Stamp Collecting Price Guides

Many people who collect stamps do so just because they enjoy the hobby. The main value of the stamps is very relative. They care about the stamps they have collected because they remember the fun they had in discovering the stamp or receiving the stamp in the mail. In other words, these people won’t be selling their stamps any time soon. Other collectors enjoy stamp collecting but also hope to make money through stamp collecting or hope to achieve admirable collections.

Whether the collector is interested in the monetary value of his stamps or is simply collecting for the joy of the hobby, most stamp collectors at one time or another consult stamp collecting price guides. Most stamp collecting guides are updated every year and are available for purchase at most every bookstore or online. These stamp collecting price guides are very helpful to the serious collector or the recreational collector.

To understand these guides you need certain information about your stamp. If you think your stamp is rare, your catalog will either confirm this or burst your bubble. That is one of the top reasons for consulting a stamp collecting price guide. You may have a very old stamp that simply isn’t rare. We tend to think that anything that verges on being antique is rare. That is not the case. The first stamp made is called the Penny Black. It is well over a hundred years old but if not really considered rare because the market is flooded with used Penny Black stamps. You would expect to pay about $20.00 for a good Penny Black. Now if you have a Penny Black stamp that has never been used, you have a much rarer stamp and will be told the price in the guide,

When you attend a stamp show or just visit a store that sells stamps suitable for collecting, you should always take the latest guide with you. Most stamp sellers are honest but every once and a while you might meet one who is trying to make a big profit. If you take stamps to the show to trade or sell, having the guide with you will add credibility to your offers.

Another important factor in pricing stamps is the condition of the stamp. As with every other product in the world, the condition is very important. Looks are everything just like in life. If your stamp is brightly colored and not faded, it will fetch a higher price. If the stamp is in pristine condition, it is considered highly desirable. Torn, dirty, or stained stamps are not really collectable. If your stamp is torn, it is pretty much worthless unless it has sentimental value.

The cancellation marks on the stamp either add or detract from the value of the stamp. If the cancellation marks are faint, your stamp is worth more than a stamp that has a dark mark on it.

Another consideration to consider besides the stamps condition is the overall image on the stamp. If the image is centered perfectly on the stamp, it is considered superb. Any centering problems detract from the value of the stamp. This is particularly important with older stamps.

After a thorough study of your stamps, you are ready to purchase and use a stamp collecting price guide. These guides are invaluable to collectors whether they are collecting for fun or profit.

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