| Message: |
Dear Mr Dawson
It seems from what you say that you are considering retaining some of the collection and perhaps building on it. In that case it would benefit you to join our Society. Depending on where you are located you may be able to come to Society meetings, meet experienced philatelists, obtain views on your material, sell through the society's exchange packet and auction, obtain up to date catalogues at a discount etc.
You can insure your collection through, for example, Wardrop & Co. Ltd, PO Box 772, Coggeshall, Colchester, CO6 1UW, tel: 01376 563764, e-mail ins@wardrop.co.uk.
As you rightly identify quality is important in determining value. Market factors also are key - some areas of German philately are less popular than others, or say like modern day issues can suffer from over supply. Forged stamps and/or postmarks can be a problem. Mint/unmounted mint affects prices. How and where stamps are offered for sale can affect realisations. Very broadly cheap stamps generally stay cheap and may only realise as little as one twentieth of the catalogue value, whereas the better stamps generally increase in value over time and, depending on condition and other factors, may net something between 50% and the full catalogue value.
The more carefully you go about it, obtaining knowledge from fellow collectors, the better you are likely to do in the long run. More importantly in that way one's enjoyment in collecting grows.
Regards
Giles, Chairman G&CPS |
