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Stamp collecting question

Poll

	Face value		2 votes (66.66%)
	10% above face value		No votes (0%)
	25% above face value		No votes (0%)
	50% above face value		No votes (0%)
	100% above face value		No votes (0%)
	Other (explain)		No votes (0%)
	Does he have that stamp of the upside-down plane?		No votes (0%)
	I miss licking stamps		No votes (0%)
	Total eclipse reminder 04/08/2024		1 vote (33.33%)
	I think unicorns are overrated.		No votes (0%)

3 members have voted

March 15th, 2019 at 3:57:06 PM permalink

Wizard

Administrator
Member since: Oct 23, 2012
Threads: 239
Posts: 6095

As many of you know, I collect all kinds of things. Stamps was always way down low on my list. I inherited a small collection from my grandfather that I doubt is worth much. I've also picked up collections of current stamps from my international travels.

Sadly, a fellow license collector I'm good friends with is getting old and has dementia and is selling off everything he collects. I've already spent about $20,000 on his license plates and coins. I've always resisted the stamps, but he is eager to sell and knows I'll give him a fair price. That said, he sent some of his collection, which are all commemorative sheets of new issues. They are all in mint condition and stored in wax envelopes. Here is what he sent me:

32-cent "Victory at Last"
29-cent Elvis
18-cent Save Mountain Habitats
29-cent minerals
29-cent 1980 Olympic games
20-cent state birds
29-cent Something space related, I think that meeting of US and Soviet astronauts in space.

When I lived in Baltimore I know you could go to the postal museum in Washington DC and buy sheets of lots of kinds of stamps. I loaded up on Nixon stamps, which I used for years. However, when they ran out, they ran out.

All that said, are these things worth anything more than face value? I have a feeling not. What do the philatelists on the forum say?

Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber

March 15th, 2019 at 4:23:59 PM permalink
terapined Member since: Aug 6, 2014 Threads: 73 Posts: 11791	I checked the Elvis stamp on ebay out of curiosity Worth 29 cents Sometimes we live no particular way but our own - Grateful Dead "Eyes of the World"

March 15th, 2019 at 4:36:07 PM permalink
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011	All of them together are worth under $10. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose.

March 18th, 2019 at 3:25:11 AM permalink
Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 239 Posts: 6095	Thanks for the advice guys. Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber

March 18th, 2019 at 5:24:09 PM permalink

Wizard

Administrator
Member since: Oct 23, 2012
Threads: 239
Posts: 6095

This is mostly for my own benefit, but here is the face value of everything:

Stamp	Sheets	Num per sheet	Postage	Product
Woodland Habitats	1	50	0.18	9
WWII	3	20	0.32	19.2
Elvis	1	40	0.29	11.6
Birds	1	50	0.2	10
Space	1	50	0.29	14.5
Olympics	1	35	0.29	10.15
Minerals	1	40	0.29	11.6
Total				86.05

Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber

March 18th, 2019 at 5:47:53 PM permalink

Evenbob

Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 146
Posts: 25011

Quote: Wizard
This is mostly for my own benefit, but here is the face value of everything:

Stamp Sheets Num per sheet Postage Product
Woodland Habitats 1 50 0.18 9
WWII 3 20 0.32 19.2
Elvis 1 40 0.29 11.6
Birds 1 50 0.2 10
Space 1 50 0.29 14.5
Olympics 1 35 0.29 10.15
Minerals 1 40 0.29 11.6
Total 86.05

I didn't know you had sheets, I thought
you had 4 stamp squares.

If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose.

March 18th, 2019 at 7:28:23 PM permalink
Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 239 Posts: 6095	Quote: Evenbob you had 4 stamp squares. Yep, sheets. I have sheets of Nixon stamps I proudly purchased myself somewhere here. Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber