The value (price)placed on stamps depends on many things including: the condition of the stamps, the nature of the buyer and seller, and the manner of the sale.

Catalog values are for nearly perfect stamps. Most catalogs have a description of the stamp condition their prices reflect. Heavy cancellations, poor centering, slight perforation damage, or hinge remnants typically reduce the value by 10 to 40%. More serious faults such as unnoticeable thins or tears, perforations cutting into the stamp design, or significant fading typically reduce the value by 50 tp 90%. Noticeable thins, tears, or holes reduce the value by 90% or more.

Investors are usually looking for perfect condition stamps and are willing to pay full or even over catalog prices. Investors usually want mint stamps with full, original gum having no stamp hinge marks. Specialists usually have all of the common stamps in their field, but they are searching for the rare varieties and may be willing to pay 70 to 100% of catalog when they find them. Specialists are more tolerant of stamp hinge marks. General collectors (like me) are willing to buy anything they do not already have if it is cheap enough. General collectors are less particular about condition of stamps as long as the stamps are basically sound. General collectors are willing to use damaged stamps as fillers until a better condition stamp can be found (as long as the damaged stamp is cheap). General collectors are usually not willing to pay more for no hinge marks–they collect stamps, not gum.

Selling stamps is a matter of finding a buyer at your price. Finding a buyer willing to pay top price may take a lot of time and effort. Stamps at bargain prices sell faster. Dealers buy stamps, but they are buying to resell at a profit. It is reasonable for a dealer to pay 50% of what he or she expects to sell the stamps for (and their sale price will probably be less than Catalog).

Catalog values also reflect the price you would expect to pay if the seller is finding the specific stamp for you or identifying the stamp by country and catalog number. If you have to search through a box of loose stamps to find something you want, it should be priced at half catalog or less. Currently and for the last 30 years I have bought stamps sent to me through the mail on approval. The stamps are individually priced at 30 to 40% of catalog. I have bought many stamps this way. I have also received stamps on approval at approximately catalog value. I have not bought many of them.

Collections or large lots sell for a smaller percentage of catalog. The buyer usually does not want all of the collection but is buying it for some portiont. If the buyer is not a dealer, it may be difficult to sell or trade the unwanted portion so he is willing to pay only 10 to 30% of catalog (or less) for the lot.

The percentage of catalog value that one can expect to pay (or receive) depends upon the country. Canal Zone stamps usually are not found at much less than 70 to 80% of catalog. Unused UN stamps are frequently available at face value or slightly less (regardless of catalog value). The catalog is not always right. Some higher priced stamps seem to be relatively common and frequently heavily discounted. Other minimally priced stamps are very difficult to find at any price.

Ultimately the value of any stamp is whatever a buyer is willing to pay. A seller can always reject low offers and continue to try to find a buyer at a higher price. Some dealers are content to wait and attend many shows to get the highest price. Others are willing to take a small profit to insure sales and gain from high turnover.

One of the pleasures of collecting is “the thrill of the hunt”. Happy hunting!

EDITOR’S NOTE:Did you read the comment from Jack at the top of this page? Do you have any ideas to support his opinion? Or do you disagree with Jack? Use the Information form to write down your thoughts and send them via email. And don’t worry about spelling, etc, most of that my word processor will do if I miss anything. Both Jack and I would love to stir up some enthusiastic replies.