Selling a Collection
The Nottinghamshire Philatelic Society receives many requests about valuation and disposal of stamp collections. Valuation is very time-consuming, and consequently we trust that you will understand if we say that we have had to decide as a matter of policy in regard to all such queries from non-members of the Society, that we cannot offer more than the following general advice and suggestions:
1. Many such collections have been started in childhood but not followed up later in life. If accepted by an auctioneer at all, these are unlikely to fetch more than £10-£20. In our experience, single such collections might just as well be donated to charity shops.
2. On the other hand, collections which have been developed over a lifetime may well be of interest to a dealer/auctioneer – and public auction is as fair and reliable a way as any of ensuring that the best price is realised on the day. Collections assembled by one’s parents or grandparents will merit close inspection before disposal. But please note that even these may not raise at auction more than 10-20% of their apparent value as indicated by a catalogue such as Stanley Gibbons; unusually good or outstanding collections may perhaps attain 30-40% or so. Please note also that condition and presentation are vital: if stamps are torn, stained, stuck to the album page by damp or otherwise faulty, they are largely worthless. Disappointingly, even ranges of First Day Covers over several decades may well not repay the initial investment, since many thousands of people collected these items.
3. There are, of course, many dealers/auctioneers up and down the country.
Universal Philatelic Auctions: 4 The Old Coalyard, West End, Northleach, Glos GL54 3HE 01451 861111 , info@upastampauctions.co.uk is the largest stamp auction in UK..
Googling ‘Philately’ or ‘Stamp Collecting’ will bring more dealers to your PC screen. Here we restrict ourselves to mentioning three, since all are local and it may be convenient for you to contact them and seek their view on your material:
• The Stamp Centre (Curtis Rawson), Theatre Royal tram stop, Nottingham. (Open Tuesdays- Saturdays)
• Robin Hood Stamps, Rectory Road, West Bridgford (above Conservative office, open Fridays only).
• Nuthall Stamp Fair, bimonthly, details on this web site.
4. Pictorial and commemorative unused decimal currency British stamps are valid for postage at the current rates. The 'definitive stamps' which show only the late Queen's head are not valid for psotage after June 2023, but they may be exchanged for valid stamps using the "Swap Out" scheme, using a form and procedure detailed on the Royal Mail internet site. ( April 2024: First Class ordinary size £1.35; Second Class £0.85 ).