Distance They Traveled Is Not a Factor

Question: Having been associated with travel agencies for several years, I have many stamps from many countries, all canceled. Do they have value to collectors? If so, how do I dispose of them?--H.P.

Answer: It is very unlikely that “commercial mail” stamps are worth much. The regular and airmail issues used to mail letters and packages to the United States are so common and readily available that it is unlikely that you have stamps of significant value.

If you have high-denomination stamps, that is a different story. For example, a group of 1-pound stamps from Great Britain might sell for 25 cents each if clean and with normal cancels. Show your stamps to a stamp dealer.

Q: I collect UPU stamps commemorating 100 years of postage stamps, issued in 1974. Is there a list of all countries in the world that issued such stamps?--R.F.S.

A: The Universal Postal Union (UPU) was established in 1874 to settle postal disputes between nations. In 1974 a number of countries issued stamps honoring the centenary of the UPU. Write to the American Topical Assn., Box 630, Johnstown, Pa. 15907, and ask them your question. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Q: What is the best way to show stamps without spending a lot of money and using hinges? I am new at stamp collecting, and I have gone through three ways of displaying stamps. Which is best?--M.B.

A: Hinging stamps with good quality, peelable, glassine hinges into a stamp album is the way that most people start stamp collecting. There are things that you learn by doing this, including how to handle stamps without damaging them and how to find their “place” and therefore their identity in the album.

So I recommend that you use hinges for canceled stamps or for those with disturbed gum. If the stamp is rare or valuable, then maybe it shouldn’t be hinged. You can buy stock books and approval cards made of clear plastic into which you can place stamps for long-term storage without hurting them.

Stamp shops have used albums, including the newer “hingeless” single-country albums, which they sell for a fraction of the new-album price. You have to look around and visit a few dealers to see what is available.

It is not cheap to protect a large stamp collection, but if you plan to spend money buying nice stamps, then it makes sense to spend a little more money for a quality album or stock book to protect your philatelic treasures.