Condition a Price Factor

Question: In 1932 during my youth, my father gave me his stamp collection, which a family friend mounted in a 1924 international postage stamp album. The stamps were not professionally handled and are not in good condition today. Most have postmarks and no gum.

A number of years ago I made an attempt to sell them to a local outlet. They were so disinterested that they would not even look through the book.

The U.S. stamps go back to 1890. There are stamps from many nations. To list a few: Argentina 1888-1889, Austria 1858-1883, Belgium 1869-1884, Denmark 1870-1882, France 1849 and up, and so forth through the alphabet.

I find it difficult to believe these stamps are valueless and of little interest. So many are around 100 years old and irreplaceable regardless of condition. I would like to sell them for the best possible price.--W.K.R.

Answer: Your story is a perfect copy of tales told daily by people who wish to get some money from a family stamp collection that is old. The problem is that many old stamps are indeed close to worthless because of the tremendous quantities made then and still available today, because of lack of demand or poor stamp conditions that shatter the market value of the collection.

Go to another dealer. It is like trying to sell a car or an antique chair. If one dealer doesn’t want it, try another. If your stamps are truly valuable, someone will eventually recognize it. A knowledgeable dealer will not tell you your stamps are worthless if they are valuable.

collect, but don’t expect to get rich from it. Earlier U.N. material is more valuable.

Q: Is there a society for Dutch stamp collectors in the United States?--E.K.

A: Membership in the American Society for Netherlands Philately costs $8 per year. For more information, write to the membership secretary: Harold F. MacDonald, 2354 Roan Lane, Walnut Creek, Calif. 94596. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Stamp Calendar

May 2-4--Stamp EXPO ’86 at the Holiday Inn, 1850 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. Sponsored by the International Collectors Society. Special show cancel. Stamp and cover dealers will be present to buy and sell. Hours: Friday noon-7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for senior citizens and children 12-16, free for under 12. Free parking. Telephone (818) 997-6496.

Stamp News

The 350th anniversary of the settling of Connecticut will be commemorated in a 14-cent postal card. First day of sale is April 18 at Hartford, Conn. 06101.

The 22-cent Duke Ellington commemorative in the U.S. Postal Service’s Performing Arts Series will have its first-day sale April 29 in New York, N.Y. 10001.

Barry Krause, a member of several national stamp-collecting organizations, cannot answer mail personally but will respond to philatelic questions of general interest in this column. Do not telephone. Write to Your Stamps, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.