What’s a stamp collection worth?

Alot of people have collections of things handed down from parents or estates. The question then arises as to a value. The question asked should be “What value did the person collecting put on it?” If the value is high, a fortune, then the collection was an investment and not from a hobby.

What is my stamp collection worth? A good question. It is worth as much as the next person thinks. Everything I collect in my collection is for fun, for my personal enjoyment and no more. There are some items that have some value, but most is very ordinary things. Most of the items in my hoard of stuff can’t be found in a catalogue, because odd things are of interest to me. I question why some stamp items are and where do they come from.

Although I concentrate on a few countries, there are things from all over the world that are curiosities, which may be worthless, money wise, but worth the world to me, because I have it.

This is where catalogues come into the picture. Finding items in a catalogue gives you direction and an indication of price, but that item in your possession might be worth more in your hands, because it is a rare use of a stamp, or postmarked from a special place. Another person looking at the same item would toss it aside into the junk pile, being of no interest.

Catalogues are for reference. They are made by people to be used by stamp dealers to set prices for stamps they sell. Stamps that sell at auctions are in a total different price bracket, because it is the bidder that determines the selling price. If there is something of interest in a lot, my bidding will reflect my desire for possession and value becomes secondary. If I like it, I want it.

So, don’t ask me how much my stamp collection is worth, because it has no value. What will happen to my collection when I die? Good question to those who look after my affairs. If everything goes to plan, all the collection will pass onto someone who will get to have more fun with it. Who cares about catalogue value and the wealth in a collection? Worrying about a valuable stamp collection takes all the fun out of it. Let’s have fun.

Walter Kerber is a long-time member of the Lethbridge Philatelic Society