Stamps and Postal History

If you'd like to get an appraisal of your stamps, one of the fastest and easiest ways is with Value My Stuff Now. Whether you have a one-of-a-kind original antique stamp or a whole collection of unusual stamps, our online stamp specialist can give you an honest and objective stamp appraisal within 48 hours. Simply upload a photograph to get started. Our clients also use our online stamp valuation service to find out the value of a stamp before buying it from an auction, a dealer, eBay or privately. The valuation we provide will give you a useful guide, letting you know whether the price you're paying is reasonable and if the item is a good investment. Today, stamp collecting is still one of the most popular hobbies, as one can easily start one's own collection with only a few stamps. With continuously growing internet selling platforms, there is quite a large offer of stamps. Stamps have become one of the most popular categories on eBay. One of the most important areas of stamp collecting is the study of the postal service which started in the 1400's and is referred to as Postal History. Our expert will give you an insight into this fascinating world. 

Our Stamp Expert

Our stamp expert has worked for one of the two leading auction houses in London for over 30 years and has unrivalled knowledge within this field of expertise, his career spanning 46 years as a stamp valuer and auctioneer. With stamp collecting still being one of the world's top collecting fields, this area of expertise provides a fascinating journey into the history of countries and their way of posting, communicating and liaising throughout the ages.

The Market for Stamps

Collecting stamps, even though fascinating, is quite a difficult area to collect in and one either needs to be very knowledgeable or else well advised. According to many experts, the stamp market is not really driven by investors but much more by true collectors. With a growing number of collectors entering the market recently, rare items increase in value. On 13th June 2009, Siegel Auction Galleries in New York sold an example of the 3-cent 1880 American Bank Note Company Special Printing for $140,000. Only fourteen examples of this stamp are recorded, making this one of the rarest stamps around. It is particularly interesting to consider that printing errors can really add value to stamps. Inverted images, wrong or missing colors, misplaced or inverted design elements, wrong stamp paper, wrong watermarks or double impressions did occur through the age of stamp production and this has made some specimens very collectable and sought after. Inverted ‘Jenny’ is probably the most famous error stamp. It was first issued in May 1918 and featured a Curtiss JN-4 airplane which was printed upside down by mistake. Only one sheet was discovered and bought at that time from the New York avenue post office by William T. Robey. The sheet was later divided, as stamps would be worth more separately. Today inverted ‘Jennys’ are highly valuable. On 14th November 2007, Siegel Auction Galleries sold one for $850,000 (excluding buyer’s premium). On 19th October 2005, the same auctioneer sold an inverted ‘Jenny’ plate block for $2,700,000 (excluding buyer’s premium).

Rare Stamp Collectors

As with any collectable, stamp collecting is driven by passion. Among great stamp collectors was Thomas Keay Tapling (1855-1891), who was a Victorian businessman. He bequeathed his huge collection to the British Library after his death, enabling the Library to create a Philatelic Department, which is now one of the largest collections in the world. Tapling’s collection is the only major one formed during the 19th century that has remained intact. Thomas Keay Tapling owned many stamps with errors. ‘The Cape of Good Hope’ 1861 4d., printed in vermillion instead of blue in a pair with the normal, must be one of the most noteworthy.

Many other collectors put together a tremendous number of stamps. Over 2004 to 2006, Sotheby’s sold the collection formed by Sir Gawaine Baillie (1934-2003). He was an amateur motor racing driver, industrialist and the owner of the estate surrounding Leeds Castle. He was deeply fond of stamp-collecting and amassed the most comprehensive collection of stamps of Great Britain and her Empire. It required ten auctions by Sotheby’s to sell the whole collection, in London, New York and Melbourne. It was expected to achieve a total of £11 million and eventually made £15 million. Among top lots was one of the finest multiples of the 1840 two pence blue that sold for £100,800 in London, on 24th September 2004.

Get your old stamps valued today

Getting a rare stamp appraised from Value My Stuff Now is quick, easy and confidential. Simply upload a photograph and tell us anything else you know about the stamp such as provenance or any other background information. Within 48 hours, our specialist will evaluate the item and let you know its value. To get started, simply upload photographs of the item. The online art valuation may also be used for insurance purposes (subject to your insurance company accepting such certificates) or simply to satisfy your own curiosity!

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