Sunday 28 August 2016

An Analysis 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.

To begin with, you should know that the way you store the stamps always affects their value when selling. As such, store them in a room that is free from moisture. Stamps are usually made using paper. When exposed to weather elements, they tend to fade in color. A bright green one for instance may turn to light green. When making an evaluation, a typical dealer will look at the difference in color as compared to when it was originally bought.

Texture is also an important factor in the valuation process. If the stamps you own are several years old, there is a high chance that they have lost the texture they originally had. Sadly, this is something irreversible. The best decision you can make in this case is getting in touch with an experienced dealer to try and find the right price for your possession. Although rare, there are stamps that are made using highly durable 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.

When dealing with collections stacked close together in a small box, find out whether there are any stuck together. Do not separate them on your own if you do not know how to go about it. If you do so, you may damage the whole lot. Find a competent expert to handle such issues. Most professionals can easily work on delicate collections without damaging them.

The person whose services you seek to make appraisals should have the necessary skills for the job. In business, there is nothing as disappointing as selling something for a price that is far less than what it is worth. Good dealers should posses a number of important qualifications.

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 plan on engaging in this type of trade for the long haul, it would be beneficial to study about it in detail. Do whatever it takes to master the different types of stamps available. Rare collections always cost more than those that are common. If you have the right knowledge, you will not have to hire professionals to do your bidding in future. It always feels great to take charge of your business.




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