Saturday, September 3, 2016

An Overview Of Stamp Appraisals

By Gary Bailey


If you have a collection of stamps safely stored in your home, you should consider selling it. There are many dealers out there who are willing to pay a fair price once stamp appraisals are finalized. Before estimating the value of your collection, it is important to understand how to go about getting the best deals possible.

For starters, pay close attention to the manner in which you store your stamps as it can affect their physical appearance in the long term. To keep them safe, make sure the location you choose for storage purposes is devoid of moisture. The primary material used in the manufacture of stamps is paper. It is common knowledge that moisture always causes the fading of colors in light materials. For example, a bright green color can turn a shade lighter. This is a factor that will be looked at when making an appraisal.

Texture also plays a major role in valuation. If any of your stamps is many years old, it must have definitely lost some texture. This aspect cannot be reversed. If you find yourself in this situation, find an extensively experienced dealer to price your collections appropriately. As an alternative, you may consider only stacking stamps that consist of tough materials.

When checking for the condition of stamps, dealers never forget to look at the perforation of the gum used to attach them to envelopes. If your collection has very little gum remaining, leave every piece as it is. Do not be tempted to add a little more gum purchased from a retail outlet. Professional dealers always know how to tell whether what they are looking at is original or refurbished.

In case you have stacked them together in a box, check if they are stuck together. If this is the case, avoid trying to separate them. This is because you risk damaging your entire lot in the process. Instead, get in touch with a professional in the trade. Most professionals have the experience required to do such work.

When looking for a professional to handle your appraisals, ensure you get the right person for the job. You do not want to end up selling your stamps for less than they are worth. There are a number of qualities that an ideal dealer should have.

The most important one is having membership in a professional body in their trade. Being a member of a professional association always guarantees a dealer access to useful information concerning postage stamps. Such professionals always know how to price collections and the best techniques to use to ensure they remain in mint condition.

If you dream of engaging in this line of work for a significantly long time, make sure you study the trade and understand everything it entails. Get a good grasp of the different characteristics of stamps, regardless of their origins. A rare collection is bound to cost more than a common one. You will not need expert help once you have a good understanding of the business. The control you have is what will give you the motivation to continue.




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