yet, the Mexico collection, the Guatemala collection, etc. the more images the better. If you don't have high expections, you'll likely come away happy. Please consider your postage costs when preparing to do this. And look at how sites showcase their collections for best results. It's more work, but the only way you're likely to get much out of it.
David
Login to Like
this post
I have not seen any collections for sale on this site. Am I correct?
Seems to be all single stamps. So I suppose doing country by country and stamp by stamp might be easiest.
Login to Like
this post
I suppose it all has to do with shipping costs. I could offer collections on Stamporama, but would not be able to sell anything because of the high international shipping costs. Perhaps if a collection would be taken apart (i.e. empty the stockbook or album), it might be worthwhile, but then again, you might as well concentrate on selling the more interesting items.
As far as the original question is concerned: the price you can get for such a collection depends on the effort you put into selling it. If you want to sell the lot as is, then the price will be relatively low. Advantage: you don't have to do any research or other work for it and accept that interesting items will not be noticed. Then again, that's what interests most buyers of such collections too.
Personally I would split this particular lot into 17 separate ones. 17 times a fairly low price is more than 1 low price for everything combined 
Of course one could try and find the gems in the collection and sell these at a good price, but that will leave you with 90% or more relatively uninteresting stamps that will be harder to sell.
Login to Like
this post
Collections and larger lots are often offered for sale in the classified ads section of the Discussion Board. That is often a better method to sell such items than using auctions or approval books.
Again, however, it will depend on what it is that you have as has been stated previously.
Login to Like
this post
I'll try to help you out with your original question here. I spent a couple of months working up some excess old stock to sell at a show and ended u not being able to go .. long story.
One of the items was an old Blue International Jr - looked typically lightly remaindered a couple of times with some countries strong and others non-existent to weak. Used copies were typically mixed condition and a heavy tongue applied to hinge many of the mint stamps. You would have to plan to soak the majority of both used and mint.. I put together a folder of 650 stamps on pages (Mexico-123, Nicaragua 140, Paraguay 160, and Salvador 240). I priced it at #20 a bit over 3 cents a stamp without looking any up...... a couple of typical pages below. All early mint were reprints as is typically the case..
Hope that helps
Login to Like
this post
I'm not sure this is the best thread to start with, but I'll rely on the moderator to decide this.
I'm interested to see that Mexico has quite a lot of stamps that refer in terms of their design to the pre-Columbian culture and heritage of the country. Similarly there are stamps of Peru that present Inca culture and heritage. This set me thinking - how many other Central and South American countries have issued stamps that acknowledge their early cultural heritage. Guatemala has lots of Resplendent Quetztals (did I spell that right, Phil?), but Venezuela seem to go big on 18th and 19th worthies, either military or political. Uruguay have delightful stamps with gauchos and cattle and there are lotsa llamas and even a vicuna. Elsewhere it looks like stamps reflect what was happening after the Europeans arrived, rather than before that.
I'm planning to open a little Latin American collection, just the stamps I like, and which seem to reflect the countries that issue them.
Any thoughts?
Strider - suffering in what we in UK call a heatwave. I even bought a straw hat today, feeling a bit self conscious. Not sure I'll be brave enough to wear it though!
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Strider, why not wear the straw hat...i saw on tv that people in the United Kingdom are very tolerent of others and what they do/wear. Ah the beatiful Quetzal...you spelled it correctly. If you are interested in Pre Colombian Latin America you might want to stick to the early conquests like Peru,and the area of Mexico,Guatmala and Honduras where the Inca,Mayans and Aztec built. We were on a cruise some years ago that stopped at some silly tourist market or you could take a tour of the Mayan temples at Tulum, i really enjoyed that.
Login to Like
this post
No one has to agree with me, but I have calculated a "reasonable" selling price for similar collections in the past. I count the number of stamps in the collection and multiple it by 3 cents per stamp. I then calculate the CV of the collection and multiply it by 10%. I have been dumbfounded that the two numbers almost always equal each other. So, $200. for the collection in question.
Login to Like
this post
What I have just stated has rekindled some memories.
I used to advertise that I buy stamp and post card collections, but stopped because it troubled me greatly to tell people how little their collections/accumulations were worth. I was repeatedly viewed as the "bad guy".
I recall vividly 2 collections that I evaluated and ended up telling the sellers that I just couldn't afford what they should sell for. I referred them elsewhere. That left them a little confused.
Login to Like
this post
The content of the collection is the key.
If the original owner was a serious collector who acquired pre 1900 stamps then there might be some good value. Condition will be a major factor.
If these are modern with many duplicates then the $200 or more mentioned might be correct.
As noted, find a local club and bring it to them for evaluation and go from there - preferably not a stamp dealer. Also as noted if there are valuable ones don't let someone just pick those out.
Selling complete collections split into countries on Stamporama might might be an option if there is some value in them.
Either way you need to do some homework
Login to Like
this post
I have had cases where i estimated a collection and the offer was rejected and then it was sold to a dealer for less than i offered. Odd, but they seem to prefer to sell to an experienced dealer for less than what a collector offered .
Login to Like
this post
Hello again
I've just been sorting my stamps of Bolivia and I've come across the Tiahuanacu issue. I see they were issued in 1960, having been printed earlier but not issued. So why were they not issued when printed? They're very striking and original. Were they thought too primitive? I see from SG that the overprints intended as air mail weren't issued because the words "Air mail" weren't included in the overprint.
But that doesn't explain why the whole issue was withheld.
Getting into new countries is endlessly interesting!
Strider
Login to Like
this post
Hello Strider,
I'd never seen this set until I saw your post and looked it up online.
They're quite strange designs. I wonder if the designer hoped for much finer printing and stronger colours?
The large 5,000 Bolivianos stamp looks amazing!
The example illustration in my SG Part 20 (South America) must be one of the worst in the catalogue!
Even with a magnifying glass I could just see the surcharge and very little else.
Nigel
Login to Like
this post
I just looked at Colnect, where it says these stamps were originally produced in 1925. Looking at the other issues of Bolivia (and of other South American countries too) around that time, the Tiahuanacu set was way ahead of its time in design terms. And the decision to issue them was made 35 years later. Would they have been printed in 1925 and stored somewhere?
Amazing!
Login to Like
this post
I've been using some of my time in lockdown getting my new Latin America collection going. It's been great fun! I'm not aiming at completeness, but at what looks interesting and affordable for me, mainly in the 1890 -1950 zone. I've looked at SG South and Central America, and noted the more interesting issues. There are lots! Railways and the big municipal buildings and the historical scenes - lots of battles. No wonder O'Higgins said South America was ungovernable! And a few paying homage to the pre-Columbian period. And nearly all countries produced issues recalling Queen Isabella's 500th (why was Ferdinand forgotten?).
Anyway, I've been steadily acquiring stuff from Ebay, delcampe and S2Go. I'm keeping an eye on the SOR approvals too, of course. I've now got some really nice stamps from each of the 20 mainland countries (think it's 20). Lots more to look for. And I've learned a lot about the history along the way.
I'm now hoping my latest purchases get through the postal systems without too much delay.
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
01:47:53pm
I have come into a 7,000+ stamps collection (mostly all used) covering 17 countries in S.A./L.A. Any suggestions on best way to get rid of this at a reasonable price? I am not a collector of any of these countries, so no idea as to possible price. Thanks for any assistance possible.
Login to Like
this post
04:49:41pm
re: South America & Latin America Collection
You will have to learn what it is that you have. Worthless stamps, cheap stamps, moderate value stamps, rare stamps, a mixture of some or all? Depending on what you have will determine a course of action to take.
If you have a stamp dealer in your area, take it to the dealer and see what advice is offered (sometimes they do charge for their time). If there is a stamp club in your area, attend one of the meetings. Members there will probably be happy to offer you advice. Go to your library and see if they have a set of catalogs for you to look through.
Don't sell anything until you know what you have, and never let someone "cherry pick" from the collection.
Login to Like
this post
re: South America & Latin America Collection
Michael is giving you great advice, and worth taking IF you're willing to do some work.
I suspect you're not. I wouldn't be if I weren't a stamp collector.
In a more expansive piece, Michael gives additional advice, and, below that, points you to Bob Ingraham. Please look at both of these.
https://stamporama.com/articles/display_article.php?id=RAzVsUyz8ryqE
and
https://stamporama.com/articles/display_article.php?id=RASd3nKLqcQNo
The one thing I might argue differently is, if you get no dealers interested, sell the collection here, on eBay, or other stamp auction sites. you can either sell it as 7000 SA stamps, or, better yet, the Mexico collection, the Guatemala collection, etc. the more images the better. If you don't have high expections, you'll likely come away happy. Please consider your postage costs when preparing to do this. And look at how sites showcase their collections for best results. It's more work, but the only way you're likely to get much out of it.
David
Login to Like
this post
08:17:02am
re: South America & Latin America Collection
I have not seen any collections for sale on this site. Am I correct?
Seems to be all single stamps. So I suppose doing country by country and stamp by stamp might be easiest.
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: South America & Latin America Collection
I suppose it all has to do with shipping costs. I could offer collections on Stamporama, but would not be able to sell anything because of the high international shipping costs. Perhaps if a collection would be taken apart (i.e. empty the stockbook or album), it might be worthwhile, but then again, you might as well concentrate on selling the more interesting items.
As far as the original question is concerned: the price you can get for such a collection depends on the effort you put into selling it. If you want to sell the lot as is, then the price will be relatively low. Advantage: you don't have to do any research or other work for it and accept that interesting items will not be noticed. Then again, that's what interests most buyers of such collections too.
Personally I would split this particular lot into 17 separate ones. 17 times a fairly low price is more than 1 low price for everything combined
Of course one could try and find the gems in the collection and sell these at a good price, but that will leave you with 90% or more relatively uninteresting stamps that will be harder to sell.
Login to Like
this post
11:12:22am
re: South America & Latin America Collection
Collections and larger lots are often offered for sale in the classified ads section of the Discussion Board. That is often a better method to sell such items than using auctions or approval books.
Again, however, it will depend on what it is that you have as has been stated previously.
Login to Like
this post
11:21:38am
re: South America & Latin America Collection
I'll try to help you out with your original question here. I spent a couple of months working up some excess old stock to sell at a show and ended u not being able to go .. long story.
One of the items was an old Blue International Jr - looked typically lightly remaindered a couple of times with some countries strong and others non-existent to weak. Used copies were typically mixed condition and a heavy tongue applied to hinge many of the mint stamps. You would have to plan to soak the majority of both used and mint.. I put together a folder of 650 stamps on pages (Mexico-123, Nicaragua 140, Paraguay 160, and Salvador 240). I priced it at #20 a bit over 3 cents a stamp without looking any up...... a couple of typical pages below. All early mint were reprints as is typically the case..
Hope that helps
Login to Like
this post
re: South America & Latin America Collection
I'm not sure this is the best thread to start with, but I'll rely on the moderator to decide this.
I'm interested to see that Mexico has quite a lot of stamps that refer in terms of their design to the pre-Columbian culture and heritage of the country. Similarly there are stamps of Peru that present Inca culture and heritage. This set me thinking - how many other Central and South American countries have issued stamps that acknowledge their early cultural heritage. Guatemala has lots of Resplendent Quetztals (did I spell that right, Phil?), but Venezuela seem to go big on 18th and 19th worthies, either military or political. Uruguay have delightful stamps with gauchos and cattle and there are lotsa llamas and even a vicuna. Elsewhere it looks like stamps reflect what was happening after the Europeans arrived, rather than before that.
I'm planning to open a little Latin American collection, just the stamps I like, and which seem to reflect the countries that issue them.
Any thoughts?
Strider - suffering in what we in UK call a heatwave. I even bought a straw hat today, feeling a bit self conscious. Not sure I'll be brave enough to wear it though!
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: South America & Latin America Collection
Strider, why not wear the straw hat...i saw on tv that people in the United Kingdom are very tolerent of others and what they do/wear. Ah the beatiful Quetzal...you spelled it correctly. If you are interested in Pre Colombian Latin America you might want to stick to the early conquests like Peru,and the area of Mexico,Guatmala and Honduras where the Inca,Mayans and Aztec built. We were on a cruise some years ago that stopped at some silly tourist market or you could take a tour of the Mayan temples at Tulum, i really enjoyed that.
Login to Like
this post
Auctions - Approvals
re: South America & Latin America Collection
No one has to agree with me, but I have calculated a "reasonable" selling price for similar collections in the past. I count the number of stamps in the collection and multiple it by 3 cents per stamp. I then calculate the CV of the collection and multiply it by 10%. I have been dumbfounded that the two numbers almost always equal each other. So, $200. for the collection in question.
Login to Like
this post
Auctions - Approvals
re: South America & Latin America Collection
What I have just stated has rekindled some memories.
I used to advertise that I buy stamp and post card collections, but stopped because it troubled me greatly to tell people how little their collections/accumulations were worth. I was repeatedly viewed as the "bad guy".
I recall vividly 2 collections that I evaluated and ended up telling the sellers that I just couldn't afford what they should sell for. I referred them elsewhere. That left them a little confused.
Login to Like
this post
re: South America & Latin America Collection
The content of the collection is the key.
If the original owner was a serious collector who acquired pre 1900 stamps then there might be some good value. Condition will be a major factor.
If these are modern with many duplicates then the $200 or more mentioned might be correct.
As noted, find a local club and bring it to them for evaluation and go from there - preferably not a stamp dealer. Also as noted if there are valuable ones don't let someone just pick those out.
Selling complete collections split into countries on Stamporama might might be an option if there is some value in them.
Either way you need to do some homework
Login to Like
this post
re: South America & Latin America Collection
I have had cases where i estimated a collection and the offer was rejected and then it was sold to a dealer for less than i offered. Odd, but they seem to prefer to sell to an experienced dealer for less than what a collector offered .
Login to Like
this post
re: South America & Latin America Collection
Hello again
I've just been sorting my stamps of Bolivia and I've come across the Tiahuanacu issue. I see they were issued in 1960, having been printed earlier but not issued. So why were they not issued when printed? They're very striking and original. Were they thought too primitive? I see from SG that the overprints intended as air mail weren't issued because the words "Air mail" weren't included in the overprint.
But that doesn't explain why the whole issue was withheld.
Getting into new countries is endlessly interesting!
Strider
Login to Like
this post
re: South America & Latin America Collection
Hello Strider,
I'd never seen this set until I saw your post and looked it up online.
They're quite strange designs. I wonder if the designer hoped for much finer printing and stronger colours?
The large 5,000 Bolivianos stamp looks amazing!
The example illustration in my SG Part 20 (South America) must be one of the worst in the catalogue!
Even with a magnifying glass I could just see the surcharge and very little else.
Nigel
Login to Like
this post
re: South America & Latin America Collection
I just looked at Colnect, where it says these stamps were originally produced in 1925. Looking at the other issues of Bolivia (and of other South American countries too) around that time, the Tiahuanacu set was way ahead of its time in design terms. And the decision to issue them was made 35 years later. Would they have been printed in 1925 and stored somewhere?
Amazing!
Login to Like
this post
re: South America & Latin America Collection
I've been using some of my time in lockdown getting my new Latin America collection going. It's been great fun! I'm not aiming at completeness, but at what looks interesting and affordable for me, mainly in the 1890 -1950 zone. I've looked at SG South and Central America, and noted the more interesting issues. There are lots! Railways and the big municipal buildings and the historical scenes - lots of battles. No wonder O'Higgins said South America was ungovernable! And a few paying homage to the pre-Columbian period. And nearly all countries produced issues recalling Queen Isabella's 500th (why was Ferdinand forgotten?).
Anyway, I've been steadily acquiring stuff from Ebay, delcampe and S2Go. I'm keeping an eye on the SOR approvals too, of course. I've now got some really nice stamps from each of the 20 mainland countries (think it's 20). Lots more to look for. And I've learned a lot about the history along the way.
I'm now hoping my latest purchases get through the postal systems without too much delay.
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.