Is there a book or website available that helps to identify stamps and their worth/rarity? I'm just starting out and want to arm myself with the right resources before I start. Any information you might have on how to grade stamps or find out stamp types would be helpful as well. Thanks a ton!
The best IMO is the Scotts Catalog. The one you need depends on what you intend to collect. If you intend to stay with US and related, Scotts Specialized is tops IMO. The thing is that the catalogs are a bit expensive. I believe they are in the $40 each range. They will give you all the info you ask for and then some.
What about using a slightly older catalog? Looking online, the newest one is expensive, but one from, say, 2002, is selling for about $1.99 + $4 shipping. If I plan to collect stamps from before 2002, would it still be worth purchasing? Or should I just go for the newest one?
You might go to this site and look around some first: http://www.1847usa.com/index.htm As online reference material goes, it is one of the best. For fair market value (not catalog value) you might check into this site: www.bidstart.com It used to be 'stampwants', and was super specialized in our hobby. They have expanded into antiques and collectibles, but they are still far more specialized than other auction sites like eBay. You can go to this site and click "stamps", then filter down to the country you want, and so on. Looking at the stamp you want to get a value on by Scott number, and looking at "buy it now" listings, you will find exactly what the stamp in question is going for within the hobby. It takes a bit of digging, just like trying to find a value on eBay, but it is as accurate and fair as you will find.
Most folks settle for a reference that is a few years old. I rely on a 2007 US Specialized, and for almost every issue it is correct and will remain so. The 'catalog value' will change from year to year, but 'CV' is only a general guide and never what you will pay for a stamp. Like I said, the best value estimate is what others are actually selling for on bidstart or eBay.
If you want to go real cheap (FREE), go to Mystic.com and request there free catalog. Its an excellent source on identifing US stamps. Used it for many years, before purchasing a 2009 Scotts US Specialized Catalog. When you order your free Mystic catalog, just be prepared to receive alot of offers in the mail from them. lol
I tried going to Mystic.com but the site was down from my end. Ratio, thanks for the heads up on the catalogs, I'll look for an inexpensive/relatively new one and pick it up once the stamps come in. Thanks for the site's too, they're a bit hard to navigate and search through, but probably because I don't yet understand all of the terms. I'm sure as time goes by I'll get better.
Thanks! I had just found it when Clyde mentioned the site in one of his "for Sale" threads. Even without a catalog, that site's a great resource for finding/identifying stamps! Very cool. Thanks for the resource.
You might want to look into purchasing there 3 binder US album. Its around $39, with shipping its about $50. Its the album I use. Its a great album, especially for the price. Plus you can buy the updates every year, for the new stamps.
I saw that, however, I'm a bit weary about getting an album with all the stamp slots. I'm considering buying one with blank slots as I'm not looking to collect all stamps, but rather, interesting or ones that I think are cool. I'm more into collecting stamps and documents that have interesting stories, rather than for rarity or completing the collection.
Thats fine. Thats whats great about stamp collecting, you can collect what YOU want. Everyone collects different things. Hope you enjoy your new hobby.
Thanks! I just ordered the 2011 Mystic Stamps Catalog, too! I've still got lots of questions, but I'll save them for new threads so we don't end up going off topic TOO much.
Thats great! I been collecting stamps for about 35 years. If you have any questions please ask. No question is stupid. I dont know everything about stamps, but ask them here, and you are bound to find someone who knows the answer. lol Enjoy!!!
Mike you should pick yourself up a couple of stock books until you decide what you want to turn into a collection, they keep the stamps safe and are inexpensive plus the stamps can be viewed
Yeah, I want to start with a stockbook in a 3-ring binder, along with some clear pages (the pouches) for covers and such with a page in it so they don't get bent. I think that would be a nice start to keep them safe.
Check out the Vario black 3 ring stock book pages from lighthouse. They are awesome IMO. Here is a link to lighthouse's vario pages. Now the descriptions are listed for both clear and black in whatever style you want. I prefer the black background. I like vario because the pages fit in any 3-ring binder you may have and don't have to the binder & slipcase like their other systems. http://www.lighthouse.us/epages/lig...s/leuchtturm_us/Categories/US/US_2203/US_2206
I use these albums for my stamps, way cheaper than lighthouse, and you can see all stamps,with dates of issue, blocks and coils. and you only have to print off the pages you want to use http://www.fte-shop.co.uk/download/sample.html i also use the site below for checking on colour variations and using topics and keywords makes looking for that rare stamp a lot easier, they also sell so it gives some indication as to the true value of your stamps. http://www.postbeeld.com/ hope this helps and on the last note, i have the scotts 2008 world album on DVD, that uses PDF files to show you every stamp and value for all countries, this i could send to you (for free) if you are interested Steve
