Stamp Collecting: Value & Tips for Beginners

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the topic of stamp collecting, specifically focusing on determining the value of Soviet stamps from 1930-1991, grading stamps, and techniques for removing stamps from envelopes. Participants share their experiences and knowledge about the hobby, including cataloging and preservation methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using a Scott's Catalogue to determine the value of stamps and emphasize the importance of learning about cataloging.
  • Grading stamps is mentioned as a crucial aspect, with some noting that the value depends significantly on the grade of the stamp.
  • There is a discussion about the methods for removing stamps from envelopes, with suggestions including steaming and soaking, though participants express uncertainty about how these methods affect the grade and value of the stamps.
  • Some participants share personal anecdotes about their own stamp collections and experiences in collecting, including the emotional value of collections.
  • Concerns are raised about cleaning stamps and coins, with participants noting that cleaning can drastically reduce their value.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and uncertainty regarding the techniques for removing stamps and the implications for their value. There is no clear consensus on the best practices for preserving stamps or the impact of cleaning on value.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for careful handling of stamps to avoid reducing their value, but specific techniques and their effectiveness remain debated. The discussion also touches on the emotional aspects of collecting and the potential for loss in personal collections.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in stamp collecting, particularly beginners looking for guidance on valuation and preservation techniques, as well as those curious about the experiences of other collectors.

Mk
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Hi there, any stamp collectors? I just received a stockbook filled with about 200 Soviet stamps dating from 1930-1991. How could I determine the value, and what should I know about stamp collecting now?
 
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Mk said:
Hi there, any stamp collectors? I just received a stockbook filled with about 200 Soviet stamps dating from 1930-1991. How could I determine the value, and what should I know about stamp collecting now?

Don't lick them... that's for sure.

You'd have to get a Scott's Catalogue to determine the values. You'd have to learn more about Cataloguing.

You can search online for a list of Soviet Scott Catalogue numbers. That would be your easiest way of doing it. They show pictures with the number next to it. So, basically find the number and look up the value in the Catalogue.

Also, you would need to learn how to grade them. This can take some time though.
 
Grade them? "The number?"
 
JasonRox said:
Don't lick them...

:smile: :smile: :smile: THAT was funny!
 
I almost took that as an insult. :smile:
 
Mk said:
Stamp Collecting

Rats, I thought this was going to be about the non-physics sciences.
 
Mk said:
Grade them? "The number?"

Grading is the quality of the Stamp.

The number is the catalogue number so you can find out the worth, but then again the worth (value) depends a lot on the grade.
 
Oh man, I hope my mom still has my stamp collections, I had an incredible collection when I was little.

Some of m\y favorites were of gorillas from the Congo, but I had first issue hand canceled stamps from all over the world.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
:smile: :smile: :smile: THAT was funny!

:smile: :smile: I second that, because somehow, I think he was serious! :eek:
 
  • #10
cyrusabdollahi said:
:smile: :smile: I second that, because somehow, I think he was serious! :eek:

I was serious. :smile:

Apparently a lot of people do this because they like to stick them on paper, and then put it in a binder. It's what they used to do.
 
  • #11
Do people actually take the stamp off of an envelope they were mailed? How do you do that??
 
  • #12
Mk said:
Do people actually take the stamp off of an envelope they were mailed? How do you do that??

I have no clue how to do that. I'm not a Stamp Collector. I collect coins, so naturally I see Stamp Collectors too.
 
  • #13
JasonRox said:
I have no clue how to do that. I'm not a Stamp Collector. I collect coins, so naturally I see Stamp Collectors too.
You can easily steam them off the envelope.
 
  • #14
Evo said:
You can easily steam them off the envelope.

Is that good for the grade? I don't know.

You have to becareful at what you do to it. Sure it looks fine to an average person, but to a Stamp Collector that can cut the price by 80% or more!

Some people clean their coins, but I can tell. You can cut the price by 90% and I still won't buy it. I won't buy cleaned coins period. I don't even know anyone who does except possibly beginners.
 
  • #15
Mk said:
Do people actually take the stamp off of an envelope they were mailed? How do you do that??
Soak it in water. It will lift of easily with no harm to the stamp.
 
  • #16
larkspur said:
Soak it in water. It will lift of easily with no harm to the stamp.

Are you 100% sure about this?

Do you collect stamps?

Mk, I recommend that you do research on how to do it properly without reducing the value.
 
  • #17
JasonRox said:
Is that good for the grade? I don't know.

You have to becareful at what you do to it. Sure it looks fine to an average person, but to a Stamp Collector that can cut the price by 80% or more!

Some people clean their coins, but I can tell. You can cut the price by 90% and I still won't buy it. I won't buy cleaned coins period. I don't even know anyone who does except possibly beginners.
Same goes for antiques, cleaning them usually lessons the value.

I love watching "Antiques Roadshow" on PBS. Makes me sick sometimes though.

I HAD an 1909 VDB S penny that the Jaws of Death ate. :frown: It was in near mint condition.
 
  • #18
Evo said:
Same goes for antiques, cleaning them usually lessons the value.

I HAD an 1909 VDB S penny that the Jaws of Death ate. :frown: It was in near mint condition.

OUCH! I'm not a US Coin collector, but I do know that's a big coin.

Note: Mint condition doesn't make sense in the world of coins. :wink: We say uncirculated. :smile:

I find it funny how the coin grading is. If you say my coin is in good condition, that actually means very very very bad. So bad, that the date might not even be readable.
 
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  • #19
JasonRox said:
Are you 100% sure about this?

Do you collect stamps?

Mk, I recommend that you do research on how to do it properly without reducing the value.

I used to collect stamps and my uncle was a big collector and that is what he did.
Here is a site that describes the technique:
http://www.junior-philatelists.com/soaking_stamps.htm"

http://www.junior-philatelists.com/soaking_problems.htm"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #20
larkspur said:
I used to collect stamps and my uncle was a big collector and that is what he did.
Here is a site that describes the technique:
http://www.junior-philatelists.com/soaking_stamps.htm"

http://www.junior-philatelists.com/soaking_problems.htm"

Thanks for clearing that up. :approve:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #21
JasonRox said:
Note: Mint condition doesn't make sense in the world of coins. :wink: We say uncirculated. :smile:
Yep, I have a number of uncirculated coins, geeze, it's been so many years since I was into coin collecting. My ex stole the silver dollar collection I had, they went back to the 1790's some were quite valuable.
 
  • #22
Evo said:
Yep, I have a number of uncirculated coins, geeze, it's been so many years since I was into coin collecting. My ex stole the silver dollar collection I had, they went back to the 1790's some were quite valuable.

WHOA! I would have freaked out!

I told my mom to never give away my coin collection if I died or something. She gave away her moms coin collection and spent some of it. Dumbest thing you can do.
 
  • #23
JasonRox said:
WHOA! I would have freaked out!
I am very upset, but nothing I can do. I can't prove it was him in a court of law.
 
  • #24
Evo said:
I am very upset, but nothing I can do. I can't prove it was him in a court of law.

We can hope for bad karma though. :biggrin:
 
  • #25
JasonRox said:
We can hope for bad karma though. :biggrin:
:approve: We can hope. :smile:
 

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