Reply With QuoteStanley Gibbons is the obvious answer.
I have recently inherited a large collection - approximately 50-60 albums. The albums are all in excellent condition, and fall into two categories - UK 1840 through to the late 1990's, and then international covering from very early to around 1990's. None of this collection has ever been on the open market.
The bulk of the collection was put together in the late 1950's and 1960s, and there are, I believe, quite a large number of quite high value stamps ranging from unused penny blacks, tuppenny blues, ivory heads, misprints, sheets, £1 oranges, and a complete collection of penny reds (with the exception of plate 77), and because this collection was put together by someone who really knew his stuff, these are mostly high-grade quality.
There is a very substantial amount of stamps in this collection, with the vast majority of UK stamps represented from every era (Monarch's reign - with many represented multiple times), and what looks like a very comprehensive international collection from very early also.
The stamps are all properly sorted and presented. They are all stored securely in a paid for specialist facility in a temperature controlled environment.
So that gives you a very brief description.
However, although a collector of many things, stamps simply isn't one of my areas of interest. I can admire them for a few minutes, but I really am not interested in the incredible level of detail that serious stamp collectors have to know and be able to fully grasp to create and appreciate collection like this.
So I am looking to dispose of them. I need some recommendations for established specialist dealers (ideally in the South of England), with impeccable reputations, and who will be able to give a proper appraisal and perhaps buy them or sell them on my behalf.
I do have an idea of value (although I think the last valuation was probably about ten years ago).
Any pointers from TZ'er who know what they are talking about with this would be greatly appreciated.
So clever my foot fell off.
Stanley Gibbons is the obvious answer.
Speak to Stanley Gibbons in London. You will be able to take them to their offices in The Strand for an appraisal.
Thanks chaps, I am aware of Stanley Gibbons (and it may well be that's where I end up), but was wondering if there were other dealers worth considering?
Even getting this collection out of store and transported is going to be a not insignificant challenge, so was wanting to consider options.
So clever my foot fell off.
I would have thought that for a collection of this size and potential value they might well send somebody down to look at it in situ...Originally Posted by TheFlyingBanana
That's an excellent suggestion - I hadn't thought of that. I may well see if they can do that. Thanks!
So clever my foot fell off.
No advise to add but I'd love to see a few photos. Intrigued!
+1 to that! Would love to see some of this.
You’ll have to take some decent photos anyway if you’re going to succeed in tempting the appraiser from Stanley Gibbons to visit so you might as well post some up here!
Here you go chaps. The entire collection, pretty much, is actually photo recorded, but here are just a few pages of the many of the early GB ones that most people find interesting.
There are unused penny blacks, unused tuppenny blues, these weird ivory head ones - included reverse ivories - which are apparently very sought after and a couple of the many pages of Reds, which cover all the pplate numbers numerous times over (excluding plate 177 - of which only nine exist in the world).
I think the highest value single stamps in the collection are in the 5k bracket (and there aren't so many of them), and most will be a lot less, but there is a very great many of them, so I need to work out the best way to dispose of the entire collection - and obviously I won't get anywhere near book value from a dealer.
One of the things I do know about stamps is that the tiniest differences, ones that would be virtually imperceptible to anyone other than an expert make the difference between virtually identical stamps being worth a few quid to being worth a few hundred, or thousand. Some are worth more because they are unused, some are more because they are used but have a particulay post-mark on them, or a misprint, or any one of dozens of miniscule variations.
It's a bit bonkers really.
Shame I'm not much interested in stamps!
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Last edited by TheFlyingBanana; 20th February 2020 at 01:49.
So clever my foot fell off.
That they are already photographed should make things much easier.
Disappointed that you have some fakes though...
There actually are some fakes - but they are apparently also collectible as they were faked at the time. Fascinating that as soon as stamps were launched, some enterprising criminals immediately saw the opportunity in making and selling fakes.
So clever my foot fell off.
Do you need a valuation for insurance or are you considering selling them. If the latter, then I'd suggest Googling 'philatelic auctions' and 'stamp auctions' to find the options and then to seek their advice on how best to divide the collection for sale.
I know little about stamps but if You are selling I would think it best as soon as possible. It is an interest that is dwindling I would have thought.
I think you might be right - my understanding is that they reached their peak in the 80's and 90's.
I am going to sell it, as I really don't have the interest or the inclination to store it all.
So clever my foot fell off.
https://www.warwickandwarwick.com/ne...amp-collection … could be worth considering their suggestions.
The problem with auctions is that 'ringing', although illegal, still happens. I'm aware that dealers at specialist collectibles' auctions agree not to bid against each other at the sale … but one will … and the sale bids are thus over in a few seconds … then the dealers' ring has a separate auction amongst themselves in a nearby hotel room after the sale … and split the 'profit' between themselves.
You have a major task. Might be worth considering seeking and paying for the advice of an independent consultant/ broker and on his/her advice, splitting the collection to optimise the eventual sale proceeds. Given its potential value I'd consider paying e.g. 10% to 20% of eventual nett proceeds to a specialist broker … Finding such a broker might not be easy but given the collection's potential value could be cost and time effective … and better than putting all your eggs in one dealer's basket.
Good luck.
dunk
Last edited by sundial; 20th February 2020 at 14:12.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Lots of good advice on here .
To stop alleged ringing at an auction of your choosing , obtain a valuation from an expert ( Spinks /Stanley Gibbons & there are others )
Use the valuation as a reserve figure if you sell via an auction , maybe less a small margin , perhaps .
May I also suggest you do not sell to the “auction houses “ who buy on valuation days .
I have heard some horror stories !!
It also begs the question how can an auctioneer who is supposed to have the Vendors interests at heart also be the Vendor .
Be careful , there are , as in most fields today , some people who have very dubious morals .
It is worth “speculating to accumulate “as my father taught me , however speculate with buying the services and knowledge of people who can be trusted and are normally backed by SOFA , RICS or other recognised and respected professional body .
Good luck , philately is still currently healthy , for the right collection and specimens .
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
Last edited by Norbert; 20th February 2020 at 14:24.
Thank you all for some very good advice on this - really very helpful indeed.
Quite a bit to watch out for, and I am going to have to consider this carefully. While I do not want to spend too much time and effort in liquidating this collection, I also don't want to be completely shafted by unscrupulous dealers who will know that I am no expert in this field.
Great job chaps, I'm very grateful.
TFB
So clever my foot fell off.
So nothing whatsoever like collecting vintage Rolex, then? :-)
No, that's clearly perfectly sane by any measure.
PS - a good point, well made.
So clever my foot fell off.
Be careful with Stanley Gibbons. When my father died he left a pretty complete Polish collection, and the same with RAF first day covers. He kept meticulous records, with many stamps bought from Stanley Gibbons, and he suggested a value of £25k, possibly quite a bit more if the Polish collection was sold in New York. Stanley Gibbons suggested a total value of £3,000 - my mother used another agent (do not know whom) who sold £12,000 of items, and I retained the first day covers which included covers signed by Mountbatten, Lord Harris, King Hussein.
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